Environment

An analysis of the geographic distribution of New York's new public plazas sought to determine if the program was meeting one of its stated goals: providing access to public plazas for low- and moderate-income households.

July 5, 2016 - Placemeter

Operated by Canadian oil giant Enbridge, Line 5 is an underwater pipeline running beneath the Mackinac Straits, which connect Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas. A rupture in the aging pipes could mean catastrophe.

July 5, 2016 - Pacific Standard

The City Council in Oakland, California took its first, substantive steps toward banning the handling and storage of coal in the city.

July 3, 2016 - NBC Bay Area

Parks and other public open spaces continue to be squeezed out by private development and attempts to limit political dissent throughout cities in Arab countries.

July 1, 2016 - The Economist

The San Francisco Chronicle gives feature-length, in-depth treatment to the looming dangers of sea level rise, which are more likely to encroach on the built and natural environments of the Bay Area with every passing year.

July 1, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

It will only take us two-and-a-half minutes to catch you up on the big planning news from the last week of June.

July 1, 2016 - Planetizen

A project launched several years ago in New York City is making its way to cities around the world—much like the bacteria that the world's billions of transit users transfer around the surfaces of subway trains, stations, and buses.

June 29, 2016 - Centre for Genomic Regulation

It's been less than a year since Volkswagen got caught installing software on cars to cheat emissions testing. Today the company settled out of court—paying the bulk of a $16 billion settlement to vehicle owners.

June 29, 2016 - KPCC

The study by the Paris-based International Energy Agency finds a direct connection to the energy industry. Credit goes to IEA executive director Fatih Birol for expanding the organization's mission beyond its traditional purpose, energy security.

June 29, 2016 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

The headline presents a bit of a mind-bender, but scientists are racing to grapple with the consequences of human-induced climate change in the northern regions of the globe.

June 28, 2016 - The Washington Post

It's not just Americans favor SUVs and light truck over compact cars, but that a majority of EV and hybrid owners who have traded in their cars are opting for all-gas vehicles, and that spells trouble for meeting President Obama's climate goals.

June 27, 2016 - The New York Times - Science

The Garden City concept has a long and honorable pedigree within urban planning. Analysis of Sterling Ranch, a master-planned community outside of Denver, Colorado highlights some important issues around social and environmental sustainability.

June 26, 2016 - Dean Saitta

The biggest news stories of a big week in planning and land use—all in just over two minutes.

June 24, 2016 - Planetizen

Opponents of federal oversight rejoice: a ruling by U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl reiterates the limitations of the federal government to regulate fracking.

June 23, 2016 - KUOW

California has suffered at least 700 wildfires since the beginning of 2016, and that number is only expected to rise this summer. Orange County Fire Chief Jeff Bowman explains what California must do to combat unprecedented risks.

June 23, 2016 - The Planning Report

As climate changes in the Rockies and the southwest, Lake Powell is gradually shrinking. The debate over Glen Canyon Dam is on again, and this time environmentalists aren't the only ones against it.

June 23, 2016 - Pacific Standard

The city of Waukesha will be able to pump water from the Great Lakes to replace its contaminated local ground water supply. It's the first community outside the Great lakes watershed allowed to divert water under terms of the Great Lakes Compact.

June 21, 2016 - Chicago Tribune

A group of "citizen data scientists" produced a predictive analytic model that offers citizens better information about water quality on beaches along Lake Michigan in Chicago.

June 21, 2016 - Data-Smart City Solutions

After the huge success of the 2015 edition, with more than 14,000 visitors and 105 countries attending the show, Fira de Barcelona readies the sixth edition focusing on citizens and the circular economy.

June 21, 2016 - Cities of the Future

Part literature review, part political appeal, this article makes the case for rethinking the concept of what makes plants native—especially in the face of climate change.

June 20, 2016 - UGEC Viewpoints