Environment

USPS truck in winter, Lexington Massachusetts

Sustainability Advocates Reject USPS Electrification Plan

Critics say the Postal Service's argument for its weak commitment to electrifying its vehicle fleet doesn't hold water.

January 13, 2022 - Streetsblog USA

Beautiful Pink Flowers along the East River at Hunters Point South Park during Spring in Long Island City Queens

The Built Environment in 2022: Challenges and Opportunities

As climate change, the pandemic, and a historic housing crisis continue to impact the nation, experts weigh in on the issues that could shape the future of the built environment in 2022.

January 13, 2022 - Brookings

A view out over the city of San Jose, with downtown highrises in the background distance and smoggy air hanging overhead.

Saving San Jose's Vanishing Tree Canopy

Trees are vanishing from the San Jose, California cityscape. The city has a plan to reverse the damage, but significant challenges stand in the way of progress.

January 12, 2022 - The Mercury News

Offshore wind turbines at Barrow Offshore Wind off Walney Island in the Irish Sea

Northern California Port Seeks Offshore Wind Lease

The Port of Humboldt has proposed a plan to modernize its facilities to accommodate offshore wind energy production, hoping to stimulate the local economy and create sustainable jobs.

January 11, 2022 - Inside Climate News

A line of trees next to open grass land at the Ridges Sanctuary in Wisconsin.

Land Trusts Had a Big Decade

Land trusts are diversifying, racking up victories, and conserving millions of acres of land in recent years, according to a recent report.

January 11, 2022 - Penn Live

Sprawl

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Growing Faster than the Economy in the U.S.

2021 greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. transportation increased 10 percent compared to the previous year, pushing the entire world further from the emissions reductions necessary to prevent the worst effects of climate change.

January 10, 2022 - Rhodium Group

A Black LIves Matter Protest, with a protestor holding up a sign that reads "Open Your Eyes: Systemic Racism Is Real"

Racial Disparities in Life Expectancy Are a Place-Based Problem

New research from the Brookings Institution illuminates the racial disparities of public health outcomes both during and before the pandemic.

January 10, 2022 - Brookings Institution

 The remains of a mobile home park in Sylmar, California. 480 of the park's 600 mobile homes were burned in the Sayre Fire in November 2008.

U.S. Communities Increasingly at Risk of Extreme Weather Events

As development pushes into more wildfire-prone areas and climate change makes extreme weather conditions more common, more Americans are experiencing the destructive impacts of climate disasters.

January 9, 2022 - The Washington Post

Pigeons on the Empire State Building, New York City, USA.

Saving Birds By Design

Reflective glass high-rises kill millions of birds each year, but bird-friendly design can save birds and reduce energy consumption.

January 6, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Veridian @ County Farm — THRIVE Collaborative Development Visit

Mixed-Income 'Eco-Village' Planned in Michigan

A net-zero emissions development near Ann Arbor hopes to provide a model for sustainable communities.

January 6, 2022 - Grist

Solar Power

Delaware County Pauses Solar Applications In Response to Local Opposition

Large-scale solar developments face rising hostility from neighboring property owners who cite concerns about environmental degradation, reduced property values, and loss of farmland.

January 6, 2022 - WFYI

2020 California wildfires from Oakland, CA

California Insurers Call for Pricing Based on 'Catastrophic Modeling'

Home insurers argue they should be able to base policy costs on modeling that accounts for future risks from climate change and overdevelopment.

January 4, 2022 - Politico

Tailpipe

Emissions Benefits of the Biden Administration's New Tailpipe Emissions Rules

Emissions prevented by new tailpipe standards announced by the Biden administration in December 2021 will be measured in the billions.

January 3, 2022 - Grist

A conceptual rendering showing an extended shoreline, filled with green park space, along the shore of Lower Manhattan.

Lower Manhattan Climate Resilience Plan Released

The Financial District and Seaport Climate Resilience Master Plan will extend the shoreline in Lower Manhattan by up to 200 feet.

January 2, 2022 - New York City

Walkable Street

Ten Urban Success Stories From 2021

Still battling a global pandemic and its widespread economic and social effects, cities nevertheless made progress in some unexpected ways.

December 31, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Natural gas stove with blue flame

Fighting Climate Change in the Kitchen

With more cities banning the use of natural gas in new buildings, cooks are discovering the benefits of electric appliances.

December 30, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

The first R1T built for a customer rolling off Rivian's assembly line at their plant in Normal, IL

Georgia Offers Massive Incentive Package to EV Manufacturer

Critics question the wisdom of giving Georgia's largest-ever incentive package to electric car manufacturer Rivian to secure a new factory and job training center in East Atlanta.

December 30, 2021 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Governors Island

Finalists Selected for Governors Island Climate Research Center

Four teams will submit detailed proposals for a new climate research and education center on New York's Governors Island.

December 30, 2021 - The Architect's Newspaper

Pittsburgh at Night

Pittsburgh Becomes First 'Dark Sky' City in Eastern U.S.

As evidence showing the benefits of dark skies builds, Pittsburgh becomes the first eastern American city to enact a dark sky policy.

December 29, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Water SUpply

States Agree to Drastic Water Cuts From Colorado River

In the throes of a historic megadrought, three Southwestern states will make deep reductions in their water usage to preserve diminishing resources.

December 28, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

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.