Environment
California-Style Rolling Blackouts Come to Texas
As bad as the power outages are in Texas, they would be much worse if the independent energy grid operator hadn't initiated rolling blackouts. In an extensive interview with CBS Austin, Bill Magness, the head of ERCOT, explains what went wrong.
Haves and Have Nots: Planning and the Deep Divides of the Pandemic
The latest in a series of compendia gathering news and analysis about the effects of the COVID-19 on the built and natural environments—now and long into the future.
How Cities Are Using Wastewater to Test for COVID-19
Some scientists and city officials are moving ahead with a different way to track the virus’s spread: wastewater testing.
New Zealand's Climate Change Commission Provides Comprehensive Solutions
New Zealand’s Climate Change Commission, He Pou a Rangi ("a Pillar of the Sky"), recently released a Draft Advice for Consultation Report that describes necessary steps to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change.
For the Birds: Why Designing for Birds is Good for Everyone
A new book spotlights how bird-friendly design makes for healthier and more pleasant cities for all species.
Cities' Self-Reported Emissions Numbers are Way Off, Study Finds
New research shows that the voluntary emissions measurements conducted by many cities vastly undercount their greenhouse gas production.
Seattle Limits Natural Gas in New Construction
More cities are banning the use of natural gas in new buildings. Seattle is the latest example.
How Far, How Fast, Will Electric Car Policies Go?
The federal government, and even some automakers, seemed poised to nudge the country toward a future of electric vehicles. But the American preference for large trucks will be an obstacle to those plans.
An Environmental Justice Agenda for 2021
Michael Méndez, assistant professor in the Department of Urban Planning and Public Policy at the University of California, Irvine opines on California's continued struggle to implement ambitious climate goals.
Paradise Was Prepared for the Camp Fire, Report Says. It Wasn't Enough.
Sobering findings from a thorough examination of the causes of the 2018 Camp Fire.
New Climate Leadership in Transportation at the California Assembly
California Assembly Transportation Committee Chair Laura Friedman shares policy priorities for reducing emissions, eliminating traffic fatalities, and improving the connectivity of urban regional light rail in Southern California.
Biden's Climate Plan Centers Environmental Justice
The Biden administration's climate plan calls for sweeping reform in the country's energy policy and places new focus on addressing racial and economic disparities.
The Importance of Regional Parks
Regional parks like Whittier Narrows Recreation Area in Southern California offers something for everyone and are more important than ever in the midst of a pandemic.
Thank Indigenous Activists for the Keystone XL Pipeline's Demise
President Biden's executive order may put the final nail in the coffin of the controversial pipeline project, but it was unwavering local activists who kept the pressure on for a decade.
2020 Was a Landmark Year for Climate Change
Many companies set goals to achieve by 2020 and came up short, while the effects of climate change were more obvious than ever in the year that was 2020.
Notes on the Buttigieg Confirmation Hearing
Takeaways from last week's Senate confirmation hearing for the nominee to be secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg.
Biden Administration Rules Out Gas Tax Hike
Shortly after Transportation secretary-nominee Pete Buttigieg told a Senate committee that all options were on the table to pay for federal transportation investment, a spokesperson ruled out a gas tax hike.
Planning Trends to Watch in 2021
The nation is now tasked with the challenge of changing course in the middle of multiple, global crises. The necessity of finding a way to overcome the failures of the past and lay the groundwork for a new kind of future has never been more clear.
Hug a Tree. Protect a Forest.
Communities have good reasons to protect trees and forests. Planners can help make this happen.
Parking Induces Driving, Study Says
New research published in the Urban Studies journal does the difficult work of connecting the dots between parking and driving.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
