Environment
2020 Energy Infrastructure Predictions
Planners can expect changes in the energy industry to influence preparations for the future of cities and communities.
A Minnesota Suburb's Permeable Pavement Leadership
Shoreview, Minnesota has one of the most extensive permeable pavement systems in the United States. This technology has reduced the need for expensive grey infrastructure like stormwater sewer systems.
Southern States Lagging in Addressing Climate Change
Cities in the South are facing a multitude of climate change impacts, but many have been slow to respond to the growing threats.
Report: Sea-Level Rise Is Accelerating
Sea levels are rising at an accelerating rate, continuing a trend that began in 2013 or 2014, and pushes coastal communities toward the extreme end of the possible spectrum of sea-level rise.
Coming to Terms with the Racist Causes of Pollution
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania took the dramatic step of officially declaring racism a public health threat. Public policy has yet to mitigate the city's worsening air quality, however.
Democrats Reveal a $760 Billion Transportation Framework
Congressional Democrats hope transportation infrastructure can be a winning political point during a campaign year following the impeachment of President Donald Trump.
Legislation Would Prevent Rural-to-Urban Water Transfers in Arizona
A plan to sell water intended for agricultural uses to help fuel the development of a city on the edge of the Phoenix metropolitan area has inspired new state legislation.
Overcoming the High Carbon Debt of Electric Vehicle Production
Though studies show that over their lifetime EVs produce fewer emissions than gas guzzlers, EVs generate considerably more CO2 than a gas car on the assembly line, making renewably sourced energy a key factor for an EV to break even with a gas car.
Sidewalk Labs and Collaborators Design a 35-Story Timber Building
The recently revealed Proto-Model-X building would reach new heights for timber.
Lessons From the Most Dangerous Pedestrian Environment in the Country
The city of Orlando, Florida is examined as the worst example of the nation's pedestrian safety crisis.
Trump Finally Comes for the 'Waters of the United States' Rule
The Trump administration is finally delivering on a promise to rescind the Waters of the United States act enacted during the Obama administration to expand the reach of the federal Clean Water Act.
Coming Soon: Trump's Revised Fuel Efficiency Standards
The Trump administration has submitted revised fuel efficiency standards to the White House Office of Management and Budget for a final review. If approved, the rule would overturn a key environmental initiative of the Obama administration.
New Jersey Might Be the Most EV-Friendly State in the Nation
Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation Friday establishing an incentive program for purchasing battery electric vehicles, allowing up to a $5,000 rebate, the nation's highest, plus $500 rebates for home-chargers. EVs are already exempt from sales tax.
New Orleans Convent to Become Large Urban Wetland
Hurricane Katrina damaged a Catholic convent in New Orleans. Then the nuns spearheaded a project to transform the land into a wetland area that will protect the city from flooding in the future.
Washington Attempts to Adopt a Cleaner Cars and Clean Fuels Programs
A Pew Stateline article tackles the challenges of reducing carbon emissions from transportation compared to electricity generation and looks at recent initiatives announced by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee aimed at decarbonizing transportation.
Study Traces the History of Racism and Urban Heat Islands
The people living in urban heat islands are much more likely to be inhabited by low-income people of color, and the roots of the environmental justice issue can be found in planning history.
Overcoming the Obstacles of Land Use for Renewable Energy
Renewable energy, both wind and solar, takes up a lot of space in places that aren't accustomed to industrial development. Policymakers need strategies and tactics for overcoming the inherent land use challenges presented by renewable energy.
Ranking the Climate Impact of Transportation in the 100 Largest U.S. Metro Areas
This performance ranking separates the fakers from the legit operation to reduce carbon emissions from transportation.
Positive Thinking for the Environment
There have been wins. And there will be opportunities. All is not lost for the future of the planet.
Restricting Floodplain Development in the Nation's Capital
The D.C. Department of Energy and Environment has read the writing on the wall.
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.
City of Fort Worth
planning NEXT
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
