Environment

Louisiana Finds Surprising Success in Fight Against Land Loss
Thirty years following the start of a project designed to build back land that was slowly being lost to the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana is celebrating a rare success.

Waco, Texas Region Needs a New Water Plan
Communities in McClennan County, Texas, are working together to plan for a new water supply infrastructure that relies less on groundwater from the depleted Trinity Aquifer.

How to Plan for an Uncertain Climate Future
Creating adaptive, sustainable communities may require rethinking some planning basics.

Another Reason to Watch Florida on Election Day
While Florida may well determine who becomes the next president, renewable energy advocates are worried about a measure on the ballot that will have far-reaching effects on solar power should it pass.
One of the Most Important Energy Measure on the Ballot on Tuesday
While billed as an "anti-fracking initiative," Measure Z in Monterey County, the 4th-largest oil-producing county in California, does far more. It bans new oil drilling and requires the cleaning of wastewater from current drilling operations.

Sunday Fun: The Mountain Lions of Los Angeles Get Their Own Social Media Presence
The National Park Service has launched the Puma Profiles, making it easier to explore the lives of the city's largest collection of feral residents.

Washington State's Big Climate Policy Experiment
On November 8, voters in the nation’s northwest corner will decide on I-732, which would create a carbon tax swap and potentially become a new model for fighting climate change.

Santa Monica Ordinance Would Require Net-Zero Energy Standards for New Homes
Santa Monica is the first city in California to adopt an ordinance requiring new single-family homes be built to net-zero energy standards.

Trump Campaign Proposes the End of Federal Climate Change Funding
The Trump Campaign released a policy statement this week that puts some skin in the game on the Republican candidate's climate change denials.

New California Law Empowers Local Governments to Plan for Climate Adaptation
State Senator Bob Wieckowski is working to help communities get the necessary tools to increase capacity for climate resilience.
Fatal Explosion in Gasoline Pipeline that Suffered Major Spill in September
A strategic interstate gasoline pipeline exploded in Alabama on Oct. 31, not far from the September spill site after an accidental strike by a track hoe, killing one and injuring five workers. Higher gas prices and long lines are anticipated.

Oakland's Plan for Social, Economic, and Environmental Resiliency
Income inequality, housing affordability, and systemic racism join sea-level rise as key issues in Oakland's vision for urban resilience.

What Happened to all those Desalination Plants Proposed for California?
Less than a decade ago, "desal" proposals in California numbered over 22, but only one major one was built—in Carlsbad, serving the San Diego region. A newly released study by the Pacific Institute explains why.

How California Scientists Deploy Technology to Track Climate Change Effects
Scientists are racing to identify the effects of climate change on the environment of California.

How Los Angeles Redefined Mobility as a Service
Los Angeles Department of Transportation General Manager Seleta Reynolds discusses her vision for urban mobility and the growing role of city leadership.

Small Number of Repeatedly Flooded Properties Account for Much of Flooding’s Cost
New policies may be needed to encourage more responsible development and keep builders from constructing structures that will inevitably be flooded.
[Y]our Future, According to Chris Leubkeman
As leader of Arup’s global Foresight + Research + Innovation team, Chris Luebkeman spends much of his time thinking about how to build tomorrow’s cities today. Writer Peter Moskowitz spoke with him about aging and climate change.

The White House Announces a Big New Resilience Collaboration
The White House yesterday announced several initiatives aimed at improving awareness of resilience practices around the country. One of the initiatives has enlisted 97 universities and other organizations to train design professionals.

U.S. Gasoline Consumption Jumps Three Percent in First Six Months of 2016
Gasoline consumption continued to increase for the first six months of the year, as it has for the last years, reports the Federal Highway Administration. What's different this year is that it was by the largest amount, ever.

U.S. District Court Judge Approves $14.7 Billion Settlement in VW Emissions Scandal
The record deal between Volkswagen, the federal government, California, and consumers directs $5 billion to states to mitigate air pollution. The remainder will be used to compensate consumers who purchased the tampered diesel cars.
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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
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont