America's Most Polluted Cities

Despite better news all around for the quality of the air in America's urban environs, there is still much work to be done, especially for those making the American Lung Association's annual survey of the country's most polluted cities.

1 minute read

April 25, 2013, 11:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


First the good news. "The American Lung Association's annual 'State of the Air' report -- based on EPA findings for 2009 through 2011 -- found that the three types of air pollution they track have all declined," reports Les Christie. The report's authors credit the Clean Air Act with helping to "prevent 160,000 deaths in 2010 (the last year data was available); avoid 1.7 million asthma attacks; and reduce hospital admissions and emergency room visits by 86,000 each."

"Still," say the authors, "over 131.8 million people—42 percent of the nation—live where pollution levels are too often dangerous to breathe." And though "California has led the nation in implementing clean-air programs," polluted air remains a challenge throughout the state. "Four cities in the Golden State -- BakersfieldFresnoHanford, and Los Angeles -- are in the top 10 in all three categories of pollution and have been for years," notes Christie. "Bakersfield had the worst air quality for any metro area for the third year in a row."

Wednesday, April 24, 2013 in CNN Money

Aerial view of homes on green hillsides in Daly City, California.

Depopulation Patterns Get Weird

A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.

April 10, 2024 - California Planning & Development Report

Aerial view of Oakland, California with bay in background

California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million

Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.

April 11, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

A view straight down LaSalle Street, lined by high-rise buildings with an El line running horizontally over the street.

Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing

Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.

April 10, 2024 - Chicago Construction News

Aerial view of Interstate 290 or Eisenhower Expressway in Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant

Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.

22 minutes ago - Streetsblog Chicago

Officials cutting a ceremonial red ribbon at Skyline Ranch Park in Santa Clarita, California.

New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley

The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.

April 18 - The Signal

Workers putting down asphalt on road.

U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause

A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.

April 18 - Los Angeles Times

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.