Environment

Can Electric Cars Break Out of Niche Market?

Are you an environmentally aware, well educated, upper-middle class white man in your early 50s with a garage equipped with an electric outlet? If so, you meet the demographic to buy an electric vehicle. And that may be the EV's only potential group.

November 27, 2012 - USA Today

The Alarming Urbanization of the Amazon

Simon Romero discusses how new development in Brazil's fastest growing region is depleting the world’s largest remaining area of tropical forest.

November 27, 2012 - The New York Times

NYC Studies How to Build Resiliency

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, a new task force convened by New York's Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and City Council speaker Christine C. Quinn will look into potential changes to the city's building code, with recommendations due next summer.

November 26, 2012 - The New York Times

What Do America's Cities Stand to Lose from Rising Seas?

In an astonishing interactive graphic and accompanying opinion piece, Benjamin Strauss and Roberr Kopp outline several likely scenarios for the impact of rising seas on America's urban areas. New Orleans and Miami Beach could be completely submerged.

November 26, 2012 - The New York Times

The New Promise of Urban Ecology

Courtney Humphries takes a look at recent federal investment in research on the complex interrelationship between human settlements and the natural environment.

November 26, 2012 - Nature

Rising to the Real Challenge of Sandy

Michael Kimmelman takes a hard look at the political and bureaucratic obstacles that stand in the way of a forward-thinking approach to rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

November 23, 2012 - The New York Times

Bringing the Countryside to the City

Paula Cocozza discusses Britain's "new ruralism" trend as "the pastoral idyll" invades its cities. Is it possible to have the best of both worlds within walking distance of each other?

November 21, 2012 - The Guardian

Carbon Emissions Now Have a Price - in California

It's official - for large industrial sources in California, the cost for emitting a ton of carbon dioxide or equivalent is $10.09 - nine cents above the minimum price set by the Air Board. That was the price paid at the first auction on Nov. 14.

November 21, 2012 - San Jose Mercury News

Bring Your Own Bag in Delhi

Every year, Delhi produces 250,000 tons of plastic waste. Starting on November 23, the city government "will begin enforcing a ban on the manufacture, import, sale, storage and use of plastic bags, sheets, films or tubs," reports Raksha Kumar.

November 21, 2012 - The New York Times

'Climate Dividend' Proposed for California Utility Customers

California residential utility customers will receive a 'climate dividend', about $30 twice a year as part of the nation's first comprehensive 'cap & trade' program if the CA Public Utility Commission accepts a staff proposal at its Dec. 20 meeting,

November 20, 2012 - San Francisco Chronicle

World Bank Outlines Global Warming 'Doomsday Scenario'

Howard Schneider examines a recent study by the World Bank, issued as a call-to-action for the international community not merely to curb, but to plan for and mitigate the crises that a 4°C rise in global temperatures would bring.

November 20, 2012 - The Washington Post

Hedges shaped like cars

Is a Car More Environmentally Friendly Than Mass Transit?

Angie Schmitt takes issue with the controversial premise of a recent story from the popular Freakonomics guys. True to their reputation for counter-intuition, their most recent report makes the claim that "driving is greener than transit."

November 16, 2012 - DC.Streetsblog

Copenhagen Tops List of Europe's Smartest Cities

Based on a new metric he's developed for defining the components of a smart city, Boyd Cohen ranks the top cities in Europe that are "working the hardest to be the most advanced urban landscape."

November 16, 2012 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Chinese Government Responds to Growing NIMBYism

For the last 30 years, China has led the world in economic growth at a hefty environmental price. Widespread protests have prompted the cabinet of China to mandate a "social risk assessment" for industrial projects, reports Keith Bradsher.

November 16, 2012 - The New York Times

California Auctions First Carbon Credits; Chamber of Commerce Sues

California's climate law reached a milestone on Nov. 14 when the state auctioned its first carbon credits in the 'Cap & Trade' provision of the bill. But that didn't stop the CA Chamber of Commerce from filing suit against this provision of the law.

November 15, 2012 - The Sacramento Bee - Business

Peak Oil? 'Far Too Much' Oil to Prevent Severe Climate Change

Confirming an earlier Dept. of Energy report, the International Energy Agency's World Energy Outlook indicates not only that U.S. oil production will surpass Saudi Arabia's by 2020, but that it will be a net exporter by 2030 - thanks to fracking.

November 14, 2012 - Bloomberg News

Scaling Up the Local Food Movement

Small farmers generally sell their wares at farmers markets rather than to grocery stores or institutions. But two entrepreneurs in Virginia are seeking to change that by creating a food hub to aggregate, process, grow, and promote local produce.

November 14, 2012 - Grist

Exposing America's Water Crisis

Cynthia Barnett says Americans live under an "illusion of water abundance" and calls for government water managers and private water companies to "stem the drain on America's water resources before it's too late."

November 13, 2012 - The Los Angeles Times

Tourists on walkways over flood waters in Venice

Record Floods Submerge Venice

New York isn't the only famous city suffering from the effects of record high water levels. Seventy percent of Venice is submerged. The Daily Mail has stunning images of tourists swimming in St. Mark's Square and wading through waist-high water.

November 12, 2012 - Daily Mail

Finding Homes for America's Veterans

On Veterans Day, Kaid Benfield reports on efforts underway to house and serve America's veterans sustainably.

November 12, 2012 - Switchboard

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.