Environment

A Green And Solar Roof How-To

The installation of a green roof and solar array on the rooftop of the new WGBH building in Boston is captured on video.

May 27, 2008 - The Boston Globe

Will LEED-ND Discourage Affordable Housing?

Critics worry that cities who require new developments to meet LEED-ND standards will sacrifice affordable housing for sustainability.

May 27, 2008 - Washington Business Journal

An Alternative to the Water Bottle: Public Fountains

Awareness is increasing of the evils of the ubiquitous plastic water bottle. Elizabeth Royte suggests a solution- the return of the public fountain, a neglected staple of yesteryear.

May 26, 2008 - The New York Times

'They Want to Make a Dam, and Now They Know They Shouldn't'

A group of Indians from the Amazon attacked a government engineer at a recent meeting where he was discussing a proposed hydroelectric dam on the Xingu River that could displace 15,000 indigenous people and destroy traditional fishing grounds.

May 23, 2008 - Associated Press via National Geographic

UK 'Eco-Towns' May Encourage Sprawl

Plans for the construction of "eco-towns" in the UK have sparked protests from groups who argue that they will be too spread out and will encourage sprawl.

May 23, 2008 - Telegraph

California Land Conservation Agreement Will Create Sprawl

A recent agreement between developers and environmental groups puts the conservationists in the unfortunate position of not being able to oppose a plan that is the epitome of sprawl, according this editorial.

May 19, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Announces Plans To Recycle Wastewater For Drinking

Faced with increasing water shortages, Los Angeles Mayor Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has announced plans to recycle the city's sewage water to replenish drinking water qualifiers.

May 18, 2008 - The New York Times

Cleveland Greening the Rust Belt

This article from Grist looks at the environmental efforts being taken in Cleveland, a historically polluted and struggling Rust Belt city.

May 16, 2008 - Grist

The Long Road To A Green Atlanta

Typically considered a poster child for sprawl, Atlanta's leaders and residents are now trying to steer the city's growth and development down a greener path.

May 15, 2008 - Grist.org

By Necessity, City Becomes Leader In Energy Conservation

After an avalanche drastically cut the supply of electricity, residents the Alaskan capital of Juneau cut their power consumption by almost 40 percent in a few weeks. Now the city is gaining attention as a leader in energy conservation.

May 14, 2008 - The New York Times

Phoenix Takes a Green Turn

This article from Grist looks at the city of Phoenix as it teams with Arizona State University to shift the city's direction from endless sprawl to a smarter, more environmentally-conscious growth pattern.

May 14, 2008 - Grist

Will Nissan Revive The Electric Car?

The automaker has announced plans for a fully-electric vehicle by 2010, and says it wants to lead the industry towards zero-emission vehicles.

May 13, 2008 - The New York Times

Is A Prius Greener Than Light Rail?

Light rail vehicles aren't as green one might think, and cities that really want to lower carbon emissions might want to take a harder look at new hybrid-electric buses, argues a recent column.

May 12, 2008 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

New State Laws Making It Easier To Build Green

States are helping homeowners who want to have a more eco-friendly lifestyle by overturning homeowner association regulations that ban solar panels and wind turbines.

May 12, 2008 - USA Today

A Day In The Life Of An Urban Farmer

With growing numbers interested in urban agriculture, American Public Radio's Marketplace interviews one urban farmer in Pasadena, California.

May 12, 2008 - Marketplace Radio

Inside the Plans for a Carbon-Neutral City in the Desert

This segment from NPR looks at plans for the carbon-neutral Masdar City in Abu Dhabi.

May 12, 2008 - NPR

America's First Wind-Powered City

The city of Rock Port, Missouri, recently celebrated the fact that its four wind turbines produced more energy than the town needed, becoming the first community in America to be completely powered by wind.

May 11, 2008 - KOMU

Market Downturn Is Good News For Land Conservationists

While plenty of investors and homeowners are feeling the pain of the current real estate market, groups trying to protect land from development are welcoming the downturn.

May 11, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

New Urbanist Town Designed For Ultimate In Green Living

A planned New Urbanist development in Northern California wants enable its eventual residents to live within their prescribed ecological footprint.

May 10, 2008 - The Washington Post

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.