Environment

Thirsty Georgia Considers Annexation of Tennessee for River Water

Politicians in Georgia are pushing a resolution that would redraw the state's border with Tennessee so that a plentiful river would lie within the boundaries of water-poor Georgia.

February 11, 2008 - The Tennessean

Toll Road Extension Though Beach Voted Down

The California Coastal Commission has voted against expanding a controversial toll road through a state beach.

February 10, 2008 - The New York Times

Georgia Blocked From Increasing Reservoir Rights

A federal court has ruled that Metropolitan Atlanta cannot increase its draw of water from Lake Lanier, a ruling viewed as a major victory for Alabama and Florida which has been quarreling with Georgia over the reservoir's water for years.

February 8, 2008 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Greening Efforts Struggle to Convince the Stubborn

Communities are looking at ways to become more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, but they're struggling to combat local opposition.

February 8, 2008 - The New York Times

The Widening Gyres

Scientists are warning that unless consumers use fewer plastics and oceangoing vessels and oil platforms dispose of their wastes differently, gigantic plastic Garbage Patches swirling in the Pacific gyres will continue to grow.

February 7, 2008 - The Independent (UK)

A Green Lens for Affordable Housing

This article looks at how landscape architects have combined green roofs, public spaces and affordable housing to address the chronic homelessness in San Francisco's infamous Tenderloin district.

February 7, 2008 - Landscape Architecture

Americans Spending Less Time Outdoors, In Parks

Fewer Americans are visiting parks and and participating in outdoor activities, according to a new study.

February 7, 2008 - NPR

Controversial Toll Road Through State Beach Heads to Commission

The California Coastal Commission is scheduled to weigh the planned completion of a 28-mile toll road that would cut through a state beach. Many say the road is necessary to cut congestion between San Diego and L.A., but others see it as destructive.

February 6, 2008 - The New York Times

Curitiba's Jaime Lerner Discusses Sustainable Cities

This March 2007 presentation from the TED conference features former Curitiba Mayor Jaime Lerner discussing the rise of the sustainable city.

February 6, 2008 - TED Blog

Abu Dhabi's Car-Free City to Break Ground

Groundbreaking is scheduled this week for Masdar City, the car-free eco-city planned near Abu Dhabi.

February 6, 2008 - The New York Times

EPA Dumps Corps' Pumps

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has blocked an Army Corps of Engineers pumping project that would have drained and damaged up to 200,000 acres of Mississippi wetlands -- its first block of a Corps project in nearly 20 years.

February 5, 2008 - Time

Ahead of the Game

Robert Steuteville comments about the long-standing links between New Urbanism, good placemaking, and the environment.

February 5, 2008 - New Urban News

Greening Levittown - One House At A Time

Levittown, Long Island has undertaken a green makeover, complete with individualized energy audits that enable improvements to reduce each home's carbon footprint by 20%. But greening the houses doesn't make for a green neighborhood.

February 4, 2008 - Time

Man Sued For Reducing Waste

A California man reduced his waste to zero, so he canceled his garbage collection. But garbage collection is required in his city, so the local government is suing.

February 4, 2008 - The Examiner

Birth of the 'Cool Spot'

A new regional planning idea is looking to reduce energy use and greenhouse emissions.

February 3, 2008 - New Urban News

Smaller Cities Make Plans for Sustainability

Sustainability is catching on in more cities than New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Ventura City Manager Rick Cole explains how his city's land use practice can impact California's climate change efforts.

February 3, 2008 - VerdeXchange News

Largest Low Emission Zone Opens

The world's largest low emission zone will come into effect next week in London.

February 2, 2008 - Reuters via Environmental News Network

The Goo Earth

As a part of its special series of reports on the Alberta tar sands, the Globe & Mail outlines the extreme environmental impacts of the development.

February 2, 2008 - The Globe and Mail

A Comparison of Cities' Climate Leadership

Los Angeles, Portland, and New York City provide interesting case studies into the ways that city governments are building a more sustainable life for their residents.

February 1, 2008 - The Planning Report

Growing and Greening

A recent report argues that for developing countries, improving environmental health is dependent on improving economic health. But proper governing is crucial in meeting these ends.

February 1, 2008 - The Economist

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.