Environment

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?

The Interior Secretary's Past Lobbying Work Scrutinized
A project to raise the height of the Shasta Dam, dead in the water before the Trump administration, is moving forward now that a former lobbyist for the project is the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Governor's Transportation and Climate Actions Stir Controversy in California
California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order last month directing state agencies to consider climate goals in their spending and operations. Two weeks later, three highway widening projects were deleted, and locals are crying foul.

A Climate Change 'Paradigm Shift' in Florida
Even Republicans are talking about climate change in Florida since former Governor Rick Scott left office.

The Constitutional Clause Being Used to Threaten Climate Change Policies
An interstate commerce clause is being used to challenge climate change measures and regulations.

Reports of the Automobile's Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
Clearly, the American love affair with the automobile is far from over, despite lessons from the recession, dire environmental warnings, plummeting traffic safety, or the wishful thinking of tech companies.

Cleveland Launches Tree Replenishment Program
The city of Cleveland will hope to reap environmental and economic rewards by spending $1 million a year to regrow its tree canopy.

Coastal City Rejects 'Managed Retreat' Strategy
Del Mar, in Southern California, says it does not want to adopt the approach as part of its sea-level rise adaptation plan.

Controversial Decision Limits Solar Panels on Historic Homes in D.C.
"I realize that we are in crisis politically as well as sustainably. But…"

Lessons in Electric Bus Deployment From 6 U.S. Regions
U.S. cities and regions are both showing how electric buses can be done and taking too long to do it. A new report focuses on success stories.

Department of Interior Could Allow Private Companies to Run National Park Campgrounds
The Trump administration is exploring ways to outsource operations at national parks to private businesses. Lobbyists for private businesses welcome the invitation.

Massachusetts Converts HOV Lane to General Purpose Lane
Road planners looking to increase capacity without adding lanes are focusing on managing existing lanes more effectively. Massachusetts has gone the opposite direction. The Conservation Law Foundation plans to hold them accountable.

Trump Administration Reopens California Public Lands to Oil and Gas Drilling
A decision by the Bureau of Land Management on Oct. 3 may reverse the outcome of a 2013 lawsuit against the Obama administration by two environmental groups that effectively halted drilling in Fresno, Monterey and San Benito counties.

A Detailed Map of the Nation's Auto Emissions
The New York Times illustrates the scope and scale of the great project still facing the United States: to decrease greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector of its economy.

A C40-Ready Framework for Local Climate Action in Santa Monica
Santa Monica City Manager Rick Cole outlines the city's actions and policies to realize its ambitious C40 goals.

Monorail Joins the Seattle Transit Network
The city's monorail has operated separately from other systems in the region, but now riders can pay fares using the ORCA cards that work for other transit systems in the region.

Massive Power Outages in Northern California as PG&E Avoids Wildfire Risk
Planetizen has collected local and national news on a massive, ongoing environmental and infrastructure story in Northern California. There are maps to keep track of the scope of planned power outages.

A 'Climate Change Laboratory' on Governors Island
New York City is seeking proposals for transforming Governors Island into a "living laboratory" for climate change resilience.
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.
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