Environment

Two cows grazing in a field with Bighorn Mountains in background in Wyoming.

Industry Groups Sue BLM Over Public Lands Rule

Farmers, ranchers, and others are challenging a policy change that puts conservation on the same footing as other land uses.

July 19, 2024 - Bloomberg Law

Arizona Streets

Deadly Contact Burns Rising in the Southwest

As heat waves become more frequent and severe, hospitals are seeing more patients admitted with serious, sometimes life-threatening burns from asphalt and other outdoor surfaces.

July 17, 2024 - The New York Times

Street scene in Greenwich Village, New York City with people walking through busy intersection and new WTC tower in background.

New York State Climate Plan Stalls

Of 35 recommendations presented in the state’s climate scoping plan, just one has been implemented so far.

July 17, 2024 - New York Focus

Aerial view of large warehouse in neighborhood.

Playing With Numbers, Even for Environmental Justice, Isn't Justified

Environmental justice is an important issue, but does not justify playing with the numbers. But that's exactly what I found in a new study of the impacts of warehouses in New Jersey done by the Environmental Defense Foundation.

July 17, 2024 - Alan Mallach

View of Portland skyline with green trees in foreground.

Invasive Beetles Put Oregon Forests at Risk

Two recently discovered borer beetles could lead to a significant loss of tree canopy.

July 16, 2024 - OPB

House filled with sand and damaged by debris after Hurricane Sandy.

FEMA Rule Calls for Updated Flood Modeling

Agency-funded projects will be required to be elevated at least 2 feet above the projected local flood level.

July 16, 2024 - Construction Dive

View of downtown Pittsburgh, PA with colorful fall trees in foreground.

Pittsburgh Nonprofit Awarded $200K for Urban Trees

The USDA grant is focused on providing disease-resistant fruit trees to local residents.

July 16, 2024 - Lancaster Farming

Close-up of fleet modern electric EV delivery vans being charged in covered parking garage.

USDOT Unveils Strategies to Achieve Near-Zero Transportation Emissions

Three key strategies — reducing travel distances, increasing energy-efficient travel modes, and transitioning to zero-emission vehicles and fuels — are recommended to meet national climate goals under the Paris Agreement.

July 15, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Defunct oil well disassembled in green field.

$127 Million Allocated to Clean Up Orphaned Wells in Five States

The funding will be used to plug orphaned oil and gas wells, addressing environmental hazards, creating jobs, and advancing environmental justice as part of a larger effort funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

July 15, 2024 - U.S. Department of the Interior

Flooded freeway underpass with red and white WRONG WAY sign in Houston, Texas during Hurricane Beryl in July 2024.

Houston Could Face Stronger Storms. Is the City Prepared?

Experts say Hurricane Beryl, which landed as a category 1, revealed that the city’s infrastructure may not successfully withstand stronger storms.

July 15, 2024 - Inside Climate News

University of Freiburg modern glass library building.

Using AI to Model Climate Impacts

A German research team used AI to understand how thermal stress will impact urban infrastructure down to the street level.

July 15, 2024 - Phys.org

Two utility workers looking up at power lines against purplish sunset sky.

Federal and State Responses to Extreme Heat

Governments are mobilizing resources to address the impacts of longer and more intense heat waves on public health and infrastructure.

July 12, 2024 - Pew Trusts

Close-up of yellow and black goldspotted oak borer beetle on blade of grass.

Invasive Beetles Threaten California's Oak Trees

Goldspotted oak borers are damaging California's oak trees, increasing wildfire risks and causing ecological and economic losses, with mitigation focused on local firewood sourcing and tree management.

July 11, 2024 - Fox 5

Aerial view of brownfield area with digger loading a dump truck.

Revitalizing Toxic Sites Using Fungi and Plants

Fungi and plants are being used to detoxify polluted sites, turning hazardous brownfields into vibrant meadows and empowering communities with eco-friendly remediation skills.

July 11, 2024 - Yale Environment 360

Aerial view of downtown Phoenix, Arizona at sunset.

Phoenix Nonprofit Offers Medical Services to Unhoused Residents

The mobile medical units are administering IV fluids and treating heat-related illnesses as extreme heat blankets the Southwest.

July 10, 2024 - KOLD

Aerial view of park playground in West Los Angeles, California.

LA County Releases Funding for Parkland Acquisition in Underserved Communities

Los Angeles County has released $14.5 million in Measure A grant funds to support parkland acquisition in high-need areas, aiming to create additional green spaces and advance environmental justice and equity.

July 10, 2024 - Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District

Bird's eye view of water treatment plant next to water body.

Climate Change Putting Coastal Infrastructure at Risk

More than 1,000 coastal facilities could flood as often as once a month as sea levels rise, according to a study from the Union of Concerned Scientists.

July 10, 2024 - WUWF

California Aqueduct channel in flat farmland area.

California’s 2024 Drinking Water Needs Assessment Reveals Critical Issues in Public Water Systems

The assessment identifies 385 failing public water systems and highlights significant funding gaps and affordability challenges in ensuring safe drinking water for disadvantaged communities.

July 9, 2024 - WaterWorld

View of trees and pond at Ernest E. Debs Regional Park in Los Angeles, California.

From Academia to Action: An Indigenous Reforestation Effort in Los Angeles

Ary Amaya, a UCLA graduate student, leads an Indigenous-led reforestation effort in Los Angeles, integrating cultural practices and ecological restoration across 27 acres to promote Indigenous sovereignty and sustainable land management.

July 8, 2024 - UCLA Newsroom

Green oil well in California neighborhood.

California's Struggle to End Neighborhood Oil Drilling Faces Fierce Industry Opposition

Assembly Bill 1866 aims to address the health hazards caused by idle oil wells in low-income communities by enforcing stricter regulations on oil companies to accelerate well cleanup, despite significant opposition from the oil industry.

July 8, 2024 - Inside Climate News

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.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.