Environment
Identifying and Improving Schools Most In Need of Greening
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has developed an index to help identify the schools that are most in need of greening resources.
GAO Decision Makes it Easier for States to Spend Federal Infrastructure on Roads
An attempt by the Biden administration to control new infrastructure dollars has been foiled by the Congressional Review Act.
Planning Year in Review 2022: Downtowns, Transportation, Climate Change
Part two of a review of the major themes, debates, and events of the year in planning that was 2022.
Southern California Water District Declares Drought Emergency
State water officials say the region’s agencies will only receive 5 percent of their requested supplies for the start of 2023 due to intense drought conditions that continue to sap western water supplies.
Is Sprawl the Only Answer to High Housing Costs?
A recent article argues that sprawl is the solution to high housing costs, pointing out that low-density Sunbelt cities are more affordable than some more compact metro areas. What's wrong with this argument?
Colorado Reservoir Project Clears Final Permit Hurdle
Though opponents of the massive water diversion project plan to keep fighting in court, the permit issued this month is a major success for a plan almost 20 years in the works.
Superfund Project to Deliver Massive Water Supply Boon to Los Angeles
The semi-arid region of Los Angeles is often mistaken for a desert, but the local water supply is also constrained by the environmental sins of the 20th century. The water supply equation of Los Angeles will soon change, however.
Seattle Mayor Calls for ‘Low-Pollution Neighborhoods’
An executive order signed last week consolidates actions the city plans to take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Active and Micro Mobility Modes Can Provide Cost-Effective Emission Reductions–If We Let Them
What role can active and micro modes (walking, bicycling, e-bikes and their variants) play in reducing emissions? Far more than most current emission reduction plans will achieve. We can do better!
How Big Data Informs Park Planning
Data analysis and research by national organizations are helping to ensure equitable distribution and provision of parks and recreational facilities.
How Mutual Aid Increases Community Resiliency
Recent devastating weather events highlight the importance of community connection in keeping people safe when infrastructure fails.
New York City’s Tree Map Gets More Data
The online tool now shows granular, tree-level data that highlights the public health benefits and economic contributions of urban trees.
The Importance of Restoring Degraded Lands in Los Angeles County
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors just approved the Parks Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+), which highlights the need for transforming degraded lands such as landfills and oil fields into parks and open spaces, particularly in underserved communities.
L.A. County Calls for Flood Control Improvements
Recently revealed estimates put far more people in the region at risk for catastrophic flooding than previously thought.
Fairfax County Considering Bicycle Parking Minimums
Similar to vehicle parking requirements, the proposal would create a tiered system for minimum bike parking spots in new developments.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Housing and Fire Safety in California
A proposed development near the site of the devastating Camp Fire highlights the growing tension between building badly needed housing and protecting communities from heightened wildfire risk.
How Urban Trees Save Lives
New research shows a strong connection between a healthy urban tree canopy and lowered mortality rates.
Controversial Agreement Yields Funding for Salton Sea Restoration
An unprecedented, but deeply controversial, agreement changes the equation for the Colorado River and the Salton Sea.
Western Voters: Yes to Conservation, No to Extremism
Voters in Western states generally favored candidates who support public land conservation in this November’s election and rejected extremist rhetoric.
How President Biden Can Act To Protect Environmental and Cultural Sites
A new report highlights the mechanisms the President and his Cabinet could use to protect U.S. land and water resources without going through Congress.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
