Environment

Reservation System Possible for Zion National Park
The National Park Service is looking for solutions to overcrowding at its most popular parks. The idea of an online reservation system might get its first test in Utah.

California Counties, City Sue Fossil Fuel Industry Over Sea Level Rise
Faced with "mounting costs" due to the impacts of climate change, a collection of coastal communities in California have taken legal action against the fossil fuel industry.

New York Could Launch an Urban Agriculture Plan, Zoning Overhaul
New York's ability to feed itself with locally grown urban agriculture is only being partially realized. Better planning, specific to urban agriculture, would help.

Who Recycles in Cincinnati?
A new CincyInsights dashboard shows recycling participation rates all over the city.

An Interactive Map of the World's Climate in 2100
A new map presents two scenarios: the temperature in 2100 if recent emissions trends continue unabated, and the temperature in 2100 with moderate emissions cuts.

Planning for Water Scarcity in Colorado
The state of Colorado is growing quickly, and that means planners and developers will have to actively implement more efficient water infrastructure.

California Legislature Approves Continuation of Cap-and-Trade Program
The nation's only state-run, market-based program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will continue until 2031 without fear of litigation, as it passed with the required two-thirds supermajority needed for tax increases, along with two related bills.

Desert 5, Humans 0
Look no further than the American Southwest for signs that human ingenuity is no match for the ability of the planet to reassert its power.

Comparing the World's Urban Tree Canopies
Seattle provides plenty of shade for residents to enjoy in the summer months.
Court Ruling Sides With Regional Officials Over Statewide Climate Goals
The California Supreme Court sided with the San Diego Association of Governments on July 13 in the first court case to decide how regional planning agencies must meet state-required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.

The Era of the Electric Vehicle is Approaching
A new report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance predicts that due to a plunge in battery prices and improvement in battery technology, electric vehicles will be cost-competitive with gasoline vehicles in eight years. By 2040, they will outsell them.
Historic Vote by California Senate on Cap-and-Trade Expected Monday
Caling the upcoming vote on AB 398, which has created strange political bedfellows, "the most important vote of your life," Gov. Jerry Brown cast the decision as choosing between "massive new regulations" and market-based mechanisms.

Owens Valley Calls on Eminent Domain to Buy its Water Back from Los Angeles
Call it a reverse Chinatown.

Sea Level Rise Will Displace Communities in Every Corner of the Bay Area
Sea level rise is already flooding communities with such regularity that many residents are deciding to leave. The sea level rise tipping point will expand its reach as the climate changes.

Trump Budget Would Nix Tsunami Warning System
The difference in lives saved between tsunamis that hit Crescent City, California in 1964 and 2011 was an early detection and warning system. Now it's up to Congress to save the $12 million system from the proposed cuts in Trump's budget.
California Earning Clean Air Despite the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
While premature to claim victory, a report from the San Francisco Chronicle suggests that the California Air Resources Board will prevail in a looming showdown with the U.S. EPA over whether to allow the state to set vehicle emission standards.

House Appropriations Bills Move the Needle Away from Trump's Agenda
A House of Representatives committee has different ideas about the spending priorities of the federal government when it comes to issues like a proposed border wall and the Great Lakes.

A New Green Thumb Tool for Planners
The Greenprint Resource Hub aims to integrate open space, parks, and agriculture into city and regional planning efforts.

Empowering Doctors to Help Solve Housing Challenges
A survey of the programs taking a proactive approach to the role of housing in health outcomes, and a call for more collaboration between the housing and healthcare industries

Second Attempt at Renewal for California's Clean Air Vehicle Decal Program
New legislation would continue the Clean Air Vehicle program after Jan. 1, 2019 to allow zero and near-zero emission vehicles to continue to qualify for carpool lane stickers in the Golden State.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont