Environment

Vancouver Skyline

Vancouver City Council Eliminates Parking Mandates, Supports TOD

In a significant step for more diverse housing and transit-friendly development, the Vancouver City Council eliminated parking minimums and adopted a Transit-Oriented Areas (TOA) policy.

June 28, 2024 - City of Vancouver

View of green oil wells in a residential neighborhood in California.

Repurposing Oil Fields Into Parks: Advancing Just Transition and Community Well-being

The concept of a "just transition" extends beyond workers to encompass broader social and environmental dimensions, including the restoration and regeneration of land and communities affected by oil extraction activities.

June 28, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

View of city skyline in red smog indicating extreme heat.

The Heat Is On: Rising Temperatures Strain Urban Infrastructure

This summer is predicted to be one of the hottest on record, and heat waves will likely put physical and social infrastructure to the test.

June 28, 2024 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up of U.S. Supreme Court building with "Equial Justice Under the Law" carving across top.

SCOTUS Watch: Power of Federal Agencies Likely to be Restricted

A 1984 landmark Supreme Court ruling empowering federal agencies to interpret statutes when there is uncertainty is being challenged. The outcome will impact federal regulatory authority throughout government, particularly environmental protection.

June 28, 2024 - Irvin Dawid

View of Puente Hills landfill site in Los Angeles County.

California Allocates $12.5 Million for Landfill-to-Park Transformation

The grant will help to convert a 142-acre site, a portion of the former Puente Hills Landfill, into Los Angeles County's first new regional park in over 30 years.

June 27, 2024 - Waste Today

Curve in mountain highway along Teton Pass with snowy Wyoming mountains in background.

Mountain Road Collapses Force Isolation, Long Commutes

Threats to aging transportation infrastructure are putting remote communities at risk of being cut off from essential services.

June 27, 2024 - High Country News

Worker in safety vest leaning over expressing heat exhaustion standing next to orange shipping container.

Extreme Heat’s Far-Reaching Impacts

Heat is associated with worsened mental health, poorer test scores, and even higher car crash rates.

June 27, 2024 - Fast Company

Aerial view of San Jose, California with mountains in background.

Managing Unsheltered Homelessness in San Jose

As California and other Western states await a SCOTUS ruling that will greatly affect how cities deal with tent encampments, a new stakeholder is causing big changes in how Northern California's largest city deals with its unsheltered population.

June 26, 2024 - Irvin Dawid

California's State Library Park Pass Program Renewed Amid Budget Challenges

Californians can continue to access state parks for free by borrowing passes from their local libraries, thanks to the renewal of a state program.

June 26, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Row of colorful two-story beach homes on Gulf Coast beach in Alabama.

Alabama Funds Roof Replacements to Stave off Insurance Crisis

The Fortified roof program is helping tens of thousands of homeowners make their homes more resilient against hurricane damage.

June 26, 2024 - Stateline

View of traffic on bridge going into Manhattan, New York City at night.

Congestion Pricing Compromise?

A CBS News New York report suggests that Gov. Kathy Hochul is considering lifting her ‘indefinite pause’ on the Manhattan congestion pricing project if the $15 toll was lowered. Litigation threatened by the NYC comptroller may be a factor.

June 26, 2024 - Irvin Dawid

Overhead view of black asphalt parking lot with white lined parking spots with EV charging logos.

Study Highlights Equity Gaps in California's EV Incentives

A UCLA research team identifies gaps in incentive uptake and electric vehicle registration rates in disadvantaged communities.

June 25, 2024 - UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation

Three dark brown wild horses stand in a meadow near Farson, Wyoming.

Utah and Wyoming Sue BLM Over Conservation Rule

The states allege the agency overstepped federal regulations in its attempt to boost conservation efforts on public lands.

June 25, 2024 - WyoFile

White pelican with black wings flying low over water at Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve in Van Nuys, California.

Revitalizing Sepulveda Basin: A Green Vision for An Urban Oasis

Developed through the input of thousands of community members, this is the first comprehensive plan by the City of Los Angeles for the 2,000-acre basin.

June 25, 2024 - ABC7 Eyewitness News

Rendering of plus-shaped floating pool next to Brooklyn Bridge in East River.

NYC Launches Public Swimming Plan

The city’s efforts to bring more pools and beaches to its residents could have rippling effects across the state.

June 25, 2024 - Fast Company

Close-up of mountain lion in the Santa Monica Mountains, California.

Cougar Death Highlights Urgent Need for Wildlife Crossing

A mountain lion was found dead on the 101 Freeway, less than half a mile from the steel and concrete endoskeleton of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing.

June 24, 2024 - The Acorn

Close-up of two children sitting on edge of swimming pool with their feet in the water.

Beating the Heat: Expanding Access to Swimming Pools

The swim season for Los Angles County public pools has been extended, with swim facilities open for five months to provide relief from the hot weather.

June 24, 2024 - ABC7 Eyewitness News

Wildfire burning at night on hillsides next to Lake Elsinore, California.

California Faces Early Surge in Wildfires

Summer is just beginning, but wildfires in California have already burned more than 90,000 acres.

June 24, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Overhead view of salmon farm in sea in Norway.

New TV Series Highlights Sustainable Aquaculture

Hope in the Water explores the groundbreaking work of dedicated fishers, aqua farmers, and scientists who are seeking to harvest aquatic species to feed our growing population while protecting the oceans.

June 24, 2024 - PBS

View of Palos Verdes Drive along Pacific Ocean in Palos Verdes, California at sunset.

Erosion Threatens SoCal Road, Lloyd Wright Icon

The city of Palos Verdes is closing parts of a roadway to cyclists, citing safety concerns as the land underneath moves between 7 and 12 inches per week.

June 23, 2024 - Daily Breeze

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.