Environment

Friday Eye Candy: SPUR's Urban Cartography Exhibit

Allison Arieff provides a glimpse to the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research's new exhibit featuring interesting maps of the San Francisco Bay Area.

November 21, 2014 - Medium

The Litterati Impact: Cleaning the Planet One Instagram at a Time

#litterati. That's the hashtag. See a piece of litter, post it on Instagram, then throw the trash away. Simple.

November 21, 2014 - Urbanful

Settling the Dust in the Owens Valley

After years of feud between Los Angeles and the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District, a more sustainable deal has been reached to eradicate the toxic dust storms plaguing Owens Valley.

November 20, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

Did Obama Bet on the Wrong Electric Vehicle Technology?

With Toyota's long-waited fuel cell electric vehicle (FCV) hitting showrooms in the U.S. this week, Kenneth Chang, science reporter for The New York Times, delves further into the technology, starting with how it fared under two administrations.

November 19, 2014 - The New York Times - Environment

Smart Planning for Watershed Protection

Planning for growth impacts watersheds in rural and urban settings. Kaid Benfield provides access to best practices for both ends of the development spectrum.

November 17, 2014 - The Huffington Post

Study Complicates Relationship of Population Growth, Emissions Reduction

More people translates to more emissions, right? Cut back on population growth and you'll reduce emissions and the threat of climate change, along with other environmental woes—it's a no-brainer. Or is it?

November 16, 2014 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

If Keystone Bill Becomes Law, Would it be Built?

It's not a foregone conclusion that President Obama would veto a bill expected in the Senate next week to allow the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. But if it were to pass and Obama signs it, would it be built? CNBC investigates.

November 15, 2014 - CNBC

Will the Historic Climate Accord Survive the U.S. Political Process?

While environmentalists were hailing the historic carbon emissions reduction agreement between the leaders of the United States and China, the world's two largest emitters, Republican leaders wasted no time in slamming the accord.

November 13, 2014 - CBS News

U.S.-China

Climate Change Targets? No Problem! We Have Win-Win Solutions

Ambitious new emission reduction targets can be met with strategies that also help achieve other economic, social, and environmental objectives.

November 13, 2014 - Todd Litman

Energy Taxes Now Flowing to Texas Highway Fund

Thanks to voters, at least $1.2 billion in oil and gas taxes a year that would normally have been directed to the state's Rainy Day Fund is diverted to the highway fund, where it will be used to improve the state's crumbling road infrastructure.

November 12, 2014 - Newsradio 1200 WOAI

Breaking News: China and U.S. Agree to Emissions Reduction Plan

A surprise, groundbreaking agreement between China and the United States was unveiled in Beijing at the end of the APEC conference, providing hope that the world can reduce the threat from climate change.

November 12, 2014 - NPR

Urban Ecology and the Evolution of the City

A recent article reveals the inconspicuous nature of the city—an ecosystem, "pipes and all."

November 12, 2014 - The Boston Globe

Environmental Regulations a Top Priority for the New Republican Majority

Rolling back the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's tough climate regulations could be the first of many new energy and environmental goals for the GOP majority of the 114th Congress.

November 11, 2014 - The Hill

Nuances Of NIMBYism

Harvard Professor Naomi Oreskes' recently issued a plea to "stop hating on NIMBYs." But the righteousness of NIMBYism, or the "hatred" thereof, depends, in large part, on whether opposition takes place in an urban or rural setting.

November 10, 2014 - California Planning & Development Report

recycled greywater

U.S. Water Use Hits 45-Year Low

Recent data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) shows that the country is using less water even as its population grows.

November 6, 2014 - United States Geological Survey

Campaign 2014 Results: Transportation, Energy, Conservation Measures

We've covered a wide variety of ballot measures that appeared on the Nov. 4, 2014 ballot. While the media has focused greatly on Congressional and gubernatorial outcomes, we'll look at the results of the state and local measures we've covered here.

November 6, 2014 - T4America Blog

Drilling Bans on Three California County Ballots Today

San Benito and Santa Barbara County voters will decide on fracking ban measures on Tuesday that go beyond the controversial extraction technology by including acidization and "steam flooding." Mendocino County will also have a fracking ban measure.

November 4, 2014 - San Francisco Chronicle

Campaign 2014: Controversial Conservation Ballot in North Dakota

Should the state dedicate five percent of its substantial oil and natural gas taxes to conservation efforts? Outdoors groups, hunters, and environmental activists say yes; energy companies say no, and millions of dollars are being spent on each side.

November 3, 2014 - Governing

New Los Angeles Mayoral Directive on Water Conservation

In an effort to conserve water and prevent the expensive water importation in the future, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti recently published a new directive for city-wide water conservation.

October 31, 2014 - Los Angeles Mayor

The Environmental Downside of Falling Oil Prices

Ben Adler of Grist writes how falling oil prices will affect climate change. Cheaper gas prices may encourage more driving and more truck sales at the expense of hybrid, electric, and fuel efficient cars, but the news may not be all bad.

October 31, 2014 - Grist

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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.