Commemorate the 51st World Environment Day with this curated list of Planetizen articles highlighting research and projects that promote a healthier, more sustainable world.
It’s World Environment Day, a global celebration that has been held annually on June 5 since 1973. According to its official website, “World Environment Day is a global platform for inspiring positive change. People from more than 150 countries participate in this United Nations international day, which celebrates environmental action and the power of governments, businesses and individuals to create a more sustainable world.” This year the event is being hosted by Saudi Arabia with a focus on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience.
In honor of this global commemorative date, Planetizen’s editors have pulled together a roundup of recent articles highlighting studies and initiatives in cities and rural communities across the United States aimed at protecting and enhancing environmental and public health.
Here’s a list of recent headlines highlighting inspiring environmental research and projects:
- Planting for the Future: The Urban Trees of Tomorrow
- WHO Resource Database Links Planning and Public Health
- Planting Trees Where They are Most Needed
- The Benefits of Trees
- Regenerating and Healing Land Through Parks
- Sibling Study Highlights Impact of Green Neighborhoods on Public Health
- The Future of Federal Funding for Green City Initiatives
- Transforming Landfills into Parks
- The Promise of Urban Food Forests
- Rewilding the Golf Course
- New Documentary Highlights Regenerative Agriculture and Climate Change
- Latest Trends in Parks and Recreation
- Rochester Updating Urban Forest Master Plan
- Planning for Trees in Los Angeles
- San Francisco's Presidio Earns Fifth 'Green Flag' Award
- Tree Folio NYC Aims to Monitor Urban Forest in Real Time
How Los Angeles' Urban Parks Battle Climate Change
An overview of how Los Angeles County’s Department of Parks and Recreation is creating projects that tackle the effects of climate change, by planner Clement Lau.
Parks: Essential Community Infrastructure — and a Smart Investment
Even during times of budget constraint, continued investment in parks is critical, as they provide proven benefits to public health, safety, climate resilience, and community well-being — particularly for under-resourced communities.
EPA Awards $267 Million to Clean Up and Reuse Contaminated Sites
The EPA is investing the funds to clean up and redevelop contaminated sites nationwide, supporting economic growth, community revitalization, and environmental restoration.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion
Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.
NYC DOT wants faster, more permanent street upgrades
The city is examining ways to build more concrete infrastructure without getting entangled in 'decades-long' projects.
'Something we’ve never seen before:' rising utility rates could strain city finances nationwide
Data centers, climate change and other factors have caused utility rates in the United States to increase by 38% since 2020.
Trump to overrule local leaders, lease millions of acres of America’s Pacific Island territories’ seafloors to mining companies
International law says that the Indigenous people of America’s territories have a right to prior and informed consent regarding projects that impact their countries.
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.
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
