Environment
Louisiana Coastal Protection Agency Under Threat
The state’s new governor wants to shrink the power of the agency, which has spearheaded essential flood protection and mitigation efforts since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Cool Pavements Show Promise as Part of Urban Climate Resilience Strategy
Results from a pilot project in Los Angeles show that cool pavement treatments can serve as a key tool in a city’s climate resilience strategy.
Sibling Study Highlights Impact of Green Neighborhoods on Public Health
More evidence that access to green spaces and walkable communities improve public health outcomes.
Southwest Utah Lawn ‘Buyback’ Program Pays Off
Washington County has dramatically reduced per-capita water use, but the region’s explosive growth means increased demand for water.
Illegal Roads Threaten Lake Mead’s Shoreline
As visitors seek out ways to reach the lake’s increasingly distant shoreline, officials say illegally created roads are damaging environmental and cultural resources and leading to hundreds of calls for rescue for stranded vehicles.
How Cities Can Lead the Way in Reducing Transportation Emissions
Decisions made at the local level can have a significant impact on emissions in the transportation sector.
Spokane Imposes Temporary Ban on New Subdivision Housing Due to Wildfire Risk
Citing inadequate fire protection and public safety resources, the Spokane City Council has temporarily halted subdivision development in the wildland-urban interface of Latah Valley.
Minneapolis 2040 Plan Could Proceed Under New Law
A state law awaiting the governor’s signature could exempt comprehensive plans from environmental review, freeing the plan from recent lawsuits.
Los Angeles County Making Progress in Stormwater Capture
During this “super year” of storms, L.A. County has successfully captured 96 billion gallons of stormwater which is enough to meet the needs of about 2.4 million people a year.
Regenerating and Healing Land Through Parks
Through thoughtful planning and restoration efforts, parks can help heal degraded land, meeting multiple community needs, improving soil quality, restoring native vegetation, and creating habitats for wildlife.
BLM Grazing Lands Largely Fail Health Assessment
Grazing lands under the agency’s management are not meeting its own criteria for ecosystem conservation and sustainable use.
Opinion: Cities Need Green Infrastructure to Weather Future Storms
How ‘sponge cities’ can protect residents and conserve water.
Colorado Legislature Passes Enhanced Wetlands Protections
The bill would reinstate protections for wetlands and seasonal streams eliminated by a 2023 Supreme Court ruling.
Critics Say New York Highway Expansion Plans Oppose Climate Goals
Plans to widen some roads are drawing backlash from transit advocates who say they will lead to an increase in congestion and truck traffic.
Red States Challenge Biden Rules That Threaten Coal Power Plants
The publication in the Federal Register on May 9 of the Environmental Protection Agency's New Source Performance Standards for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from new power plants triggered the filing of 25 lawsuits from Republican-led states.
Highway Construction Flooded Their Homes; The State Says They’re Not Responsible
An earlier settlement for flood damages incurred by residents of Shiloh, Alabama came with an unexpected condition.
Montana Ranchers Question Massive Solar Project
The $1.2-billion solar farm would provide power to data centers owned by Microsoft, Meta, and others.
Severe Flooding Calls Attention to Houston’s Home Buyout Struggles
Recent extreme flooding along the San Jacinto River has prompted a review of the progress of Harris County’s flood-prone home buyout program.
Battery Park Resilience Project Breaks Ground
By 2027, the shoreline will be elevated by 5 feet to prevent flooding from future storm surges.
Virginia Data Centers Draining State’s Water Supply
Being the world’s largest data center hub is having a severe impact on local water resources.
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
