Environment
Legislation Would Prevent Rural-to-Urban Water Transfers in Arizona
A plan to sell water intended for agricultural uses to help fuel the development of a city on the edge of the Phoenix metropolitan area has inspired new state legislation.
Overcoming the High Carbon Debt of Electric Vehicle Production
Though studies show that over their lifetime EVs produce fewer emissions than gas guzzlers, EVs generate considerably more CO2 than a gas car on the assembly line, making renewably sourced energy a key factor for an EV to break even with a gas car.
Sidewalk Labs and Collaborators Design a 35-Story Timber Building
The recently revealed Proto-Model-X building would reach new heights for timber.
Lessons From the Most Dangerous Pedestrian Environment in the Country
The city of Orlando, Florida is examined as the worst example of the nation's pedestrian safety crisis.
Trump Finally Comes for the 'Waters of the United States' Rule
The Trump administration is finally delivering on a promise to rescind the Waters of the United States act enacted during the Obama administration to expand the reach of the federal Clean Water Act.
Coming Soon: Trump's Revised Fuel Efficiency Standards
The Trump administration has submitted revised fuel efficiency standards to the White House Office of Management and Budget for a final review. If approved, the rule would overturn a key environmental initiative of the Obama administration.
New Jersey Might Be the Most EV-Friendly State in the Nation
Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation Friday establishing an incentive program for purchasing battery electric vehicles, allowing up to a $5,000 rebate, the nation's highest, plus $500 rebates for home-chargers. EVs are already exempt from sales tax.
New Orleans Convent to Become Large Urban Wetland
Hurricane Katrina damaged a Catholic convent in New Orleans. Then the nuns spearheaded a project to transform the land into a wetland area that will protect the city from flooding in the future.
Washington Attempts to Adopt a Cleaner Cars and Clean Fuels Programs
A Pew Stateline article tackles the challenges of reducing carbon emissions from transportation compared to electricity generation and looks at recent initiatives announced by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee aimed at decarbonizing transportation.
Study Traces the History of Racism and Urban Heat Islands
The people living in urban heat islands are much more likely to be inhabited by low-income people of color, and the roots of the environmental justice issue can be found in planning history.
Overcoming the Obstacles of Land Use for Renewable Energy
Renewable energy, both wind and solar, takes up a lot of space in places that aren't accustomed to industrial development. Policymakers need strategies and tactics for overcoming the inherent land use challenges presented by renewable energy.
Ranking the Climate Impact of Transportation in the 100 Largest U.S. Metro Areas
This performance ranking separates the fakers from the legit operation to reduce carbon emissions from transportation.
Positive Thinking for the Environment
There have been wins. And there will be opportunities. All is not lost for the future of the planet.
Restricting Floodplain Development in the Nation's Capital
The D.C. Department of Energy and Environment has read the writing on the wall.
Exploratory Scenario Planning, Explained
Planners don't need fancy software to prepare for an uncertain future. Exploratory scenario planning promises a more aware, adaptive, and resilient planning profession.
Can Hydrogen Make a Comeback?
While hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles are much less popular than their battery-powered siblings, California remains committed to the zero-emission technology, with three state agencies investing in and monitoring its progress.
New Jersey Has a Plan to Shift to Clean Energy, but Questions Remain
The state’s energy plan focuses on the move to renewable energy, but specifics about how that will happen and what the costs will be need to be pinned down.
The Environmental Consequences of the Arizona Border Wall
A segment of the planned U.S.-Mexico border wall would cut across the San Pedro River and threaten the area’s wildlife and plants.
Toronto River Project Will Provide Greenspace and Flood Control
The massive Port Lands infrastructure project will transform an industrial area by carving out a new island.
The Congressional Budget Cut Clean Energy Tax Breaks
The consequences of the Congressional budget approved at the end of 2019 can be measured in millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
