Environment

Utah

Six States Want Colorado River Pipeline Slowed

The seven states of the Colorado River Compact usually stay out of each other's business once the water is divvied up, but in a surprising move, six of the compact states have signed a letter to raise concerns about Utah's pipeline plans.

September 18, 2020 - KJZZ

Racing Cars

New Research Documents the Tragic Consequences of Noise Pollution

In the United States, busy roads shorten lives in more ways than one, but when it comes to the ill effects of noise pollution, almost no efforts are made to reduce the damage.

September 17, 2020 - Streetsblog USA

Floodplain

Mapping the Climate Change Future of the United States

The regions of the United States that have provided the most hospitable to human life and agriculture on the continent will likely be abandoned in a future altered by climate change, according to this interactive mapping project.

September 17, 2020 - ProPublica

child playing in Peavey Plaza fountain in Minneapolis

Twin Cities Climate Vulnerability: Extreme Heat

State climatologists are highly confident that heat waves are likely to trend upwards in future summers in Minnesota. To address extreme heat, researchers are identifying the factors that exacerbate extreme heat.

September 16, 2020 - PlanIt - Metropolitan Council

Fast Forward Bus

Senate Report Proposes Land Use and Transportation Reforms to Get Americans Out of Cars

Progress in combating climate change won't be possible unless Americans drive less. And Americans won't be able to drive less without changes to land use patterns in the United States.

September 16, 2020 - Transportation for America

Flood Damaged Suburb

1.2 Million Climate Refugees and Counting in the United States

Americans are fleeing the effects of climate change by the millions. Expect the number of climate refugees to continue to grow.

September 15, 2020 - The Week

New York City Subway

Formerly Redlined Neighborhoods Have Higher COVID-19 Prevalence, Study Says

Add COVID-19 to the list of long-term consequences of the racist and discriminatory regulatory and lending practices of the 20th century.

September 14, 2020 - Next City

The Calls on the River Aire

The Most Compassionate City in the U.K.

Leeds is the third biggest city in the U.K., located in the north of England. While it may not necessarily appear on tourists’ top bucket list destinations, the Leeds City Council is determined to make it the best city in the U.K.

September 14, 2020 - Cities of the Future

Wildfire

Wildfires in the West Are Climate Change Lessons for Everyone

The wildfires burning throughout the West, with terrible but photogenic consequences, come with a reminder that it's only going to get worse unless massive changes are made right here in the United States.

September 13, 2020 - James Brasuell

A Pirate Looks at . . . Seventy?

Reflections on a long career, a great interview, and six sssentials for greener, healthier communities via Kaid Benfield, one of the founders of Smart Growth America

September 11, 2020 - PlaceShakers

Arizona Agriculture

A Development Showdown Over Water in Rural Arizona

The battle for the future of Colorado River water, and whether it will be used for agriculture or new development, continues in Arizona.

September 10, 2020 - Arizona Republic

Los Angeles Sunset

A New Study Measures Extreme Heat's Human Impact, Flags At-Risk States

Heatwaves are the leading cause of deaths related to weather. A new study seeks to understand the impact of heatwaves and extreme heat exposure on humans and the cities in which they live.

September 6, 2020 - Cities Today

East Rutherford, New Jersey

Has the Lack of Access to Parks Driven Up COVID-19 Infection Rates in Black and Latino Communities?

Experts indicate that it is too soon to conclude that the lack of access to parks has contributed to higher coronavirus infection rates in Black and Latino communities, but say there is likely a relationship between the two.

September 4, 2020 - USA Today

Flooding

Home Valuation Needs to Consider the Risk of Climate Change

Climate change-fueled sea-level rise could cause a housing crisis of a new sort if the federal government doesn't reconsider valuation policies.

September 3, 2020 - Business Insider

Northern California Wilidfires

Wildfire Smoke Affecting Communities Across the Country

Wildfires in California and Colorado are spewing out smoke that is traveling to other parts of the country. The health effects of the dirty air are substantial, and they could last long after the fires are out.

August 31, 2020 - Inside Climate News

Chicago Lake Michigan Trees

Addressing Equity by Strategically Planting Millions of Trees

As part of the Trillion Trees Initiative, cities across the country are pledging to plant trees and restore urban forests to fight climate change and cool off disadvantaged communities.

August 31, 2020 - Bloomberg CityLab

Green

Critics Say Boston Tree Removal Plan Reflects Environmental Racism

A road project in Boston involves removing hundreds of mature trees. Residents say the plan is an environmental justice issue.

August 28, 2020 - The Boston Globe

Hurricanes

The Compounding Dangers of the Virus and Natural Disasters

As Hurricane Laura intensified into a Category 4 storm, public officials had to make decisions about evacuation during a time of sheltering in place. Researchers at Texas A&M University developed a risk index to guide decisionmaking processes.

August 28, 2020 - The Conversation

Harvey Floods Houston

The Racial Inequity of Disaster Recovery

Disaster recovery in the Houston area has been inconsistent, with low-income residents of color continuing to struggle to put their lives and communities back together.

August 27, 2020 - Urban Edge

Paradise, California

In Paradise, Using Greenbelts to Manage Wildfires

The Camp Fire in California devasted the town of Paradise. As rebuilding progresses, local leaders are looking to protect the town using nature-based fire resilience strategies.

August 27, 2020 - Bloomberg CityLab

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.