Environment

Honolulu Law Would Reduce Construction Waste

Legislation working its way through the Honolulu City Council could require construction companies doing work in the Hawaiian city to recycle or reuse as much as 60% of construction materials.

August 31, 2010 - Pacific Business News

Smart Meters Facing Resistance

Some California residents complained that their energy bills spiked after smart meters were installed, while others are concerned about the antennas. Can these fears hinder the growth of smart meters in the state?

August 30, 2010 - Grist

Will Atlanta Grow No More?

Citing three examples of growing pains in Metro Atlanta, this piece wonders whether the region is incapable of efficiently growing any further.

August 30, 2010 - The Economist

Can This Desert Oasis Project Actually Be Green?

This piece from Fast Company Design looks at plans for an eco-conscious-yet-inappropriately lush desert development being planned in Oman, and wonders whether a project so out of place will actually work.

August 27, 2010 - Fast Company Design

"Dilbert" Creator Tries to Build Green House

Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert comic strip, walks readers through the planners, planning commissioners, architects and builders that plagued him through his quest to build a sustainable home.

August 25, 2010 - The Wall St. Journal

De-Paving and Improving Urban Permeability

A new test program to de-pave the city of Baltimore is turning the soil formerly covered by city school playgrounds. The project is aimed at reducing runoff.

August 24, 2010 - The Balimore Sun

A New Ethic for Urban Reinvention

In a unique collaboration, an American lawyer and a Venezuelan architect merge thinking on holistic design, planning and regulation

August 23, 2010 - myurbanist

A Data-Based Interpretation of Burning Man

The annual week-long art festival Burning Man is kind of hard to define. This infographic provides some data and context about the event and the temporary city it forms in the Nevada desert every year.

August 22, 2010 - SPUR Urbanist

Soda Giant Leading Effort to Clean World's Polluted Rivers

As rural and urban runoff taints the waters of the Yangtze River in China, environmentalists have joined forces with Coca-Cola to try to improve water quality -- a move that's good for water users in China, and for the water-dependent business.

August 20, 2010 - Knowledge@Wharton

Learning From and Reshaping the Urban Food System

With her Foodprint project, Nicola Twilley wondered what one could learn about a city by looking at it through the lens of food. In this piece on Urban Omnibus she shares what she's learned.

August 19, 2010 - Urban Omnibus

An Urban River Ignored

The James River runs right through downtown Richmond, Virginia. But with few public access points, the river is a largely ignored part of the urban realm.

August 19, 2010 - Richmond Times-Dispatch

79% of Oil Still in Gulf, According to Researchers

Researchers estimate that roughly three-quarters of the oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico is still dangerously concentrated in the water, a claim that disputes official word from the government that much of the oil has been safely dispersed.

August 18, 2010 - The Wall Street Journal

Solar Farm Has Ideal Location But Environmental Impacts

A renewable energy company wants to build a major solar power farm on former ranchland in rural California. But environmental concerns over habitat and scenic beauty could stall the process.

August 18, 2010 - NPR

Scotland to Build Floating Wind Farm Offshore

Officials in Scotland have announced plans to build a farm of floating wind turbines offshore.

August 18, 2010 - The Guardian

The Gradual Greening of Canadian Cities

Canadian cities like Montreal and Vancouver are riding the green train, aiming to transform themselves into some of the greenest cities in the world.

August 17, 2010 - The Canadian Press via Yahoo!

Questions and Concerns About China's Mega-Dam

China's mega-dam, the Three Gorges, is facing some growing pains as recent storms have put the structure to the test.

August 17, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

Green Building, Black Lung?

The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED building rating system has helped grow the ranks of green buildings, but some say it ignores the human health impact of those buildings.

August 17, 2010 - Yale Environment 360

Understand Nature to Grow Green Jobs

Clean energy jobs aren't just about slapping solar panels on building, according to this op-ed. Building the green economy relies on building our own understanding of the interplay of natural systems.

August 16, 2010 - Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal-Sentinel

Hydroelectric Dam Energizes and Displaces in Amazon

Plans to construct an $11 billion hydroelectric dam in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil has officials excited about the new energy it will create, and some locals preparing to relocate.

August 16, 2010 - The New York Times

Solar Power Moves Ahead in The California Desert

"Nine projects in California are making their way through the Bureau of Land Management's fast-track program which, if completed, will bring over 4,500 megawatts worth of generating capacity onto the grid."

August 16, 2010 - CNET News

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.