New report calculates the economic and environmental impact of the dramatic loss of trees in the Houston area due to sprawl and development.
"Using satellite imagery and aerial photography, [a]nonprofit organization [American Forests] documented the gradual decline of the region's urban canopy, an area covering 3.2 million acres, as a result of sprawl and development...While the study shows today's trees are providing financial and ecological benefits worth millions of dollars, millions more would have been saved and the environment would have remained cleaner if more trees had been retained and protected during the study period." [Link to 12-page report in PDF format (1.04MB - approx. 2.5 minutes at 56kbps). Report includes color maps.]
Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan
FULL STORY: Urban Ecosystem Analysis for the Houston Gulf Coast Region
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.
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.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie