Environment

Officials cutting a ceremonial red ribbon at Skyline Ranch Park in Santa Clarita, California.

New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley

The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.

April 18, 2024 - The Signal

Nighttime view of wildfire in Los Angeles hills.

Significant Investments Needed to Protect LA County Residents From Climate Hazards

A new study estimates that LA County must invest billions of dollars before 2040 to protect residents from extreme heat, increasing precipitation, worsening wildfires, rising sea levels, and climate-induced public health threats.

April 17, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Aerial view of Maine harbor town with fall colors on trees.

Maine Law Promotes Smart Growth

New state legislation encourages cities to plan around ‘smart growth’ principles to preserve farmland and open space, and use infill development to build more housing.

April 17, 2024 - Maine Public

Aerial view of Macarthur Park lake with downtown Los Angeles skyline in background.

LA County Receives Reconnecting Communities Grants

Seven grant awards totaling $162 million will be used for planning, capital projects, and regional partnerships to reduce environmental harm and improve access in disadvantaged communities.

April 16, 2024 - Streetblog LA

View from middle of River Seine in Paris with Eiffel Tower on right side.

Seine Pollution Could Hinder Olympic Swim Events

Events like the triathlon could be impacted if tests continue to reveal high levels of dangerous bacteria in Paris’ famous river.

April 16, 2024 - Euronews Green

EVgo electric car charging station along Interstate 15 in California desert on the route to Las Vegas.

Appeals Court: California Emissions Standards Upheld

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board, the nation's two most powerful environmental regulatory agencies, won an important round in federal court last week. But the emissions standards battle may not be over.

April 15, 2024 - San Francisco Chronicle

Rendering of wildlife crossing over 101 freeway in Los Angeles County.

World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County

Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.

April 15, 2024 - LAist

Aerial view of Anchorage, Alaska at sunrise or sunset.

Anchorage High-Speed Highway Project Met With Skepticism

The Alaska Department of Transportation and its consultants are working on a Planning and Environmental Linkages study of the Glenn-Seward Highway that bisects the middle of Anchorage, Alaska.

April 15, 2024 - Alaska Public Media

Solar panel array with Mojave Desert mountains in background.

Western Solar Plan Charts Course for Development on Public Lands

The BLM’s proposed maps could open up as much as 55 million acres to solar installations.

April 11, 2024 - High Country News

Water flowing over top of Englebright Dam in Northern California.

California Water Plan Readies State for Climate-Impacted Future

A wet winter will replenish the state’s snowpack and reservoirs, but could also increase flooding and wildfire risk in some areas.

April 11, 2024 - KQED

Cars passing through flooded street after Hurricane Sandy in New York City.

Nearly Half of New York City Burdened by Pollution

Communities of color make up the majority of people harmed by pollution, as well as heat and flooding, says the study, which is New York City’s first comprehensive survey of environmental injustices.

April 9, 2024 - The Guardian

A quite pond with lilly pads floating on the surface and brush in the background.

Water Quality Comes Up Trumps in New Florida Gambling Deal

Florida will direct almost all the revenue from its gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe to fund water quality projects, to the tune of billions.

April 9, 2024 - Governing

Close-up of roll of green artificial turf laying on more artificial turf.

Fossil Fuel-Based Artificial Turf Raises Concerns

Cities and states are rolling back support for artificial turf, which can leach chemicals and microplastics into groundwater.

April 9, 2024 - Route Fifty

Two workers in white hard hats looking up at large photovoltaic solar panels.

‘Green Bank’ Network To Fund Climate Projects

The federal government announced a $20 billion investment to support low-interest loans for climate and clean energy projects.

April 8, 2024 - Inside Climate News

View of cars stuck in gridlocked traffic with traffic lights in background

Judge Declares Federal Emissions Rule ‘Arbitrary and Capricious’

Another judge already vacated the rule nationwide before the latest case was decided.

April 8, 2024 - Reuters

Sillhouettes of group of people watching solar eclipse.

Towns Preparing for Eclipse Exodus

Monday’s solar eclipse will bring increased traffic to parts of the country in its path.

April 5, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Two large California live oaks in a field of dry grass.

California’s Live Oaks in Focus

The new exhibit explores the hidden network that allows heritage coast live oak trees to communicate with one another.

April 4, 2024 - Outlook Valley Sun

Palm trees sillhouetted against dark evening sky at Santa Monica Beach with pier with illuminated Ferris wheel in background.

Spring Fun at Los Angeles County Parks

L.A. County is offering a spring edition of its popular and award-winning Parks After Dark program, providing opportunities for residents to come together and have fun in safe and welcoming spaces.

April 3, 2024 - Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation

Multistory buildings under construction in a dense city with cranes.

Soaring Property Insurance Rates Threaten Affordable Housing Development

Rapidly rising insurance premiums are forcing affordable housing developers to cut back on programming, lay off staff, and even sell. To add insult to injury, some insurers also seem to be adding penalties or withdrawing coverage for housing voucher holders.

April 3, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

View of Topanga Canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains.

California's Top-Rated Park for Hikers Is Inside the City of LA

According to AllTrails, a popular fitness and travel mobile app, Topanga State Park has many highly-rated trails, most of which are of moderate difficulty and vary in length from three to seven miles.

April 2, 2024 - The Travel

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.

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.