Earlier this week we brought you stunning images of global urban growth as captured by Landsat, NASA's longest running satellite imagery program. These images capture the dramatic changes to some of America's natural landscapes.
In 1972, NASA was gearing up to launch the Landstat satellite, and Americans were waking up to the fact that the landscape was changing really, really fast. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Landstat launch, NASA took nominations for areas that have undergone great change over the last four decades, and released customized images of their transformation, as seen from space.
The images include both urban and natural areas, the latter of which are no less transformed than the former. Although the greatest change in Lee County, Florida, came from development, the transformation of Trinity County, California was driven by logging. In North Central Colorado, the images focus on the impact of fire suppression and pine beetle outbreaks on forest lands.
NASA has also released a tutorial to allow data geeks to run their own queries, as well as imagery of dramatically transformed regions around the globe. These include Dubai and the Pearl River Delta in China, whose transformation from from an agricultural backwater to an industrial (and pollution) powerhouse of 36 million residents is captured in eerily beautiful swirls of reds and blues.
Thanks to Rachel Proctor May
FULL STORY: Watch the American Landscape Change as Seen from Space
What Does Sustainability Mean in Space?
NASA is developing a sustainability strategy to clean up space debris and plan for the future as near-earth orbit becomes more cluttered.
Train on the Moon? US to Explore Lunar Railway
Program proponents say this “visionary” endeavor “heralds a new era of human presence and economic activity beyond Earth.”
Mars Perseverance Rover and the Future Colonization of Mars
The 2020s is the decade of Mars. Last week NASA's Perseverance rover became the sixth American robot to land on the red planet, and the third visitor this month. Where are we going with Mars, who will get us there, and what is the ultimate goal?
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.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.
Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.
Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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