Environment

Colorado River

Changes for Big Pipeline Project to Connect Utah to the Colorado River

A hugely significant water and power infrastructure project in the works in Utah is now only a water project.

September 28, 2019 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Electric Cars

California Needs More EV Chargers to Keep Up with Demand

Electric vehicle sales continue to rise, but the need for more charging infrastructure is increasing as well.

September 27, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

Tampa Bay Storm

Tampa Bay Isn't Prepared for the Hurricanes of the Future

The area is especially vulnerable to storm surge, and increased development means more people are at risk when major hurricanes push through.

September 26, 2019 - Vox

The San Pedro River where it passes through Saint David, south of Benson, Arizona.

Clean Water Rule's Repeal Could Have Consequences for Sprawling Development in Arizona

A recent decision by the Trump administration regarding the Waters of the United States Rule is changing the legal calculus of a plan to add 28,000 homes in the city of Benson, located southwest of Tucson.

September 24, 2019 - Arizona Republic

Electric Pickup Truck Manufacturer Scores Huge 'Climate' Order from Amazon

To show his company's commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2040, Jeff Bezos announced Thursday that Amazon would purchase 100,000 battery-electric delivery vans from Michigan-based Rivian. The trucks will begin service in 2021.

September 23, 2019 - Bloomberg News via Transport Topics

Portland Bike

Carbon Emissions Climb 'Dramatically' in Portland

Even a city with a sterling reputation for multi-modal transportation planning isn't making progress in removing carbon emissions from the local economy.

September 23, 2019 - BikePortland

Electric Car Charging Station

Did the Outlook for Electric Vehicle Sales in U.S. Just Nosedive?

With the formal announcement by the EPA and the U.S. DOT on Thursday that the "One National Standard" rule has been issued, California's zero-emission standard, which applies to ten other states, is essentially on hold.

September 21, 2019 - InsideClimate News

Robert F. Kennedy Bridge

New York Resilience Plan to Get Second Opinion

The price tag for the de Blasio administration’s stormwater and sea-level rise plan rose $1.3 billion after some costly additions. Now some city council members are bringing in a second group to examine the plan.

September 21, 2019 - Crain's New York Business

Cats

A First-Even Feral Cat Count in Toronto

The number of feral cats in Toronto is declining, which is a good thing for the cats.

September 21, 2019 - CBC

Las Vegas and Environs

Las Vegas Faces a Challenging and Uncertain Environmental Future

Excessive heat will impact the desert city in the coming years, and major steps need to be taken now to change its course.

September 19, 2019 - The Guardian

California

California's Ability to Set Auto Emissions Standards to Be Revoked

The announcement was made Wednesday morning in a series of tweets by President Trump while raising cash from willing donors at several fundraisers in California. The formal announcement from EPA and DOT is set for Thursday.

September 19, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

SFO

As the Waters Rise Toward San Francisco International Airport, So Do the Costs of Staying Dry

San Francisco International Airport lies on 5,171-acres of land on eight miles of shoreline along the west side of the San Francisco Bay. Protecting the property from sea-level rise is becoming a more challenging, and expensive, task.

September 18, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

San Luis Valley, Colorado

Imported Water Needed to Fuel Colorado Sprawl

An old-fashioned story of wealthy developers coming for the water supply of low-income farming communities is being reprised in Colorado.

September 18, 2019 - The Denver Post

recycled water sign

U.S. EPA Report Assists the Water Reuse Cause

A new plan released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides technical and strategic assistance for the implementation of water reuse infrastructure around the United States.

September 17, 2019 - WaterNewsNetwork

Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta

Environmental Law, Resistance to Trump Administration Splits California Democrats

California has made a practice of resisting changes to environmental regulations pursued by the Trump administration, but the latest legislative effort to protect the state's waterways was a bridge too far for the governor.

September 17, 2019 - Sacramento Bee

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

28.3 Million Acres of Public Land at Risk in Alaska

The Trump administration is working on multiple fronts to liquidate public land in Alaska as the state struggles to balance its budget.

September 16, 2019 - Center for American Progress

Electric Cars

Consumer Group Accuses States of 'Punishing' Electric Vehicle Drivers

The advocacy division of Consumer Reports published a study to highlight the practice of what could soon be a majority of state governments: charging electric vehicle owners an additional registration fee to compensate for forgone fuel tax revenue.

September 16, 2019 - Consumer Reports

Cedar Rapids Floods

The Great Flood of 2019, Visualized

The New York Times has published a spectacular mapping and data project to show the extent of flooding along the Mississippi River and its tributaries in the winter, spring, and summer of 2019.

September 16, 2019 - The New York Times

Echo Park

L.A. Unveils Plans for Historic Water Infrastructure Tax

Katy Young Yaroslavsky discusses the the Measure W Implementation Ordinance and the committee appointees tasked with determining how this new funding will flow into community water projects.

September 15, 2019 - The Planning Report

Air Conditioner

The High Cost of Cool Air

Air conditioning has drastically changed modern life and the ways cities have developed. But, the environmental consequences are immense, and it’s time to cut back.

September 14, 2019 - The Guardian

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.