Environment
Demystifying Mass Timber
Quayside, Sidewalk Labs' smart city in Toronto, calls for ten tall buildings made entirely of wood. Here's why proponents think mass timber is a good idea, and what obstacles stand in its way.
Flood Plans, Green Infrastructure Take Center Stage in Houston's Mayoral Race
The city of Houston will decide their next mayor in November, in a rematch of the two candidates who ran against each other in a tight runoff election in 2015 as well as a host of additional candidates.
Climate Change as a Housing Crisis 'Threat Multiplier'
Extreme weather is exacerbating the threats posing communities struggling with a lack of affordable housing.
Good and Bad News in California's Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory
Overall greenhouse gas emissions in California dropped 1% in 2017, according to the inventory by the California Air Resources Board, which includes a 9% drop in emissions from electricity generation and a 1% increase in transportation emissions.
Toxic Algae Blooms, Explained
Toxic algae is in the news again, so it's a good time to learn as much as possible about the environmental threat that is likely to be a reoccurring theme in the era of climate change.
Protecting the Pacific Ocean
Mark Gold discusses his new role at the Ocean Protection Council and addressing the challenges facing the California’s marine resources.
Denmark's Waste-to-Energy Plant: A Global Model of Sustainable Design
Bettina Kamuk, global market director for Ramboll, explains how a Copenhagen waste-to-energy facility meets air quality and emissions standards while providing low-carbon energy and recreational activity to the surrounding community.
Volunteers Work to Reclaim an City's Watershed From Trash and Abuse
The Tuolumne River originates in the pristine environment of Yosemite National Park, but eventually some of the water makes its way into the Central Valley and the city of Modesto, where conditions are far less natural.
A Comprehensive Plan for Every Neighborhood Park
Minneapolis wants more equity in its parks spending—and new plans are a key step in the process of delivering more equitable results.
Seattle Residents Wary of Urban Greening Efforts
Parts of the city desperately need more trees, but some residents worry about the long-term effects of tree planting in neighborhoods.
Is This Chicago Indoor Vertical Farm the Future of Agriculture?
A new indoor vertical farming venture in Chicago seeks to change agricultural production by harnessing technology.
The Climate Has Already Changed
A big feature explores the effects of climate change, which are already very much changing life in the United States.
State Law Allows for Local Reform of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act
Reform of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) is underway at the local level after a new state bill offered "safe harbor" under the law for a menu of land use and development reforms.
Los Angeles County Sets 2050 Carbon Neutrality Target
Land use and transportation planning will play key roles in an effort by Los Angeles County to achieve carbon neutrality in 30 years.
Land Use the Subject of Latest IPCC Report
Not urban land use, but in the literal sense: land used to produce food, graze livestock, supply drinking water, grow trees, and sequester carbon. As the climate warms and the population grows, crop yields will decrease and land will be degraded.
The Best Green Building and Development Materials in 2019
Green building practices are advancing quickly. Here is a sample of best practices in choosing the most sustainable materials for the job.
A Dire Warning About Sea-Level Rise in South Florida
A shift is underway on Wall Street—investors are acknowledging the risks of climate change. A recent credit-ratings report on the bridge system connecting Miami to Key Biscayne provides a stark example of the new way of thinking.
Climate Change and Public Transit
A recent round of thunderstorms brought public transit operations in Philadelphia to a screeching halt.
Renewable Natural Gas Makes Inroads in California, Oregon, and Missouri
What is expected to be the nation's largest dairy biogas operation opened in the Central Valley. To the north, Gov. Kate Brown signed the nation's first bill to establish goals to add renewable gas to pipelines, and pigs in Missouri also made news.
Why a Small Town Ditched 'Bargain' Parking Meters
At 25 cents an hour, Nevada City, California's meter rates weren't bringing in enough to pay the employees managing them. A fourfold increase will also help the town confront wildfire risk.
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
