Environment
Boise Within Air Quality Standards... For Now
Idaho's Treasure Valley has garnered 150 days of air quality alerts in 2007, but is still considered safe by federal air quality standards. With further growth expected, many are concerned that air quality will not be so safe next year.
Dry Southeast States Nearer To Water Deal
The governors of Florida, Alabama and Georgia have come to a tentative agreement on how to divvy up the water supplied by shared rivers, giving hope that the 17-year water rights battle between the states may soon come to an end.
Reducing The Environmental Footprint Of Death
When people die, they can still create negative impacts on the environment. Green burials are becoming a popular way to address this environmental concern.
The Rise of The 'Green Collar' Job
By creating "green collar" jobs, cities across the country are creating jobs and helping the environment.
Long Beach's YouTube Videos Persuade Residents to Conserve Water
The city of Long Beach, California has initiated a water conservation campaign, including YouTube videos. As a result, residential water use rates have hit record lows.
The Myth Of Resource Sustainability
John Brätland, senior economist with the U.S. Department of the Interior, offers his observations on how economists have let the myth of resource exhaustion persist from the nineteenth century to the present, and why it is misguided.
The Determining Factor of Walkable Places
Almost all of the towns with high percentages of walking commuters are centered around an institution, like a university or military academy, where many are housed very close to their classes or jobs.
A Deadly Catch
China is the world's fish capital, but extreme pollution has made much of its fishing waters and catches toxic.
Abu Dhabi's Green Future
Despite its plentiful oil reserves, the Arabian emirate of Abu Dhabi is planning and developing some green cities that will be able to operate without the power of oil.
'Clean Coal' Devastating the Appalachias
While coal industry lobbyists promote "clean coal", scientists argue that such technology is years away. Meanwhile, the mountains of West Virginia are being leveled with devastating consequences for the environment and for neighboring communities.
New Car 'Carbon Fee/Rebate' Takes Effect In France
Come January 1, new car buyers in France may be charged a hefty carbon fee, or conversely, receive a carbon rebate, depending upon the emissions of the vehicle they purchase. The fee/rebate is strikingly similar to a twice-failed California bill.
Las Vegas Goes Green
Various projects in Las Vegas are including environmentally-friendly elements, signaling a shift amongst the city's development community.
Business Carbon Tax Proposed In San Francisco
A ballot measure aimed for November 2008 will ask San Francisco voters to raise the commercial utilities tax and lower the city's payroll tax in an effort to reduce energy usage, increase use of public transit, and increase recycling.
Spanish Government To Green Houses
Officials in Spain have announced billion-dollars plans to help homeowners retrofit and renovate houses to be more energy efficient.
D.C.-Area Governments Pushed To Build Green
The regional association of governments in Washington D.C. is calling on its member cities to put more emphasis on encouraging environmentally friendly development.
Social Steps Toward Environmental Sustainability
Toronto's poet laureate argues that environmental sustainability cannot be achieved until people become better neighbors and create better communities.
Development And Logging To Blame In Flood
Devastating floods in the southern Washington community of Chehalis have many tracing the roots of the problem back to clear-cut logging and a long pattern of unchecked floodplain development.
States Dependent On Colorado River Water Agree On Plan
The seven western states dependent on the Colorado River for their water are on the verge of coming to an agreement on a management plan to ensure a steady supply of water from the increasingly stressed source. But some say the plan won't do enough.
Green Housing Meets Low Income
This article from Utne Reader looks at a green housing complex that aimed at an atypical market: low-income residents.
Brad Pitt Announces Plans To Build Eco-Friendly Homes In New Orleans
The actor-turned-developer announced plans to build 150 environmentally-friendly homes for low-income families in New Orleans's Lower Ninth Ward.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
