Earth-sheltered houses save some residents of Longmont, CO from excessive heat and cold while cutting energy bills.
Built during the 70s Arab oil embargo to save on energy bills, residents of rural colorado are again enjoying the benefits of using natural materials and innovative technology to save on expenses while adding comfort. With no change in weather patterns or oil prices in sight, such environmental innovations may become more common.
"Like all earth-sheltered homes... is built into a knoll on the north. Double-paned 4-by-8-foot windows cover the south side of the house, and six overhead skylights fill the interior with sunshine. ... the prominent south-facing windows don't take in as much heat or light in the summer when the sun is higher in the sky. The earth packed around the outer walls on the north and east sides of the house keep the place cool."
FULL STORY: Staying Grounded

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Bend, Oregon Zoning Reforms Prioritize Small-Scale Housing
The city altered its zoning code to allow multi-family housing and eliminated parking mandates citywide.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

LA Denies Basic Services to Unhoused Residents
The city has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for trash pickup at encampment sites, and eliminated a program that provided mobile showers and toilets.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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