An official government rule published this week citing a shortage in farmland and food crops may force China's oil companies to cancel plans to explore large-scale production of biofuel. Losses in farmable land continue to cause problems for China.
"Rules that China published this week are aimed at preventing "a mad rush of companies jumping on the bandwagon" of making fuels from plants and animals."
"China National Petroleum Corp. is among companies planting Barbados nuts, yams and other crops that can be turned into fuels for cars. Such projects will be supported only as long as there is an adequate supply of grain, the Finance Ministry said last month, to avoid having to import food for the 1.3 billion people in China. Corn prices on the Dalian Commodity Exchange rose to a record Friday."
"Construction, pollution and natural disasters are decreasing the land area China has available for food crops."
"The amount of land that had been set aside for the wheat crop but was not fit to be farmed this year jumped 24 percent, the Shanghai Securities News reported last week."
FULL STORY: China's need for crops may curb biofuel plans

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

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.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont