Environment

Gov 2.0 On the Rise

Twitter, iPhones, and new sites like SeeClickFix make it increasingly easy for citizens and governments to communicate. Along with newly available data sets, these "Gov 2.0" apps may signal a new era of active citizens and responsive governments.

January 29, 2010 - CNN

Carbon Emission Standards vs. Historic Preservation

In the U.K., new carbon emission standards may mean that great numbers of buildings from the 1960s and 70s will need to be demolished.

January 26, 2010 - The Times Online

Fertilizers Banned in Polluted Florida County

Certain fertilizers will be banned from use during summer months and rainy times of the year in Pinellas County, Florida after a recent ruling by the County Commission.

January 21, 2010 - St. Petersburg Times

New Research: Lawns Aren't Green

Lawns - long known to be the main culprit in urban water consumption, now can be blamed for another environmental woe - greenhouse gas producer in excess of whatever carbon it 'sinks'. The gas is nitrous oxide - 300 times more potent than CO2.

January 21, 2010 - University of California @Irvine Press Office

Andrés Duany Takes Off the Gloves

Huffington Post writer Seth Bauer experiences one of Duany's famous, unstoppable rants about the state of the American environment.

January 20, 2010 - The Huffington Post

Diversify Your Water Buys

By combining three water purchasing approaches -- permanent rights, options and leases -- cities can better manage water supplies to avoid high costs and supply reductions, according to a new study.

January 20, 2010 - Penn State Live

EPA Recognizes Land Use/Global Warming Connection

For possibly the first time, the EPA has issued a report the directly links climate change mitigation with local land use strategies, says Patty Salkin.

January 19, 2010 - Law of the Land

Give Cap & Trade Revenue To....The People?

A key committee has recommended a novel approach to distributing revenue from a forthcoming cap & trade scheme, the key strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the CA Air Resources Board in order to meet the reductions mandated in AB 32.

January 19, 2010 - The New York Times - Environment

Bringing the Forest Back to the City

This piece from Urban Omnibus looks at ideas to counteract global warming by adding more trees to urban areas.

January 18, 2010 - Urban Omnibus

Feeding 4.5 Million People

A temporary urban garden has been erected in Shenzhen, China by a group of artists. The garden represents the amount of agricultural land is necessary to feed all 4.5 million of the city's residents.

January 17, 2010 - Inhabitat

Coastal Towns Told to Radically Transform in Face of Sea Level Rise

Cities along the British coast are being warned that sea level rise over the next 100 years will have significant destructive effects. Officials are being cautioned to consider city-altering plans that shift populations away from endangered areas.

January 16, 2010 - Guardian

Air Pollution Strongly Linked to Heart Ailments

A new report from the Health Effect Institute concludes that there is a strong correlation between exposure to traffic and heart ailments.

January 15, 2010 - The New York Times

Riders Choosing Trains as Green Alternative

In a world increasing concerned with reducing global warming, people and nations are embracing trains as an alternative to cars and planes because of their reduced carbon footprint. However, cost and time remain critical factors for travelers.

January 15, 2010 - CNN - Eco Solutions

Ocean Garbage Strategic Plan Released

Officials in Hawaii have unveiled a strategic plan for removing garbage and debris from the ocean near the Hawaiian Archipelago.

January 15, 2010 - The Honolulu Advertiser

Obama's Environmental Record

While many of his supporters have criticized President Obama for not acting far or fast enough on their respective causes, Daniel J. Weiss argues that the President's environmental achievements in his first year were significant.

January 14, 2010 - Center for American Progress

New Non-Salt Strategies for Snowy Cities

Winter brings snowy conditions to roads in many cities, and many react with snow-melting salt solutions. But the physical and environmental damage of salt is leading some to look for other means of fighting the freeze.

January 14, 2010 - NRDC

Vancouverism in the Global Spotlight

Vancouver is preparing to take the global stage when it hosts the Winter Olympic next month. With all the sports-related pomp, the city's unique approach to sustainability will also fall under the spotlight.

January 14, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

California Adopts New Green Building Codes

The state of California has adopted the nation's first green building codes, including a provision that allows local jurisdictions to keep or approve even stricter environmental building rules.

January 13, 2010 - San Francisco Chronicle

Dongtan Eco-City: A Model of Sustainability?

Dongtan Eco City was planned for completion for the Shanghai World Expo in 2010. By that time, 5,000 people should be living there. However, the planned housing, water taxis, sewage‐recycling plant and energy park all failed to materialize.

January 12, 2010 - The Urban Reinventors Online Urban Journal

States' Water Negotiations Can Be Secret

Negotiations between the states of Georgia, Alabama and Florida can remain secret, according to a recent federal ruling.

January 12, 2010 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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.