Environment
Happy Cows Use Virtual Reality to Pretend it's Summer
Here's one application of virtual reality we didn't see coming: happy cows and better milk.
24-7 Public Bathroom Pilot to Expand in San Francisco
An experiment in round-the-clock public bathroom access has proven successful, and San Francisco is expanding the program.
U.S. Land Use, SUVs Targeted in New U.N. Climate Change Report
The United Nations announces more bad news for the climate and the role of American society and culture in causing the destruction of the planet.
Arizona Mayors Want to Stay in the Paris Climate Agreement
The mayors of Tucson and Phoenix want Congress to block President Donald Trump from removing the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement.
Why New York City's Flooding Its Own Subway Entrances
MTA reassured disoriented New Yorkers that it's flooding subway entrances on purpose, to test barriers that it hopes will guard the system against another Sandy.
The Top Urban Planning Books of 2019
The decade wraps up with another engaging crop of highly readable and recommendable books on the subject of urban planning. There's a lot to learn, on many related subjects, among this year's top planning books.
Satellite, Launched Into Space Earlier This Month, to Measure Urban Heat Island Effect
A new satellite, currently residing on the International Space Station and scheduled for deployment in January, will measure and map the urban heat island effect of seven U.S. cities.
California's Priorities for Electrification and Resilience
CEC Chair David Hochschild shares the commission’s strategy for improving the current grid system and how California has been, and will continue to be, a global leader in clean energy innovation.
Santa Monica Designs Greenest Municipal Building in the World
Amber Richane, Project Manager for the city of Santa Monica's new City Services Building, on the city's commitment to building the world's most sustainable public building.
China's Global Power Play
China's Belt and Road Initiative, a massive program to develop infrastructure in dozens of countries worldwide, may be the largest construction project in history. Its benefits to host countries—and to China itself—remain far from certain.
Human Waste as a Climate Solution
Using treated waste as an agricultural fertilizer is controversial, but the practice has several climate-related benefits.
Saying 'No' to Development in Climate Risk Areas
Only a few places have managed to stem the tide of development in areas at risk to the effects (like wildfire and flooding) of climate change. Virginia Beach is an early test bed for what it takes to tell developers "no."
Cities Have Tried to Rein in Cars, and the Results Have Been Mixed
Vehicle pollution is making cities around the world unlivable. Some cities have taken steps to curb auto use and emissions, with varying levels of success.
Silo-Breaking Sustainability or Real-Life Lorax: L.A.’s First City Forest Officer
The city of L.A.’s first city forest officer, Rachel Malarich, opines on her new role in facilitating cooperation between the city’s departments to achieve a more equitable urban canopy.
To Reduce Carbon Emissions, Focus on Existing Buildings
Architects are uniquely positioned to reduce global warming, argues the CEO of Urban Green Council—but first they need to rethink their role.
Flood Barrier Approved for Manhattan's East Side
A plan to build a flood barrier between Manhattan and the East River overcame some last minute controversy on its way to approval this month.
31-Mile Trail Planned for an Atlanta Suburb
The city of Sandy Springs is pleased to note that the planned Sandy Springs Trail will be ten miles longer than the Atlanta Beltline when complete.
A Surprising Lack of Geographic Knowledge
Have you ever heard of the Salish Sea? Neither have most of the people who live near it, in cities named Seattle and Vancouver.
California Town Looks to Rebuild After Wildfire, but No Clear Path Forward
Paradise, California, burned to the ground last year, and the town’s recovery has begun. But questions remain about the measures that should be put into place to prevent another disaster.
Climate Change Education to Be Compulsory in Italy
Critics of a plan to require Italian students to learn about climate change and sustainability say climate action can't wait for the next generation to come of age.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
