Environment
Included in the Stimulus: A New National Park
The New River Gorge in West Virginia, one of the most popular recreation areas in the United States, will be the newest national park thanks to the stimulus package approved by the federal government in December 2020.
Economic Shock Lowers U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Below 1990 Levels, Report Says
The decrease in U.S. economic activity during the pandemic year of 2020 reduced the country's greenhouse gas emissions by 10.3 percent.
Street Made Entirely of Recycled Plastic Asphalt
The material, now being tested on California roads, is made using recycled PET plastic and promises longer-lasting road treatments.
Is the Era of Over-Parking Over?
Cities like Vancouver are rethinking parking minimums as they try to meet climate goals, reduce traffic, and reallocate street space to other modes.
2020 Sets Record for Billion-Dollar Disasters
Tropical storms, tornadoes, and wildfires, along with everything else.
Density Takes Center Stage in the Pandemic, Again
The latest in a series of compendia tackling the effects of the pandemic, now and in the future, for cities and communities.
How to Sustain the Pandemic Bike Boom
With bike sales soaring as people seek out safe outdoor recreation, institutional support and investment can maintain the growth of cycling as commuters start going back to work.
GE's Massive Offshore Wind Turbine Makes Waves in the Industry
With a diameter longer than two football fields, a new wind turbine design promises to revolutionize the wind energy industry.
Majority of Power in the U.K. Generated by Wind for the First Time
Wind power generated 50.67 percent of the U.K.’s energy supply on one day in December, marking a major milestone in the history of renewable energy.
From Dumps to Solar Farms, One Houston Neighborhood Is Planning its Own Future
After decades of fighting landfills and pollution in their community, residents of Sunnyside are working to build a more sustainable future.
What Biden's First 100 Days Will Look Like for Transportation
The new administration's policies are likely to promote clean energy and equity goals and focus resources on maintenance of existing infrastructure.
The Southwest Contends With a Crisis on the Colorado River
With warmer temperatures sapping the flow of water and communities clamoring for higher volumes, the Colorado River needs strict management to continue serving millions of people and farms.
Los Angeles County the Riskiest Place in the U.S., FEMA Says
The new National Risk Index calculates the brutal equations of natural disasters.
A Year of Climate Action for Cities
The Trump administration might have dealt numerous setbacks in the fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but climate action in 2020 went local, with cities all over the country finding new ways to reduce emissions.
WSDOT Report Outlines Plan for Cascadia High-Speed Rail
A regional high-speed rail network could be coming to the Pacific Northwest, linking cities from Oregon to British Columbia.
EVs Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, but They're Not Pollution-Free
To reduce harmful particulate matter emissions, we need fewer cars on the road—electric or otherwise, according to the findings of a recent report.
Arizona Proposes Legislation to Protect Water After Trump Rollbacks to Clean Water Act
To protect the state's water resources, Arizona's Department of Environmental Quality has drafted a new set of regulations aimed at replacing Clean Water Act provisions struck down by the Trump administration.
Community Impact Funds Could Subsidize a Fossil Fuel Railroad
A railway project designed to move oil and gas across eastern Utah has received millions in grant money from a fund designed to mitigate the impacts of fossil fuels.
Watch: The Car-Free City Becomes Reality
The latest City Beautiful video shows off the fruits of car-free initiatives in European cities.
Water Use and Land Use Are Deeply Intertwined
It's time to recognize the interconnectedness of land use planning, water policy, and sustainability initiatives.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
