A recent article from Richard Florida shows that the size and density of cities offers considerable advantages to the environment, beyond what is commonly understood.
While several studies have demonstrated that the "size and density of cities confers considerable economic advantages", Florida aims to show that size and density also benefit the environment, in less well understood ways.
"That larger and denser cities and metro areas might be energy efficient makes intuitive sense," Florida states, as is reflected in decreased encroachment on natural habitats and increased energy efficiencies. But, he continues, "the idea that their emissions might actually be lower than smaller cities' seems like a stretch."
However, by parsing CO2 emissions data with colleagues Kevin Stolarick and Jose Lobo of Arizona State University, Florida confirms that as such emissions rise alongside the economic output of metro areas, they do so at a declining rate. "In other words, increasing metropolitan output is associated with decreasing emissions."
"When it comes to being green, bigger really is better."
Read the full story: Why Bigger Cities Are Greener
How Zoning Affects Greenhouse Gas Emissions
As the urgency of the climate crisis increases, a paper in the Notre Dame Law Review argues that increased density is not a universally effective strategy to reduce emissions and that different strategies are needed for low-carbon places versus high-carbon ones.
Dallas suburbs are turning their downtowns into small towns
Four Texas towns are embracing walkability and density in their downtowns.
Yet again, Seattle’s density zoning update is hit with delays
The city must now examine the ‘maximum possible development’ under a future zoning scenario, rather than the ‘maximum likely development.’
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Malls are becoming the midtowns of the future
Mall and office park redevelopments are a generational opportunity to create new nodes of urbanity.
NYC breaks ground on anti-flooding infrastructure project
New York City's new system will reduce stormwater flows to local sewers by 90%.
One Kentucky town’s secret to affordable housing
The Smoketown Community Land Trust has already built seven affordable homes for community members.
Houston gains petal-shaped cooling infrastructure to make streets more ‘delightful’
The city has installed the pavilions along 15 blocks in Houston.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority