Environment

Former Leaders Backtrack on Climate Commitments

In order to stave off the worst climate change scenarios, experts have recommended that the world's countries must aggressively expand their efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Some surprising countries are headed in the opposite direction.

November 22, 2013 - Grist

10 Ways Cities Are Turning Back Time

It's back to the future for global cities, now that we've realized what a mess the 20th century was.

November 20, 2013 - Future Cities

U.S. Think Tank Questions Australia's Environmental Policies

The Centre for Global Development, authors of the Commitment to Development Index, has ranked Australia well in terms of its policies towards developing countries but it falls down the index on its environmental policies.

November 19, 2013 - The Guardian - Australia

Injustice Becomes a Focus of Climate Negotiations

In the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, the unequal impacts of climate change have become a focus of discussions at an international climate conference in Warsaw. The most vulnerable (often poor) nations are demanding compensation from developed ones.

November 18, 2013 - The New York Times

130 Years on, Boston's Emerald Necklace Still a Model Linear Park

Writer Kaid Benfield used a recent trip the American Society of Landscape Architects annual meeting in Boston to reflect on what that city can teach us about designing urban parks.

November 17, 2013 - NRDC Switchboard Blog

Visionary Concepts Make "Rebuild by Design" Shortlist

10 bold ideas for building the New York area's resiliency have been selected to move to the final round of a design competition run by HUD. The best designs could tap into billions of dollars in Hurricane Sandy relief funds.

November 17, 2013 - ArchDaily

Record U.S. Oil Production, but How Long Will it Last?

A milestone was reached last month in oil imports: For the first time in 18 years, the U.S. produced more oil than it imported thanks to fracking and reduced consumption. But according to a new IEA report, shale oil growth will peak within a decade.

November 15, 2013 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

Visualizing the Earth's Vanishing Forests

A new study appearing in the journal Science details the devastating loss of 1.5 million million square kilometers of forest across the globe between 2000 and 2012 and presents a stunning visualization of the data using high-resolution maps.

November 15, 2013 - The Washington Post

New Neighborhood Sets Extraordinary Bar for Sustainability

Sure, reusing an existing building is probably the most sustainable method of construction, but a new neighborhood on Bainbridge Island, Washington sets an enviable standard for environmental responsibility in every aspect of its design.

November 15, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Are U.S. Workers Ditching Public Transportation?

Recent census data suggests that, while public transit use increased in U.S. cities during the recessionary period, it may be on the decline yet again.

November 14, 2013 - Future Cities

As Seas Rise, Can South Florida Keep its Head Above Water?

With much of its highly-developed coastline located just a few feet above sea level, Florida is highly vulnerable to global warming. But you wouldn't know that by the actions (or inaction) of state legislators and business leaders.

November 14, 2013 - The New York Times

During Driest Year on Record, California Seeks to Seed Clouds

For those of you who thought "cloud seeding" was science fiction, California has actually been refining the practice for more than six decades. As the state experiences its driest year on record, utilities are preparing their seeding systems.

November 13, 2013 - The Sacramento Bee

The Super Typhoon and Climate Change

The head of the Philippines delegation at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Warsaw suggests climate change is responsible for Typhoon Haiyan. Is he right? Quartz investigates the connection.

November 12, 2013 - Quartz

Sickened by Site Visit, Feds Want to Halt Drilling at Central L.A. Oil Field

Sen. Barbara Boxer is calling for an oil field owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of L.A. to suspend operations after EPA officials were sickened during a recent site visit. The field has been the subject of hundreds of neighbor complaints.

November 11, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

A photo of protesters on the front lawn of the Ohio Statehouse during the State of the Union speech by Governer Kasich.

Ohio State Senators Want to Ban LEED

If two Ohio state senators get their way, the Buckeye State will be the latest on the anti-LEED bandwagon.

November 11, 2013 - Ecobuilding Pulse

Climate Change Deniers, Take Notice

Save your ink if you're writing a letter to the editor of the Los Angeles Times - deniers have now been warned that the paper won't print letters 'that say there's no sign humans have caused climate change'.

November 10, 2013 - Los Angeles Times - Opinion

Amsterdam Will Harvest Urine for Green Roofs

As part of a campaign for International Water Week, Amsterdam's water corporation, Waternet, will use struvite from donated urine in order to fertilize the city's green roofs.

November 10, 2013 - Future Cities

Seeking Sustainability Beyond LEED

What does it take to build sustainably? That a question that the USGBC's LEED program hoped to define. A group of developers in New York is trying to go beyond LEED to create "truly sustainable buildings".

November 9, 2013 - The New York Times

How a Polar Meltdown Would Reshape the Planet's Coastlines

While we won't live to see it, humanity's carbon emissions could one day melt all of the ice on Earth. National Geographic's interactive map shows how the world's coastlines would change when sea levels rise 216 feet. Say goodbye to Florida.

November 8, 2013 - National Geographic

Fracking Bans Fare Well in Colorado Elections

Fracking bans passed overwhelmingly in the Front Range cities of Boulder, Fort Collins and Lafayette but appeared to be losing by a mere 248 votes in Broomfield as of 11 p.m. on election night.

November 7, 2013 - The Denver Post

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.

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.