Environment
Criticism for Army Corps' Houston Flood Protection Plans
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has revised a plan to protect the Houston region from flooding by tossing out a proposed tunnel and opting instead to dig Buffalo Bayou wider and deeper.
Trump's Legacy: Climate Change
The Biden administration and effects of time will erase some of the consequences of the Trump administration's methodical dismantling of the nation's environmental regulation. But climate change will be around longer than any of it.
More Parks and Trees Can Increase Life Expectancy
New research shows that increasing park acreage in areas that face park deficits and low levels of tree canopy could lead to significant population-level increases in life expectancy.
Cincinnati Heat Islands Disproportionally Affect Low-Income Communities
A new study drives home the need for heat reduction measures in areas populated by lower-income residents.
Pandemic Emissions Prove How Much of a Difference the U.S. Could Make by Driving Less
Driving in the United States accounted for five percent of global carbon emissions before the pandemic, but U.S. cars and trucks account for 20 percent of the global emission reductions during the pandemic.
The 'Marshall Plan for Middle America' Plans $600 Million in Clean Energy Investments
A coalition of leaders in the Appalachian region recently released the "Marshall Plan for Middle America" to create jobs and transition the states of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky away from fossil fuels.
Reimagined Public Spaces and Programming During the Pandemic
Public spaces have become more important than ever. Here are five case studies of innovative and safely designed programming that engages people of all ages and backgrounds.
Veterans and Gold Star Families Can Now Visit National Parks for Free
A small token of gratitude to the veterans who fought to protect the freedoms of the United States, and the families who sacrificed everything.
A New Tool for More Flexible and Resilient Water Policies
A new book created by the Sonoran Institute explains how exploratory scenario planning can be useful to prepare for the uncertainty of water in the near- and long-term future.
Uncertain Times for Trade Shows and Conferences
Expecting a dark winter, conferences are being canceled worldwide, putting millions of jobs at risk.
Clean Energy Scores Big Wins on Election Day
State and local voters picked a side on Tuesday: clean, renewable energy.
California Reservoir Project at Risk of Forfeiting $171 Million in State Funding
The Temperance Flat Reservoir Project might be falling too far behind schedule to maintain a huge chunk of state funding, according to reports.
13-Mile Park to Playa Trail Seizes the Moment in South Los Angeles
A new 13-mile regional trail opens in South Los Angeles, connecting various parks to the Pacific Ocean and providing additional opportunities for residents to enjoy outdoor recreation during a pandemic.
U.S. Officially Withdraws From the Paris Climate Accord
An even set in motion years ago by the Trump administration came to fruition on November 4 while most Americans were paying attention to the election.
2020 Election Results for Transportation and Land Use
Thinking beyond the presidency: Here's an Election Day 2020 roundup of election issues related to planning, urban design, and the built and natural environments.
Bill Would Double Protections for Montana Rivers
The Montana Headwaters Legacy Act would double the number of wild and scenic rivers in the state of Montana.
Maui County Wants Big Oil to Pay for the Costs of Rising Seas
Maui County hopes to prevent big oil companies like Exxon from taking their climate change damages case to federal courts, insisting that the lawsuit be heard at the state level.
Coronavirus and the Future of Cities: A Final Pre-Election Tour of the Issues
This is Planetizen's seventh collection of articles on the subject of the future of cities in the wake of the pandemic, and how cities and communities are changing plans to respond to the many changes that world has experienced in 2020.
How Most Western Cities Decreased Water Usage While Growing In Population
Regulation and incentivization helped cities in the Western United States keep water usage and population growth on opposite trend lines.
Protections Stripped From Alaska's Tongass National Forest
The Trump administration has, in the past week before the election, achieved one of the largest rollbacks of public land protections of its entire tenure.
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
