Environment

Wetland-Clearing Highway Project on List for Texas Stimulus

A 14-mile road segment that would connect two highways in Texas is a contender for stimulus funding in the state. But it would also cause the removal of at least 23 acres of wetlands. Environmentalists are upset the proposal is being considered.

July 15, 2009 - The Houston Chronicle

Regions of Water's Future Uncertainty

This interactive map from Good's Water issue highlight seven regions in the world that are likely to experience conflict over water shortages.

July 14, 2009 - Good

Getting Resilient

A paper published earlier this year by a team of professors argues that cities need to learn to become more resilient as resources become more scarce.

July 14, 2009 - ASLA's The Dirt blog

New Orleans Debates Highway To Boulevard Project

According to a new draft master plan, the Clairborne Expressway may be the next freeway to join the nation's growing highway to boulevard movement.

July 13, 2009 - The Times-Picayune

Nuclear Power on the High Seas

A Russian manufacturer has announced plans to build a nuclear energy plant on a floating platform near the Bering Sea.

July 11, 2009 - The New York Times

Fighting Climate Change with Bus Rapid Transit

Bogota, Colombia's bus rapid transit system is seen as a shining example of how buses can make up a good public transportation system in cities. It's also being looked at as a model for fighting climate change.

July 10, 2009 - The New York Times

Lovelock: It's Too Late -- But Some Will Survive

In this review of James Lovelock's new book "The Vanishing Face of Gaia", Alexander Zaitchik explains the author's view that, while nothing can be done to stop climate change, there is reason to believe that some form of civilization will survive.

July 9, 2009 - AlterNet

The 15 Most Sustainable Cities

The NRDC reveals the most sustainable large, medium and small cities in the U.S., after an extensive evaluation based on air quality, energy production and conservation, environmental standards, recycling and many more criteria.

July 9, 2009 - Smarter Cities

India Rejects Limits On Greenhouse Gas Emissions

An announcement by India that it won't reduce its carbon emissions is sure to capture the attention of climate treaty and energy legislation opponents in the Congress.

July 8, 2009 - Bloomberg News

Costa Rica Leads in the "Happy Planet Index"

The New Economics Foundation's "Happy Planet Index" shows that Costa Ricans use fewer resources and lead happier lives than the rest of the world.

July 7, 2009 - Guardian (UK)

Thousands of Miles of Mississippi Delta Lost to Sea Level Rise by 2100

By 2100, vast stretches of the Mississippi Delta will be lost to sea level rise, according to a recent study. More than 5,000 square miles could be lost, including much of New Orleans, researchers say.

July 6, 2009 - The Christian Science Monitor

Growing A Sustainable Urban Movement

The New York Times Magazine profiles Will Allen, the urban farmer from Wisconsin who recently received the MacArthur Foundation's "genius" grant for his work in agriculture.

July 6, 2009 - The New York Times

Misleading LEED Claims

This piece from Grist looks at the use and abuse of the sustainability buzzword "LEED".

July 6, 2009 - Grist

If You're NIMBY, You Aren't Green

Environmentalists in Berkeley and Oakland are realizing that the inner-city development they protested in the past is actually more eco-friendly than the alternative.

July 6, 2009 - East Bay Express

Women Close To Freeway 128% More Likely To Give Birth Prematurely

A new study from UC Irvine in Los Angeles concludes that women who live within 1.9 miles of a major roadway increase their risk of premature birth by 128%.

July 5, 2009 - Treehugger

Urbanism is Alive

Steve Mouzon explains how to think about cities and towns as living species, and how that perspective should guide the practice of planners and architects.

July 4, 2009 - Living Urbanism

Significant Shift in Car Preference

A new study by market research firm Synovate says that when given the choice between a "green" car or a "dream" car, 6 out of 10 people choose green.

July 4, 2009 - Vancouver Sun

Towns Transitioning To Peak Oil Future

The Transition Town movement has spread to 150 towns in 14 countries. David Bollier of On The Commons takes a look at how these towns are making the shift towards locally-produced food and reduction in energy use.

July 1, 2009 - On The Commons

EPA OKs California's Plan to Regulate Emissions

The Environmental Protection Agency has reversed a decision by the Bush Administration that will allow California to create its own set of vehicle emissions standards.

July 1, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Climate Change's Barometer Has No Climate Change Plan

The Florida Keys are likely the most vulnerable places to sea-level rise in America. Despite this danger, officials there have set no plans for counteracting or dealing with climate change.

July 1, 2009 - Miami Herald

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.