Environment

Protest

APA Opposes Withdrawal From the Paris Climate Agreement

The American Planning Association is urging the Trump administration to rescind its decision to withdraw the country from the Paris Climate Agreement.

November 15, 2019 - American Planning Association

Phoenix, Arizona

Rising Costs Could End Phoenix's Municipal Recycling Program

The city of Phoenix will either have to raise the rate for waste removal int he city or cut programs like recycling.

November 14, 2019 - Arizona Republic

Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver, Rain City

Vancouver has committed to green stormwater infrastructure by approving a Rain City Strategy that establishes an Integrated Stormwater Management Plan for each watershed in the city.

November 14, 2019 - Water Canada

Tailpipe

Study First to Link Air Pollution to Brain Cancer

The particulate pollution released by automobile travel can carry carcinogens to the brain, according to new research.

November 14, 2019 - The Guardian

Presidio San Francisco

S.F. Park Will Provide Panoramic Views of the Bay

In the northwest part of San Francisco, a new park will link the Presidio to the popular Crissy Field.

November 13, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

Marlyand

When the Floodwaters Receded in Ellicott City

Ellicott City, Maryland, a suburb located 12-miles from Baltimore with a historic Main Street that has experienced catastrophic flooding twice since 2016, offers a case study of the complementary effects of sprawl and climate change.

November 13, 2019 - NPR

Los Angeles Department of Transportation

Planning and Teaching in Southern California

Elizabeth Gallardo is a planning associate with the city of Los Angeles, working as part of an ambitious effort to update the city's numerous community plans while also teaching planning courses at a nearby university.

November 13, 2019 - James Brasuell

treepeople_la_093

Los Angeles Takes Steps to Grow Out Its Urban Forest

Los Angeles is rolling out a street tree inventory to complement other sustainability measures included in its own Green New Deal. The focus is on underserved neighborhoods.

November 12, 2019 - Smart Cities Dive

Coyote Ridge San Jose

Deal Will Preserve Valuable S.F. Bay Area Open Space

Land in the Coyote Valley in San Jose, California, will be protected in a move that ends over three decades of development battles.

November 12, 2019 - The Mercury News

Niobrara River

The U.S. of Breaking and Broken Dams

New analysis of high-hazard dams reveals the ubiquity, and risks, of the infrastructure challenges facing the United States.

November 12, 2019 - AP News

Treasure Valley

The Forgotten Treasure in Western Land

Will the arid West’s farms and settlements thrive for another century? Better conservation policy should take a longer view.

November 10, 2019 - The American Conservative

Shasta Lake

Environmental Study of Shasta Dam Project Halted

The federal government was considering a plan to raise the height of the dam on California's largest reservoir. But the area’s water district recently announced that it will not continue with an environmental study of the project.

November 9, 2019 - High Country News

Electric Cars

Chuck Schumer Lays Out Ambitious Clean Vehicle Plan

The Senate Minority Leader's plan calls for federal grants to subsidize electric vehicle purchases, build out charging infrastructure, and retool automotive manufacturing.

November 8, 2019 - The New York Times

California State Water project

Trump Administration's New CA Water Plan Chooses Farmers Over Fish

A plan to divert water to farmers in California, released at the end of October, would allow for the annihilation of winter-run Chinook Salmon.

November 7, 2019 - East Bay Express

Paris Trees

The Importance of Urban Tree Canopies

Urban trees play an essential role in making cities livable and countering the effects of climate change.

November 6, 2019 - The Guardian

Oil Rigs

Just What the Planet Needs: More Oil Production

A surge of oil from four countries—Norway, Guyana, Canada and Brazil—will more than compensate for slowing growth of U.S. oil production. The new sources might cause oil prices to dip to $50 a barrel and slow the transition to electric vehicles.

November 6, 2019 - The New York Times

Climate Change and Flooding

Sea-Level Rise Would Be Worse for Coastal Cities Than Previously Thought

A new model for expected sea-level rise raises alarms about the need to adapt to sea-level rise in coastal cities all over the world.

November 5, 2019 - The New York Times

Candidates for President

Democratic Candidates Forget Transportation Emissions When Making Climate Plans

Multiple sources analyze the green credentials of the campaign platforms of the remaining field of Democrats vying for the highest office in the land and find one conspicuous absence: plans for reducing driving.

November 5, 2019 - Transportation for America

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Advocacy to Protect Borderlands Areas Lagging

Construction of a border wall would have grave social and environmental consequences, but retailers with clout are not stepping up as they have when other places have been threatened.

November 5, 2019 - High Country News

National Harbor

Maryland County National Leader in Green Infrastructure and Jobs

Community-based public-private partnerships are bringing green infrastructure jobs to Prince George’s County and cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay.

November 5, 2019 - Next City

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.