Environment

Green Stormwater Infrastructure

What Is Green Infrastructure?

Green infrastructure harnesses nature to the benefit of the built environment as well as human and animal life.

July 25, 2023 - James Brasuell

Blurred image of ciy skyline with orange filter indicating extreme heat

How to Scale Up Heat Mitigation

As heat waves intensify, cities are seeking out heat mitigation techniques that can be applied widely and benefit entire neighborhoods.

July 25, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Oil drilling pumps on a wetland beach in California with houses in background

Proposed Regulatory Changes Would Raise the Cost of Oil Drilling on Public Land

The new rules would raise more money for cleanup operations and bring more revenue to oil-producing states, but are a far cry from fulfilling President Biden’s promise to end extraction on public lands.

July 24, 2023 - High Country News

View of George Washington Bridge between New York and New Jersey again sunrise or sunset sky

NJ v. U.S. DOT: Cordon Pricing in Manhattan

The State of New Jersey filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday to halt the Manhattan cordon pricing project approved in June by the FHWA, charging that they violated the National Environmental Protection Act.

July 24, 2023 - NJBIZ Journal

White shuttle bus picks up passengers in Zion National Park, red cliffs and mountains in background.

Improving Transit Access to Parks and Trails

Too often, national parks and other recreational spaces in the United States are difficult or impossible to access without a car. Some parks are working to change that.

July 21, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Sepia-toned photo of flooded street with residential home

Chicago Flood Mitigation Scrambles to Keep up With Climate Change

The city’s geography and the growing intensity of storms due to climate change are making it difficult for local officials to prevent neighborhood flooding and wastewater spills.

July 20, 2023 - Governing

Vacant lot with overgrown concrete foundation

The Double-Edged Sword of ‘Healthfields’

Building hospitals and other health-oriented facilities on former brownfield sites can benefit the community, but can also perpetuate historic inequities and exploit undervalued land at the expense of local residents.

July 19, 2023 - Next City

Close-up of yellow dandelion flower poking through crack in broken concrete

How to ID Urban Wildflowers

Ever wonder what those flowers growing through a crack in the sidewalk are? This guide from Streetsblog has you covered.

July 18, 2023 - Streetsblog Massachusetts

Blackfoot memorial statue in Glacier National Park of Native American sitting on horse

Public Lands in the United States, Part Two: The Conservation Turn and ‘America’s Best Idea’

As Western expansion reached its geographic terminus, the U.S. government began tightening rules around land use and designating protected areas such as national parks and wilderness areas, often displacing local Native Americans in favor of a Wester

July 17, 2023 - Diana Ionescu

Black plume of smoke rising from petrochemical plant fire in Houston, Texas

EPA Grant Will Fund Air Pollution Tracking in Houston

The city wants to monitor air quality and measure cancer-causing emissions near two petrochemical plants, one of which announced plans for expansion last year.

July 17, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

View of San Francisco skyline from Tunnel Tops park in the Presidio.

San Francisco’s Tunnel Tops Gets Family-Oriented Expansion

Unlike its flashier, selfie-friendly neighbor, the new Outpost Meadow is designed to provide comfortable space for locals.

July 13, 2023 - San Francisco Chronicle

Traffic on freeway in Houston, Texas with downtown buildings in background

Houston’s Equity Score Leaves Room for Improvement

Houston is an international city, with a diverse population and economy. Its equity indicators, however, are relatively average compared to other U.S. cities.

July 12, 2023 - Houston Chronicle

Young bull moose stands in grassy field in Bridger-Teton National Forest

How Noise Pollution Impacts Nature

Overly loud noise isn’t just a public health risk for humans.

July 11, 2023 - High Country News

Two bridges over Puget sound, Tacoma washington

Washington Governor Delays Progress on Mileage Fee, Again

For the second time in two years, Gov. Jay Inslee has dealt a legislative setback to transportation planning efforts to prepare for the 2035 ban on the sale of gas-tax paying light duty motor vehicles to reduce carbon emissions.

July 10, 2023 - The Seattle Times

Cars wait in line to get into Yosemite National Park

Overcrowding at Yosemite National Park

Long lines of cars have been trying to enter the park, with many stuck in traffic for hours and vehicles parked illegally in traffic lanes, on grass, and between rocks.

July 6, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Night view of wildfire burning near residential area in California

Wildfire Exposure More Than Doubled Since 2000

More intense and widespread fires caused by climate change and changing air temperature are threatening more existing communities.

July 6, 2023 - Source NM

Diverse group of young people walking through forest

Who Is Enjoying the Great Outdoors?

Findings from the 2023 Annual Outdoor Participation Trends Report reveals the “who, how, and where” in participation in outdoor recreation.

July 5, 2023 - Breaking Travel News

Woman in leggings and long-sleeved jacket walks in public park among fall foliage

Parks and Recreation as a Health Solution

New research by the Trust for Public Land explores connections between urban parks and health, building on prior research and offering insights such as the growing importance of partnerships with health organizations.

July 4, 2023 - Governing

Palm trees on Santa Barbara beach against the red glow of a wildfire

California Considers Climate Resiliency Bond for 2024 Ballot

The proposed state general obligation bond would address the need to protect communities and natural resources from the impacts of climate change.

July 3, 2023 - California Local

View of snowy San Gabriel Mountains from the Mojave desert

Growing Support for Expanding the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument

Members of Congress are proposing an expansion to the national monument by over 109,000 acres, increasing its size by nearly a third.

July 3, 2023 - NBC4.TV News

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.

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.