Environment

Planning Students Help Town Explore Relocation After Flooding
Flood ravaged village seeks assistance from planning students at the University of Nebraska to help the recovery process and explore the bold option of relocating their entire village to higher ground.

Poll: The Public Supports Development Limits in California's Wildfire Areas
An idea that is gaining support with the public as the state of California suffers through catastrophic fire season after catastrophic fire season is still a deeply difficult political proposition.

What if the Greenest Building Isn't the One Already Standing?
Renovating old buildings instead of demolishing them as the better "green" option is preservation orthodoxy. But what if the decision between renovation and demolition is less than clear-cut?

Report from London: Pollution Pricing Reduces Tailpipe Emissions
A new report shows that London's new emission fee, an additional driver charge that became operational 24/7 in April for all motor vehicles not meeting Euro standards that enter the congestion charge zone, has cut nitrogen oxide emissions by 31%.

Trump Administration Finds a Way to Divert California Water to Farmers
A new federal program will clear the way for more water to be delivered to the state of California's agriculture industry, overruling environmental safeguards that protected fish.

The Case for Banning SUVs
Global SUV ownership is skyrocketing, with consequences for carbon emissions and traffic safety. A few voices are now calling for bans on the large vehicles.

Awareness of Climate Change Threats Doesn't Motivate People to Act, Study Finds
Disaster preparedness efforts need to take into account that homeowners in vulnerable areas don’t take action even when the risks are clear.

Bipartisan Coalition of Mayors Support Tax Credits for Solar Power
One issue has solidly bipartisan support at the local level: tax credits for investments that build new solar power capacity.

Engaging, Then Planning, for Equity
The interdisciplinary work of the Kounkuey Design Initiative, led by executive director Chelina Odbert, and deeply committed to the homegrown potential of neighborhoods and communities.

New Models of Risk Assessment Needed in Wildfire Zones
About 350,000 residents have lost wildfire insurance in recent years, as a series of catastrophic fires have swept the state of California and insurance industry struggles to keep up with climate change.

Kayaking, Canvassing, and Cooking Classes: Cities Experiment With Climate Outreach
As cities across the U.S. commit to ambitious climate actions, they're seeking effective ways to engage with local communities.

Another Bay Area City Considers Urban Tolling
East Palo Alto has long suffered the toll that transbay traffic has imposed on this gateway to Silicon Valley from the East Bay in the form of air pollution and traffic congestion. Now the city is considering tolling the traffic.

2020 Conferences in Planning and Design
An annual sampling of some of the best professional development conferences in the coming year for planning and design professions, by L.A. County Planner Clement Lau.

U.S. Air Quality Declining, Taking Lives
Particulate matter air pollution has been on the rise since 2017, according to new research. Wildfires, economic activity, and lax regulation are potentially to blame.

Texans to Vote on Flood Control Funding, Property Tax Breaks in Disaster Areas
The fingerprint of Hurricane Harvey and recurring flooding events around the state are evident in the statewide election in Texas on November 5, 2019.

San Diego Parking Reform Wins the Day With the California Coastal Commission
The California Coastal Commission could have overturned part of San Diego's ambitious parking reform policy approved earlier this year, and would have if commission staff had won their arguments.

Development Depleting Groundwater in Arizona
A new report identifies looming challenges with the water supply enabling growth in Central Arizona suburbs.

A Transit Consultant's Take on Flying Cars
A journalist asked, so Jarrett Walker answered.

More Than One North American Political Campaign Ignoring Housing and Transit
When it comes to ignoring matters of housing affordability and public transit during an election cycle of great significance, the United States is not the exception. Candidates in Canada's 2019 Federal Election have mastered the same trick.

The Central Park Squirrel Census
Some people ask why anyone would want to do a census of all the squirrels in Central Park. Others ask why not?
Pagination
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 Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions