Environment
Sacramento's Green Ambitions
With ambitious environmentally-conscious building requirements and the cooperation of the state government, the California Capitol city Sacramento is looking to edge past Chicago as the nation's greenest city.
The Decline Of Seattle's Creeks
This audio report discusses the creeks of Seattle and how years of neglect, abuse, and pollution have endangered fish species, destroyed wetlands, and caused big problems for the area's storm drainage.
Forest? Fuhgettaboutit
Sicily's forests are being ravaged by fires many suspect are being set by the Mafia, who plan on reaping financial benefits when the land is rezoned for construction.
Urbanization Erasing New England Forests
Urbanization is threatening and consuming forests in New England more rapidly than in any other place in the nation.
DIY Gray Water Recycling
This report from NPR looks at a homeowner who has transformed her house's plumping to reuse its "gray water" -- non-potable water from sinks that can be rerouted into gardens and toilets. Some lawmakers are discouraging this method.
Becoming America's Most Sustainable City
U.S. cities such as Chicago, San Francisco, and Sacramento are becoming more energy efficient in an effort to attain the title of the nation's greenest city.
Will China Follow In America's Footsteps?
Scientists who studied pollution from a pair of major cities in both the U.S. and China urge the rapidly developing nation to learn from the past environmental mistakes in the U.S.
Hawaii's 'Superferry' Remains Anchored
The controversy over whether the environmental impacts of Hawaii's new "Superferry" should have been assessed continue. The large ferry boat sits idly in a harbor in Honolulu.
Hudson River to Get 24/7 Scrutiny
A new network of sensors will detail how ecological threats to the waterway affect the seacoast.
Do 'Carbon Offsets' Really Work?
Is the idea of buying "voluntary carbon offsets" to become carbon neutral more hype than solution?
'Environmental Enlightenment' By The American Roadside
Many states are choosing native plants for the 12 million acres of roadsides and median strips around the country to save on maintenance costs and provide wildlife habitat. Polls show the public prefers the appearance of non-native species.
How Seattle Commuters Outwitted the Clog That Wasn't
Seattle's free-flowing experience with more than two weeks of freeway lane closures -- predicted to be traffic Armageddon -- shows that the conventional wisdom about traffic isn't always right.
Running Low On Farmable Land
The quality of the world's soil is rapidly diminishing and many scientists are concerned that by 2050 there will not be enough arable land to grow the food to feed the steadily growing population.
More People, More Concrete, and More Heat in Phoenix
An 'urban heat island' effect, fed by the city's growth, is trapping heat and making temperatures soar.
Can Britain Go Carbon-Neutral?
This article from the Guardian looks at the feasibility of putting in place a recently-announced proposal to make Britain carbon-neutral by 2050.
Problems Plague Three Gorges Dam
Engineering and environmental problems abound near China's Three Gorges Dam.
Dry L.A. Reconsiders Wastewater Recycling Plan
Facing one of the driest years in recent history, the city of Los Angeles is feeling the pinch of the drought. Officials have suggested reconsidering a once-proposed and once-disapproved plan to recycle wastewater back into the groundwater.
Plan To Divert Brazilian River Draws Protests
Brazil is considering a bold plan to get water to its arid northeast by diverting one of the country's largest and most famous rivers. But many are protesting the plan, saying the water will mainly benefit business, not the rural poor who need it.
Got Sustainability?
When it comes to reducing carbon footprints and living sustainably, urban residents perform the best.
Trees Add To Levee Strength, But May Be Removed
Despite scientific findings that trees along levees help improve their effectiveness, federal regulations may require that trees lining levees in Central California be removed.
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
