Environment

Water Treatment

San Diego Launches Massive Sewage Treatment Project

The ambitious Pure Water project is designed to reduce the city's dependence on imported water and limit the amount of sewage dumped into the ocean.

August 27, 2021 - San Diego Union-Tribune

Wildfire

Carbon-Offset Forests Are Burning Up in Wildfires

Wildfires are consuming forests designated for carbon storage to fight climate change, highlighting the fragility of these carbon offset schemes.

August 26, 2021 - The New York Times

Highway Construction

How the Environmental Review Process Privileges Highway Construction Over Transit

U.S. transit projects have a much harder time getting environmental approval than road projects, perpetuating the dominance of cars in U.S. transportation policy.

August 25, 2021 - Slate

Water rushes over a spillway at a large concrete dam.

Congressional Bills Could Hit Refresh on U.S. Dams

The 21st Century Dams Act, a proposal to remove four dams on the lower Snake River, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act all have a chance to redefine the country's approach to dams and watersheds.

August 25, 2021 - American Rivers

Deer eating an orange on a Banff street

Returning to a Wilder World

The pandemic induced an accidental 'rewilding' in many places as animals took over cities and streets devoid of humans. As we emerge from our isolation, can we co-exist peacefully?

August 25, 2021 - High Country News

Fuel Break Wildfire

A New Approach to Wildfire Resilience: Property Buy Backs, Fire Resistant Parks

The city of Paradise is employing a natural hazard mitigation strategy long practiced in flood zones. The idea could be expanded in other places where wildland meets human development.

August 25, 2021 - NPR

An oil line extends into Resurrection Bay in Seward, Alaska.

Judge Halts Controversial Alaska Drilling project

The 'Willow' project would pump 600 million gallons of oil and emit 500 metric tons of carbon dioxide in the next 30 years.

August 22, 2021 - Inside Climate News

Texas Highways

Op-Ed: Instead of a New VMT Tax, Raise the Gas Tax

Implementing a tax based on miles traveled could disincentivize purchasing more efficient cars and would do little to improve road safety, one columnist argues.

August 20, 2021 - The Hill

Road Construction

Proposed Colorado Rule Calls for Mitigating Climate Effects of Road Projects

State and local agencies would be tasked with evaluating and offsetting the carbon emissions caused by new transportation projects.

August 20, 2021 - Colorado Public Radio

Skinny Skyscraper

Report: Skyscrapers a Driving Factor of the Urban Heat Island Effect

As cities build upwards in an effort to create more housing and increase walkability, research shows that tall buildings intensify heat and contribute to increased carbon emissions.

August 19, 2021 - Grist

Dry Lake in Arizona

Federal Government Declares Water Shortage as Lake Mead Reaches Critical Low

The first-of-its-kind declaration triggers major water cutbacks for Arizona farmers and reduced allocations for Nevada and Mexico.

August 19, 2021 - The Arizona Republic

The city of Baltimore's Inner Harbor blanketed in fog, as seen from the water.

Resiliency Hubs Help Baltimore Plan for Climate Emergency

The Green New Deal for Cities, a bill introduced in April by reps. Cori Bush (D-MO) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), includes among the list of projects eligible for funding those that "build capacity for communities to endure extreme weather."

August 18, 2021 - Next City

Solar and Wind Energy

California Energy Commission Mandates Solar Power

In an effort to curb the state's greenhouse gas emissions, builders will be required to include solar power in many new commercial and large residential buildings.

August 17, 2021 - The New York Times

Capitol Hill

Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Heads to the House: Details and Reactions From the Planning World

Planetizen gathered explainer posts and advocacy responses that continue to shine a light on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, approved by the U.S. Senate earlier this month.

August 17, 2021 - James Brasuell

Natural Resources Conservation Service's Wetlands Reserve Program

How to Fight Climate Change and Increase Resiliency, Naturally

Five actions governments could take quickly to reduce emissions and restore ecosystems.

August 16, 2021 - NRDC

Maricopa County, Arizona

Why It's So Difficult to Measure Heat Deaths

Without a standard for recording and classifying heat-related deaths, experts believe the scale of the problem is much bigger than numbers let on.

August 15, 2021 - PBS

Las Vegas, Nevada

Cities in the South and West Keep Sprawling

New suburbs continue to expand into previously undeveloped areas, putting strain on local resources.

August 13, 2021 - The Washington Post

Drinking Water

Delivering Clean Water to the Many in Need

Examining the immense scale of the challenge in delivering clean drinking water to everyone in the world.

August 11, 2021 - Waterdrop

Capitol Hill

Bipartisan 'Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act' Passes the Senate

A final vote of 69-30, with 19 Republicans joining their Democratic colleagues in the Senate, will send the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to the House.

August 10, 2021 - James Brasuell

Hopkins Wilderness Park, Redondo Beach, CA

Creating Urban Wilderness in the South Bay of L.A. County

The South Bay Parkland Conservancy is working to create a connected urban wilderness throughout the South Bay with trails, parks, and native habitat for wildlife.

August 10, 2021 - Easy Reader 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.