Energy

The Benefits of Urban Forests

Poor air quality has led to an explosion of a health problems among vulnerable populations, claims the American Society of Landscape Architects. This video explains how urban forests provide environmental benefits to densely populated cities.

December 15, 2011 - American Society of Lanscape Architects

The Unbelievable Mass of Walmart

When Walmart comes to your town and wants to build a SuperCenter, you may not understand the sheer magnitude of the entity that it is. This helpful infographic explains how huge the world's largest retailer really is.

December 15, 2011 - Frugal Dad

How Planning is Like Growing Tomatoes

An organic system is rarely the sum of its parts. Nothing demonstrates this as clearly as sinking your teeth into a store-bought tomato, writes Ben Brown.

December 15, 2011 - PlaceShakers

Communities Grapple for Land Control Amid Gas Drilling

In one Pennsylvania township and elsewhere, gas drilling companies are getting zoning concessions to drill on private property. The industry is standing its ground as communities voice their opposition.

December 15, 2011 - The New York Times

European Cyclist's Federation (ECF) Study on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emmissions

In the fight against climate change, it is still unclear how, according to SustainableCitiesCollective, "the world’s nations will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve limited temperature rise." A recent ECF study sheds light on the topic.

December 14, 2011 - Sustainable Cities Collective

Folding Bikes Gain Popularity in Brazil

Maria Fernanda Cavalcanti, a resident of Brazil, writes that folding bicycles "...have been catching the attention of urban cyclists everywhere."

December 14, 2011 - TheCityFix.com

NYC Gets to Work on "Green Zoning" Rules

New York has created new zoning rules, now officially under review for approval, that combat the current zoning's sometimes impeding effect on green building.

December 14, 2011 - Crain's New York Business

Exxon Predicts Energy Future For World At 2040

By 2040, half of all cars will be hybrids or running on alternative fuels; energy demand will be flat for the developed world but will increase 60% for developing nations, and non-conventional oil sources will handily meet the demand of 110m barrels.

December 13, 2011 - AP via Bloomberg Business Week

Desertec Leads European Effort to Harness Saharan Solar Energy

A German led initiative called 'Desertec,' aims to provide 15% of Europe's electricity by 2050 through a vast network of solar and wind farms stretching right across the MENA region and connecting to Europe via direct current transmission cables.

December 13, 2011 - The Guardian

Even or Odd? Rome Restricts Car Use

With pollution levels becoming dangerous in Rome, Italy, the government is taking a hard line on driving. In late November, only cars with even-numbered license plates were allowed to drive in the city, with odd plates the next.

December 12, 2011 - TheCityFix.com

Ambitious Effort to Urbanize India

The Indian government is betting big with simultaneously building a massive high speed freight corridor between Delhi & Mumbai as well the physical infrastructure for 24 new cities that will become an industrial corridor.

December 9, 2011 - Global Post

Public Parks to Cover Highways in Hamburg

The City of Hamburg, Germany is planning on building elevated public parks on sections of the to-be-expanded A7 (Highway 7), which is considered one of the most important north-south connectors in Germany.

December 9, 2011 - TheCityFix.com

Huge Jump In CO2 Emissions Reported For 2010

As delegates from 191 nations gather in Durban, South Africa to tackle climate change, a new report shows the largest increase in carbon emissions, and the greatest percentage increase since 2003. Coal combustion accounts for more than half the gain.

December 6, 2011 - The New York Times - Environment

Actualizing Seasteads

Brainchild of libertarians, seasteads are brand new cities built upon the ocean. It's not as far-fetched as it sounds, according to this article's author, but it will have to overcome the myriad engineering, energy, and legal challenges.

December 4, 2011 - The Economist

The Future is Renewable, Local Power

John Farrell of Renewable Energy World explains how a shift to local, renewable energy sources and away from the current system of long-distance, coal-burning utilities will

December 1, 2011 - Renewable Energy World

Train Cars Recycle Kinetic Energy

A subway in Warsaw, Poland now features a system that captures the energy created by braking train cars for reuse elsewhere in the system.

November 27, 2011 - Earth & Industry

Untruths About a Gas Tax

The Carnegie Endowment's Shin-pei Tsay and Deborah Gordon expose five common myths and reveal three important facts on the 18.4 cent federal gas tax and present their solution to maintaining and improving America’s transportation infrastructure.

November 25, 2011 - CNN Opinion

Putting the "Green" in Dockside Green Through District Energy

The Globe and Mail profiles Victoria B.C.'s community of Dockside Green, which, in addition to being an infill development, is powered by a district energy system.

November 23, 2011 - Globe and Mail

Chaotic Urban Growth Hinders Economic Development In India

Amy Kazim explore how chaotic urban growth and a political preference for rural government is beginning to hinder the development of India's largest cities.

November 22, 2011 - The Financial Times

Top 10 Books - 2012

Planetizen’s tenth annual list of the best books in urban planning, design and development ranges from a crowdsourced compendium of ideas for upgrading New York City's built environment to a personal report from the streets of Karachi.

November 21, 2011 - Michael Dudley

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.