Environment

Critics May Miss The Green Point of the SmartCode

Communities aren't going to get a green code implemented, or any code, without that code appealing to developers, says Sandy Sorlien. They're building our new sustainable places and infilling our old ones.

January 11, 2009 - Sandy Sorlien

The Force Pushing Green Jobs

The New Yorker profiles Van Jones, a leading environmental activist and the driving force behind the movement to create a green energy jobs policy in the United States.

January 9, 2009 - The New Yorker

Skyscraper Farms, Agriculture for the Future?

Thirty-story buildings used for crop-growing is a good idea on paper, but the challenges still outweigh the benefits.

January 8, 2009 - The Christian Science Monitor

Coal Ash Dumps Unregulated, Pose Health Risks

The catastrophic spill of coal ash sludge in Tennessee is a wake-up call: there are more than 1,300 such dumps across the U.S., and, as a result of coal industry lobbying, no federal regulations for safe storage, reuse or disposal of the waste.

January 8, 2009 - New York Times

Cities and Cognitive Burnout

Compared to natural settings, busy urban environments can be detrimental to cognitive functioning and self-control. Well-designed, biodiverse parks are integral to counterbalancing the concrete jungle.

January 7, 2009 - The Boston Globe

Rio's "Eco Barrier" Draws Fire

Plans to erect a concrete "eco barrier" around Rio's slum areas being heavily criticized by human rights activists and environmentalists.

January 6, 2009 - Guardian (UK)

Long Term Planning and the Importance of Soil

Degradation of soils has brought down many human civilizations. Our current industrial agriculture practices threaten the future of human existence. A 50-year farm bill is needed to guide policy on a more sustainable path, according to this oped.

January 6, 2009 - The New York Times

Wind Power Embraced in New York City

Small wind turbines are showing up on residential properties in New York City as developers get savvy about cutting energy costs with passive technologies.

January 6, 2009 - The New York Times

Dutch Try to Step Up Flood Protection

This article from Wired looks at new plans to prevent massive flooding in the low-lying Netherlands.

January 3, 2009 - Wired

A Place For Sustainable Food in Obama Administration?

This column looks at President-elect Barack Obama's food politics and wonders just how sustainable his administration's food policies will be.

January 2, 2009 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Top 10 Trends in Green Transportation

Inhabitat selects their top 10, ranging from DIY bicycles to the fall of the S.U.V. Notably, transit is barely mentioned.

January 2, 2009 - Inhabitat

Is Climate Change an Energy Problem?

Alex Steffen at WorldChanging turns the climate change problem inside out to reconsider whether the form of energy is the true issue, rather than how much is wasted and how we use it.

January 1, 2009 - WorldChanging

NYT Editorial And Column Push Gas Tax

A NYT editorial and NYT columnist Thomas Friedman both arrive at the same conclusion - some type of gas tax is essential for both the auto bailout and Obama's goal of greening the U.S. economy.

January 1, 2009 - The New York Times

Top Planning Issues Of 2008

January 1, 2009 - Abhijeet Chavan

EPA Lies About Failing Chesapeake Bay Cleanup

The Washington Post has uncovered that the $6 billion, 25 yr. old program to clean up pollution in the Chesapeake Bay has produced little-to-no results -- and the EPA greatly exaggerated their progress.

December 31, 2008 - Washington Post

Wood Burning Ban Saves Lives

Five years ago, the Central Valley became the first area of California to ban indoor wood burning when an 'alert' was called by the air district; other air districts followed in 2008. This study, released in Nov. shows that "no burn" days save lives.

December 31, 2008 - The Fresno Bee

One-Third of Americans Breathing Too Much Soot

People in 46 American metropolitan areas breathe air that exceeds federal soot levels, according to new figures from the Environmental Protection Agency. Nearly one-third of all Americans live in affected areas.

December 30, 2008 - San Francisco Chronicle

What We Really Need to Learn from Las Vegas

Las Vegas has always epitomized American excess. But with its water supply running out and its constant illumination warming the planet, it also represents the extent of our economic and ecological unsustainability.

December 29, 2008 - AlterNet

CEQA–Exemption: Schwarzenegger’s Bargaining Chip

Gov. Schwarzenegger wants the California Environmental Quality Act- a requirement for major transportation projects- waived if he is to sign the $18 billion Democratic package that balances the budget and is crafted to circumvent Republican approval.

December 29, 2008 - Sacramento Bee

The Challenge of Water in Illegal Slums

This audio slideshow from Financial Times looks at the severe shortage of clean water in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and what some activists are trying to do to provide clean water for the dwellers of the city's illegal slums.

December 27, 2008 - Financial Times

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.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

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.