Environment

Michigan Bill Would Be First to Allow Cars to Drive Without Humans
A state legislation package is aiming to clear hurdles obstructing the development of autonomous vehicles.

Paris to Begin Serious Car Restrictions on July 1
The carefree days of driving any-old-junker-they-please are over for Parisians, and they'll be even further obsolete when the calendar changes from June to July.

100 Resilient Cities Program Reaches 100 Members
The Rockefeller Foundation’s global initiative for urban resilience rounded out its membership this month with the addition of 37 cities.

Op-Ed: Talking Resilience Isn't the Same as Being Resilient
Resilience, as such, isn't a problem. But Alex Beam takes issue with the current flood of resilience-related jargon. Can you blame him?

One Reaction to an Invasive Plant Species: Eat It
When it comes to one particularly invasive plant species in Pittsburgh, some food retail businesses are saying, "if you can't beat it, eat it."

New Bus Service to Alleviate Congestion Between Portland and Multnomah Falls
Even natural attractions outside of urban areas have parking shortages and congestion problems.
Huge Drop in California Cap-and-Trade Revenues—Could Market Be Collapsing?
'Huge' is an understatement. Revenues were less than 2 percent of what was forecasted. The uncertainty of the continuance of the program may be responsible. The plummet in revenues to high-speed rail adds to uncertainty of the $64 billion project.

When Mt. Rainier Blows, What Will Be Left?
As with most natural disasters, it's not a question of 'if' but 'when' when it comes to the eruption of Mount Rainier in Washington state. Scientists lay out a scenario for what to expect when the volcano erupts.

L.A.'s Water Supply Increasingly Relying on Management of Stormwater
In October 2014, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti acted to make the city more resilient from drought and climate change. In 2016, we get an update from leaders Gary Hildebrand and Marty Adams on L.A.'s stormwater capture systems.

Months Before Turning 100, National Parks Are More Popular Than Ever
Turning 100 the same year as New York's first Zoning Code? The National Park Service, of course. The momentous occasion is likely to find the parks more popular than ever.

The Consequences of Sea Level Rise in the Florida Everglades
In South Florida, much of the focus in dealing with seal level rise has been on pumps and property values. A strong case is emerging, however, for the protection of the natural environment of the Everglades.

The Controversial National Parks Proposal Dividing Maine's North Woods
The Washington Post provides feature-length coverage of an ongoing, long-lasting controversy over a proposal by a wealthy landowner to donate 87,500 acres for the purposes of creating a new national park.

Lessons from the Paleolithic Era for Contemporary Urbanites
Gustav Milne makes a simple argument via The Guardian: urbanization "is bad for us."
Why Chicago Park Advocates Want to Preserve a Parking Lot
A Chicago nonprofit drew criticism for opposing the planned Lucas Museum in favor of a large parking lot. But the organization says it fits into their mission of promoting open space.

The Power of Prospect: A First Look at the Hills of Governors Island
In the tradition of great urban landscapes, the Hills of Governors Island will soon challenge the status quo and create a dynamic new type of park for all people to enjoy.

Portland Digs Into Data on Seismic Vulnerabilities
With an earthquake due to shake up the Pacific Northwest in the not so distant future, Portland has provided an online map to identify potentially vulnerable buildings in danger of suffering major damage when the big one hits.

Denver Stormwater Plan Ruffles Feathers
The Platte to Park Hill project would install new stormwater detention facilities at a golf course near Downtown Denver. Opponents to the project say it’s a burden on the neighborhood and a benefit to development interests farther down the watershed.
What Can Fort McMurray Learn from Greensburg, Kansas?
Rebuilding after a major disaster offers a unique opportunity for a community to step back and ask how it wants to build.

EPA Releases Final Methane Rule for New and Modified Oil and Gas Wells
While the methane reduction targets are the same as the draft rule released last August (i.e., 40-45 percent reduction of 2012 levels by 2025), the new rule removes exceptions, resulting in a 30 percent improvement in reductions of methane.

World Bank Report: Climate Change Puts 1.3 Billion People at Risk
Among the other interesting facts acknowledged by the World Bank: the costs of dealing with the effects of climate change are already increasingly quickly.
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
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