Energy
Habitat for Humanity Embraces Density
Instead of building its signature single family homes in dense New York neighborhoods, Habitat is expanding its model to include LEED-certified apartment buildings.
Government Plans Vertical Garden on Portland Skyscraper
As part of a $133 million renovation of a federal building in Portland, the Government Services Administration plans to add 200-foot high "vegetated fins" that will carpet the building with plants and - hopefully - energy savings.
Fish: the Future of Urban Farming
Cityscape Farms has developed a new technique for farming fish along with vegetables in combined urban food systems that allows them to farm in developed areas.
LED Streetlights Save Money for Cities
A new study for Pittsburgh says that the city could save $1 million a year in energy costs and $700,000 in maintenance if they make the switch to LEDs.
Carbon Emission Standards vs. Historic Preservation
In the U.K., new carbon emission standards may mean that great numbers of buildings from the 1960s and 70s will need to be demolished.
Wind Could Generate Lots of Power for East, Say Feds
With a substantial investment, it would be possible for the eastern half of the U.S.to get 30% of its electricity from wind power, according to a new report from the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Reacting to LaHood and 'Livability'
The National Journal Online talks to three transportation experts about the recent statements by DOT Secretary LaHood that the agency would begin using livability-based funding guidelines for major transit projects. Will it work?
TODs With Juice
New Energy Hubs is a proposal to focus alternative energy production around transit-oriented developments to create synergistic benefits.
Give Cap & Trade Revenue To....The People?
A key committee has recommended a novel approach to distributing revenue from a forthcoming cap & trade scheme, the key strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the CA Air Resources Board in order to meet the reductions mandated in AB 32.
Portland Learning from Los Angeles
An interdisciplinary team of urban designers, architects, and analysts have proposed a neo-retro-futurist scenario for making downtown Portland nearly car-free by 2050.
Bringing the Forest Back to the City
This piece from Urban Omnibus looks at ideas to counteract global warming by adding more trees to urban areas.
Turning Sewage Into Heat in Vancouver
Thursday, the switch was flipped on a generator that will serve the heating needs of 16,000 residents of the Olympic Village in Vancouver. The generator transforms sewage into heat.
Air Pollution Strongly Linked to Heart Ailments
A new report from the Health Effect Institute concludes that there is a strong correlation between exposure to traffic and heart ailments.
California Adopts New Green Building Codes
The state of California has adopted the nation's first green building codes, including a provision that allows local jurisdictions to keep or approve even stricter environmental building rules.
Electric Cars Must Wait (For Lower Battery Costs)
A new study from the Boston Consulting Group concludes that gasoline powered-vehicles will predominate till at least 2020; doubtful of their ability to attract customers, contradicting brighter industry forecasts predominantly due to battery costs.
Dongtan Eco-City: A Model of Sustainability?
Dongtan Eco City was planned for completion for the Shanghai World Expo in 2010. By that time, 5,000 people should be living there. However, the planned housing, water taxis, sewage‐recycling plant and energy park all failed to materialize.
Environmental Groups Look to Block Green Building Code
California is on the verge of approving the country's first state green building code, but some environmental groups are trying to stop it, arguing the code does not go far enough.
San Diego Dirtier than China
In a new working paper called “The Greenness of China: Household Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Urban Development,” Siqi Zheng, Rui Wang, Edward L. Glaeser, and Matthew E. Kahn rank 74 Chinese cities in terms of their household carbon footprints.
12' Square
Is twelve feet square enough room to live in? Designer James Stuart thinks so, and is practicing what he preaches in his own 12' cube house in Canada.
Arizona Eyes a Nuclear Future
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has come out as a strong proponent of bringing nuclear power back into the state's energy fold.
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.
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
