Environment

What's Right And Wrong With LEED

In this article from New Urban News, Philip Langdon looks at LEED, and identifies some ways the system works well and other ways it can improve.

September 20, 2007 - New Urban News

The Sustainable Future Of Coney Island

New York has been looking for ways to rejuvenate the area surrounding its historic Coney Island boardwalk themepark. This article from the Gotham Gazette says the city should use the opportunity to create a model for sustainable development.

September 20, 2007 - The Gotham Gazette

Cities Embracing Wastewater Recycling

With few options for obtaining more water, the small community of Cloudcroft, New Mexico, is going to replenish its dwindling water supplies by treating and recycling its own wastewater.

September 19, 2007 - High Country News

Leadership Lacking As Coastal Erosion Spurs Community Relocation

Global warming is exacerbating the erosion of the Alaskan coastline, but no agency has taken the lead in addressing the issues of land depletion and community relocation. One village's struggles may set the rule for future relocations.

September 19, 2007 - Anchorage Daily News

'Rural Sprawl' Increases Fire Threat In Sierras

Increasing development in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains is adding significantly to the area's fire risk. Some are calling for more scrutiny in the approval of further development in the fire-prone area.

September 19, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

World Ag At Risk From Global Warming

World agricultural productivity could decline between 3-16% by 2080. Developing countries will experience the biggest drop.

September 16, 2007 - Center for Global Development

Should London Ban Cars To Reach Its Carbon Goal?

A report suggests that the only way London can reach its 2025 carbon reduction goals would be to take drastic measures, such as banning all cars from the city.

September 15, 2007 - BBC

Outsourcing Pollution: The Dirty Side Of Clean Alternatives

Physicist and renowned environmental leader, Vandana Shiva, talks about globalization, emissions trading, and environmental justice.

September 14, 2007 - Democracy Now!

Turning A City Green

A small town in England has been able to embrace the participation and enthusiasm of many of its 1,000 residents in an effort to become the first carbon-neutral village in the UK.

September 14, 2007 - GOOD Magazine

The Most Polluted Places In The World

This article from Time magazine looks at the 10 most polluted places in the world, the types and causes of the pollution, and the number of people affected.

September 14, 2007 - Time

Highway Expansion Plans Justified By Economic Benefits

Plans to widen a highway in British Columbia are being justified by a projection of nearly $4 billion in economic development. Proponents are allaying air quality concerns, arguing that auto emission controls will improve enough to reduce any impact.

September 12, 2007 - The Vancouver Sun

Libyan Sustainable Development Project May Be World's Largest

What may be the world's largest sustainable development project is currently being planned in Libya. The project aims to boost the country's ecotourism along its Mediterranean coast and to protect its many archaeological sites.

September 11, 2007 - Environmental News Network

U.S. Coastal Cities Face Catastrophic Risk

The U.S. coastline, home to 53% of the nation's population, is at catastrophic risk from just a 1-meter rise in sea level concludes a major new study.

September 11, 2007 - Washington Post Writers

Buffalo Repopulation Plan Irks Cattle Ranchers

Plans to buy up land in the Great Plains and repopulate them with pre-settlement species such as buffalo have many cattle ranchers on edge. But proponents say these species are meant to be there -- in both an economical and and ecological sense.

September 11, 2007 - Long Haul Productions

Going Green In Miami-Dade County

Despite minor speedbumps in the permitting process, an explicitly green home is now being built in Kendall, a suburb to the south of Miami. The owners expect it to be the greenest home in the region.

September 11, 2007 - The Miami Herald

Japan's Reforestation Problem: Leeches

Japan's leech invasion may be an unintended consequence of successful reforestation efforts combined with rural population declines.

September 10, 2007 - Salon

Start-Ups Sprout On Wal-Mart's Green Path

Wal-Mart's efforts to reduce waste and operate in an environmentally-friendly manner has fueled a green business boom in an Arkansas town near the corporation's headquarters.

September 10, 2007 - The Washington Post

Lawn Order

The growing popularity of naturalized, low-water and chemical-free lawns is leading to conflicts amongst neighbors and city officials. Some disagreements have moved from the front lawn to the courtroom.

September 9, 2007 - The Globe & Mail

Controversial Legislation Tackles Land Use, Transportation, Regional Planning, & Global Warming

In what is arguably the most important environmental bill in California since last year's Global Warming Solutions Act, SB 375 attempts to reduce global warming by addressing land use and transportation through better regional planning.

September 8, 2007 - The Sacramento Bee

Civic Virtues Redefined By Bloomberg Plan

This article from Metropolis Magazine looks at how New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's broad environmental plans will serve to redefine civic virtues for the 21st century.

September 8, 2007 - Metropolis 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.