Environment

Recycling Center Stirs Controversy In Changing Neighborhood

The long-standing recycling center adjacent to Kezar Stadium at the edge of Golden Gate Park is seen by many neighbors to be an attraction for the homeless who raid their recycling bins.

February 1, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Waterfree Urinals Pay Big Efficiency Dividends

Waterfree urinals are a sterling example of the benefits offered by new technology. Forged from a partnership between manufacturers and labor groups, waterfree urinals save 6 billion gallons of water a year from the Rose Bowl to the Taj Mahal.

February 1, 2008 - VerdeXchange News

When Climate Changes, Preservation Changes

Climate change is throwing a wrench into the gears of many preservation efforts.

January 31, 2008 - The New York Times

A Limit On Driving In California?

Is a statewide cap on driving in the works? Bill Fulton says a regional driving limit may be the only way that California is able to reach its self-imposed mandates for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

January 31, 2008 - California Planning & Development Report

Car 'Feebate' Under Consideration in California

The California Assembly is considering a bill that would create the nation's first "feebate" -- a charge or rebate California drivers would pay or receive depending on how much greenhouse gas their cars emit.

January 30, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Abu Dhabi to Push Carbon Underground

In an effort to reduce carbon emissions from industrial plants, Abu Dhabi is planning to create a $4 billion underground carbon sequestration system -- a system that is expected to be closely watched by government and industry.

January 30, 2008 - The Globe and Mail

Land Use Planning: Essential To Climate Protection

In this op-ed, regional planner and California American Planning Association officer Hing Wong emphasizes the importance of land use planning in meeting climate protection goals, citing examples of APA award-winning projects in the Bay Area.

January 30, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Who Says You Have to Live on Dry Land?

Dutch architects are seeking out progressive solutions to sea level rise.

January 30, 2008 - NPR

Drive Thru Ban Considered in Edmonton

Officials in Edmonton are considering a ban on any new drive through windows at fast food restaurants in an effort to curb emissions from idling cars.

January 27, 2008 - The Edmonton Sun

Study Considers Global Warming's Impact on B.C. Real Estate

This report from the Suzuki Foundation examines climate change impacts on equity of land values in British Columbia.

January 26, 2008 - Real Estate Institute of British Columbia

EU's Plans to Cut Carbon Have Some Worried About Competitiveness

The European Union has announced plans to make a significant cutback in its carbon emissions. Some say the plans are too ambitious and will hurt the Union's growth and competitiveness, but others argue they don't go far enough.

January 25, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

Protecting Endangered Species on Private Land

This article examines the "Safe Harbor" agreements between landowners and the federal government that look to protect the habitats of endangered species on private land.

January 25, 2008 - Audubon

Lawn Greens

If 'peak oil' makes oil-intensive industrial agriculture economically unfeasible, will suburbanites need to turn their lawns into farming plots?

January 25, 2008 - Common Dreams

Measuring the Carbon Footprint of New Development

A 2,300-unit development near a Maine lake is facing an environmental test to determine its carbon footprint. Environmentalists say the impact is too great, but developers dispute the analysis.

January 22, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

Gulf Coast Oil Operations Worsened Katrina's Impact

Canals dug for oil and natural gas extraction and service may have played a significant role in the weakening of the Mississippi River Delta -- a negative effect of the oil industry's Gulf operations that worsened the impact of Hurricane Katrina.

January 22, 2008 - Associated Press via Wired

Agreement Bans Development Along Mediterranean Coast

A coalition of 21 countries has signed an agreement that will prohibit any development within 100 yards of the Mediterranean coast -- a broad agreement that will affect more than 29,000 miles of coastline.

January 21, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

The Flood-Prone Should Look to the Dutch

Plans for 250,000 new houses on a floodplain in Britain and broad redevelopment plans in New Orleans have many wondering why planners aren't looking to the flood expertise of the Dutch.

January 21, 2008 - The Guardian

EPA's Executive Privilege Withholds Documents

In response to a request for documentation about why the EPA recently rejected greenhouse gas regulations in California, the agency has handed over limited and censored documents and citing an executive privilege in doing so.

January 21, 2008 - Associated Press

Dry Dry West

This article from National Geographic looks at the increasing strain on the water supplying the western U.S.

January 21, 2008 - National Geographic

Eco-Villages Rising Slowly, But Steadily

Despite slow going at the eco-intentional community Arcosanti in Arizona, hundreds of similar "eco-villages" have popped up around the world.

January 18, 2008 - E/The Environmental Magazine

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.