Environment

Small Wind Turbines Making Big Inroads

A new report from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) says that the number of small wind turbines in the U.S. has grown considerably over the last year, adding 20 megawatts of production.

May 26, 2010 - CNET

New Urbanism, Cheap Money, and the Road Ahead

James Howard Kunstler uses his time at the Congress for the New Urbanism to reflect on the road the New Urbanists have taken, the opposition they've faced, and the bubble financing that made it all possible.

May 25, 2010 - Kunstler.com

Calthorpe, California and Climate Change

Peter Calthorpe sees California Assembly Bill 32, the law mandating a state-wide reduction in carbon emissions, as the key to pushing through great urbanism.

May 23, 2010 - Fast Company

Report: Senate Climate Legislation Good For Economy

In the first major study of how the Senate climate legislation would affect the economy, a non-partisan think tank indicated it would create new jobs and reduce American reliance on oil and coal while increasing usage of both nuclear and renewables.

May 23, 2010 - Greenwire via The New York Times - Energy & Environment

Inside an Urban Water System

Urban water systems are immense -- and little-understood. Places presents this video from the Center for Urban Pedagogy looking down below the streets to illuminate the mystery city water delivery.

May 22, 2010 - Places

Locavore Movement, Ecological Concerns Spur Urban Apiaries

In an effort to help rebuild bee populations and support healthy diets and urban ecosystems, more cities are encouraging efforts at urban beekeeping.

May 21, 2010 - The Globe and Mail

Chickens Come Home To Urban Roost?

Another city, South Florida's Delray Beach, wrestles with whether chickens can co-exist with urban residents.

May 21, 2010 - South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Small Farms Growing On Top of New York Schools

Green roofs are growing on the tops of schools in New York City, where small farms are being integrated into the curriculum.

May 20, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

New Urbanism at 30 and its Impact on America

The Atlantic talks with architect and planner Andres Duany about 30 years of the New Urbanism, and how the urban landscape of America has changed over that time.

May 20, 2010 - The Atlantic

A Drastic New Life For Baltimore's Middle Branch Shoreline

Baltimore's Middle Branch waterfront has sat unused for years, since its recent decline as an industrial hub. But a developer has a new plan to drastically remake the 52-acre shoreline.

May 20, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

Can Preservationists and Conservationists Work Together?

Blair Kamin, architecture critic for the Chicago Tribune, says that historic preservationists need to rethink their "preservation at all costs" strategies in light of global warming.

May 19, 2010 - Preservation Magazine

Time for an International Conservation Market?

A recent proposal by Britain's Conservative Party to create a system of conservation credits to protect biodiversity should be expanded to a global scale, according to this piece from The Guardian.

May 19, 2010 - The Guardian

Senate Climate Bill Called A Gas Tax

The American Power Act climate legislation by Senators Kerry and Lieberman, unveiled May 12, does have fees that oil refineries must pay, but is it a stretch to call the bill a disguised gas tax? Edmunds.com analyses American Solutions charge.

May 17, 2010 - Edmunds.com

How Sprawl Created the Gulf Oil Spill

This commentary from Urban Omnibus looks at how the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a problem with roots in unsustainable land use.

May 15, 2010 - Urban Omnibus

Friday Funny: 'Rude and Inconsiderate' Environment

This article from The Onion looks at the Environmental Protection Agency's increasing frustration with a global environment that is not playing its part in environmental protection.

May 14, 2010 - The Onion

Senate Climate Bill To Fund Transportation And Affect Fuel Markets

The American Power Act sets limits on greenhouse gas emissions, creates a cap, trade, and dividend program that rebates funds to energy bill payers, directs $6 billion yearly to targeted transportation programs, and curtails EPA's climate authority.

May 14, 2010 - Kansas City Star

Greens Vs. HOAs

HOAs are mandated to protect the aesthetics of their community. That goal is clashing with many who want to install solar panels on their roofs. States are fighting back with laws prohibiting HOAs from banning panels.

May 13, 2010 - USA Today

The Issue No One Likes To Talk About

Population is the last taboo, says Mother Jones, but on the way to 10 billion in 2045, we might want to consider having the conversation.

May 11, 2010 - Mother Jones

Considering "Eneropa"

Rem Koolhaas and his practice have released a vision of Europe 50 years from now, connected by an extensive smart grid and utilizing solar, wind and other green technologies to power the continent.

May 10, 2010 - The Guardian U.K.

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.