Environment
With Bloomberg Contribution, Sierra Club Hopes to Shutter Coal Plants
With $60 million in contributions, half from from the former mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, the Sierra Club will embark on one of its biggest campaigns: close half of the nation's coal power plants by 2017. Plus, a new coal rule goes to court.
Seattle Eco-District Fosters Green Development
In a bid to knit sustainability into large-scale community development, Seattle's Capitol Hill EcoDistrict is exploring several avenues toward greener land use.
An Inside Perspective on Los Angeles' New Sustainable City Plan
Mark Gold, who helped craft Los Angeles' 20-year plan for water, energy, waste, resilience, and environmental justice, gives a breakdown of the document in light of the county's current failings.
Counties Seek State Aid as Drought Deepens in Oregon
California's drought is getting all the press, but much of Oregon is in the fourth year of drought, with this year now qualifying as "exceptional drought."
Friday Eye Candy: Mapping the Country's Seasonal Bloom
Wondering when and where spring will bloom? The U.S. Forest Service has just the map to lead you to the fruits of your seasonal desires.
Federal Dollars Still Erasing Sandy's Footprint
Subway restoration and resilience efforts depend for a large part on federal relief. South Ferry Station, still new when the storm hit, will basically be rebuilt from scratch.
Management, Not Technology, Will Solve California's Drought
It should come as no surprise that Eduardo Porter, who writes the Economic Scene column for The New York Times, is not enamoured by technological silver bullets like desalination as ways for California to survive it's four-year plus drought.
Los Angeles Releases Ambitious 'Sustainable City Plan'
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has ambitious plans to modernize the city. This week his administration laid out a sweeping sustainability agenda on matters of critical importance to the future of the nation's second largest city.
'Most Endangered River' in the United States: the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon
American Rivers' list of the "Most Endangered" U.S. rivers provides an annual reminder of the abuse waterways bear in the name of the country's economy and culture.
New York Zoning Amendments to Speed Sandy Recovery Efforts
The city of New York is still working to support property owners in their recovery from Hurricane Sandy—as well as their preparation for the next extreme weather event. The zoning code is one area in need of improvement.
New State Symbol of Arizona: The Disposable Plastic Bag?
The legislature passed a bill on April 2 that bans local governments from banning single-use plastic bags as well as other disposable containers under the premise that it's bad for the state economy, though only one city in the state has such a law.
The Intellectual Approach to Conservative Climate Change Policy
A writer for a national environmental publication searches for middle ground in the climate change policy debate.
France to Require Green Roofs for Commercial Buildings
The French Parliament has approved legislation requiring commercial buildings to partially cover their rooftops in either plants or solar panels.
Exploring the Unique, Threatened Florida Everglades
Fusion has produced a multi-media exposé on the endangered Florida Everglades.
California Drought Makes History: Mandatory Restrictions, Record Low Snowpack
A wet December was all California got—but it wasn't nearly enough to put a dent in the state's drought. The problem, in fact, got much worse over the winter season.
China's Megacities May Soon Rely on Urban Farming
While widespread urban farming remains pipe dream in the United States, dwindling arable land and a mass shift to cities might make it a necessity in China.
The Huge Potential for Passive Buildings in the Big Apple
In NYC, unlike most areas in the United States, buildings, rather than transportation, are the major source of carbon emissions. Passive buildings, with their negligible heating and cooling costs, could help meet carbon reduction goals.
Chicago Sources River Ideas from Citizens
The Metropolitan Planning Council of Chicago wants to get in on the recent upswing in crowdsourced planning solutions. They are looking to the public for input on the Chicago river system's future.
Urban Farming Gains a Foothold in Houston
Operated by a pair of brothers, Finca Tres Robles is one of several Houston farms coaxing fresh produce from unused urban land. Increasingly, urban farmers compete with developers for space.
Designing the Shadow-less Skyscraper
Architects at NBBJ in London have designed a building—two buildings rather—that work together to cancel out the shadows they cast.
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
