Environment

Can L.A. Go Solar?

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has an ambitious plan to get L.A. to go solar. Still, without a proper financial analysis, skeptics find it too lofty to be true.

November 30, 2008 - Los Angeles Times

Preserving Wildlife in the DMZ

The demilitarized zone dividing North and South Korea has become one of the world's most important wildlife conservation sites.

November 27, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

Transit Hero Featured In Seattle Column

This column deals with two Seattle issues: one political - the victory of a transit measure on Nov. 4 that will direct $18 billion to light rail; the other human - a Sierra Club activist who made the campaign for Prop 1 a full time job.

November 26, 2008 - The Seattle Times

Financing Solar Power

Berkeley, CA was one of the first cities to use special utility districts to fund the switch to solar power in their community. Now the man behind the plan is trying to make the financing system national.

November 25, 2008 - East Bay Express

Public Lands Under an Obama Administration

Environmentalists and resources extracting industries alike are scrutinizing President-Elect Obama's election comments for indications of what his administration's public lands policies will be like.

November 25, 2008 - McClatchey Newspapers

Fantastic Gallery of Green Urban Futures

The Web Urbanist has compiled a gallery of fantastic designs for more sustainable urbanism.

November 25, 2008 - Web Urbanist

Save Detroit - Raise The Gas Tax

Fortune Magazine's Martin Sloan is interviewed on Marketplace on why he thinks it would be good for Detroit, and America, to have a higher gas tax. At the same time, he has advice to Congress as to what they should do with fuel-efficiency standards.

November 25, 2008 - Marketplace Morning Report

Greening Cement

A growing number of local governments are turning to "green cement" resolutions to rectify North Texas' status as a shameless failure when it comes to complying with clean air standards.

November 24, 2008 - The Dallas Observer

Top 10 Books - 2009

Planetizen is pleased to release its eighth annual list of the ten best books in the planning field. With titles covering some of the most timely issues in planning, the list gives readers an overview of the best ideas and writing in the field.

November 24, 2008 - Abhijeet Chavan

How Much Does Bad Air In LA and Central Valley Cost California?

An economic study has been published showing that the costs of air pollution to the 20 million Californians living in the state’s (and nation’s) two most polluted regions, the LA basin and San Joaquin Valley, to be around $28 billion annually.

November 21, 2008 - San Francisco Chronicle

Would $3 Gas Balance California's Budget?

Energy expert Severin Borenstein suggests a novel strategy to ensure California drivers don't lose their gas-saving habits and vehicle preferences learned when gas cost $4.50/gallon - a 'variable gas surcharge' to stabilize gas prices at $3/gallon.

November 21, 2008 - The Sacramento Bee

Change Comes to Committee on Energy and Commerce

Representative Henry A. Waxman of California replaces the current chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, who has served in the post since 1981. Waxman's nomination was applauded by environmental groups.

November 21, 2008 - The New York Times

Killer Brown Clouds On The Rise

A U.N. report details the severity of the 'brown cloud' phenomenon affecting much of Asia and other parts of the planet. In addition to reducing sunlight and causing premature death, the clouds affect weather patterns, harvests, and glacier declines

November 20, 2008 - The New York Times

Pine Beetles' Wrath Spreads

The scourge of the pine beetle is wreaking havoc on forests all up and down North America, leaving behind millions of acres of dead trees.

November 20, 2008 - The New York Times

Officials Working Out Nitty-Gritty of Rail Project

Views are already beginning to clash as the California high-speed rail project begins its development process. But until environmental and design reports are available, many questions are to be left unanswered.

November 19, 2008 - Palo Alto Daily News

Master-Planned Mixed-Use in Central Ohio

While the goal of these walkable communities is to attract young urban professionals, the benefits, of course, extend beyond that.

November 19, 2008 - The Columbus Dispatch

California Not Ready for Climate Change

Authors of a recent study have concluded that California is unprepared to face global warming challenges, and water and electricity agencies in particular have been urged to act immediately.

November 19, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Brad Pitt on Transportation

The celeb narrates the PBS series e2, which tackles transportation in its third season.

November 18, 2008 - e2

Water Quality Pact to Cross State Borders

The state governments of Missouri and Arkansas are expected to sign an agreement this year to create a watershed and aquifer protection pact geared at controlling water quality from sources that cross state boundaries.

November 17, 2008 - Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Deal Brokered for Biggest Dam Removal Project in U.S.

Officials have brokered a deal to remove dams from the Klamath River in the Pacific Northwest -- a plan intended to counteract sharp declines in salmon counts and appease environmentalists. But the plan is also meeting criticism.

November 17, 2008 - Los Angeles 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.

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.