Environment
Citywide Green Building Rules Under Consideration
San Jose, California is considering a plan to require all new private developments to follow strict environmental standards. Builders and developers are opposed and claim the move will be bad for the city as it tries to encourage business growth.
Land Use Planning And Climate Change May Be Linked In Lawsuits
While Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has received fame for making global warming a priority, he has studiously avoided the land use connection. Not so for California's attorney general, who is tackling the issue head on, even warning of litigation.
Monkeys Drive City Bananas
Thousands of wild monkeys are invading New Delhi -- a side effect of increasing outward urban development from the city's central core. The monkeys have been causing mischief throughout the city, and officials are scrambling to control the problem.
Need A Mortgage? Go Green
Green Mortgages, though in a nascent stage, aim to help buyers qualify for larger mortgages while reducing the impact of housing on the environment. Will it work?
The Grass Is Greener Because They Can Water It
Chattanooga, Tennessee has no water restrictions, and this fact has many in the Southern U.S. projecting it to be a new focal point for economic development -- especially from businesses and industries forced to leave drought-stricken Atlanta
Private Well Drilled To Keep Grass Green
Facing water restrictions, a North Carolina homeowner has paid to have a water well drilled on his property so that he can water his lawn -- a trend that is increasing and posing a potential problem to the common supply from the area's water table.
Meeting Standards May Not Be Enough In Portland
A proposed plan in Portland, Oregon would force builders and developers who only meet minimum energy efficiency standards in new projects to pay a fee, while projects that exceed standards would receive cash awards.
Is Michael Bloomberg America's Ken Livingstone?
Sounding eerily similar to his London counterpart, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg called on the federal government to adopt a national carbon tax. Bloomberg is currently pushing congestion pricing similar to London's program implemented in 2003.
Solar Pioneer's Forgotten Invention
Four decades ago, Harold Hay invented a way to heat and cool a home without using electricy. Why won't the world listen?
Florida Ditches Three-State Water Deal
The state of Florida has backed out of a water agreement with Georgia and Alabama that would have cut the state's water supply in an effort to aid drought-stricken Georgia.
A Housing Project For The Birds
This post from Dwell's blog shows the floating housing project that has been constructed in New York to provide a habitat for the area's bird species.
Speedbumps Hinder U.S. Mayors Carbon Pledge
The mayors of more than 700 American cities have signed a pledge to reduce the carbon emissions of their cities. Following up on that pledge is turning out to be a bit difficult.
Beavers Allowed To Stay Despite Flood Threat
Beavers that have moved into and made a home of part of a creek in the Bay Area city of Martinez will be allowed to stay, despite the flood threat their dam poses to the city's downtown. Many are calling the beavers the city's new tourist attraction.
Alma Mater Nature
More and more universities and colleges are working on greening their operations. Here's the top 10.
Bay Area Drivers Would Support Global Warming Gas Tax
A surprising poll shows that Bay Area residents -- who already pay the nation's highest gas prices -- would agree to a 25-cent gas tax if revenue were applied to reduce global warming. Efforts are underway to put that support to a vote.
Air Boards & MPOs Must Team Up To Reduce Carbon Emissions
The key to meeting carbon reduction goals lies in reducing transportation emissions through changing land use. But to do so requires air resources boards and the many metropolitan planning organizations to play key roles.
Everglades Restoration Bogged Down By Politics
Ambitious effort to restore the Florida Everglades faces lack of funds and political complications.
Making A Better Parking Lot
The city of Toronto has approved design guidelines for future development of parking lots within the city. The guidelines call for more trees and better drainage, but as of now are not included in any mandatory city policies.
Environmental Damage from Israeli Bombings 'Devastating'
Fifteen months after Israeli bombers destroyed Lebanon's coastal oil tanks, the damage to ecosystems, economies and human health remain "devastating."
Mayors Keep Eyes On Green Future
Despite the sometimes difficult task of convincing residents of its importance, the protection of the environment must be the priority of cities. That was the message more than 100 American mayors heard and stressed at a recent meeting.
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
