Who knew green infrastructure was such a divisive topic?
Patrick Thornton reports on a curious case of neighborhood controversy in Montgomery County, Maryland, where residents are rejecting the idea of new "rain gardens" to help control stormwater Wheaton Woods.
"Rain gardens are designed to help stop flooding and prevent pollution in rivers and streams by holding and purifying stormwater," explains Thornton. But some residents are calling the rain gardens "pits of death" in effort to keep the county from building any more. According to Thornton, "some neighbors are fighting the gardens, saying they're worried that people will fall into them, that they'll hurt property values, or that stormwater pollution will end up in their yards."
Thornton notes that local candidates for county executives are echoing some of those opposing talking points, but all as a prelude to a photo essay exposing the ridiculousness of those claims. One thing Thornton will grant the opposition—Montgomery County could have done a better job with outreach before building new rain gardens.
FULL STORY: The 10 best “pits of death” in the Washington region
New York Sets a Goal for 5,000 New Curbside Rain Gardens
Seventy percent of the surface of New York City is impervious. A program with a goal to build a total of 9,000 curbside rain gardens will put a dent in the hardscape.
Adapting Combined Sewer-Stormwater Systems to Climate Change
Only one coastal city has a sewer system that must handle stormwater as well as wastewater. San Francisco's efforts to adapt its combined sewer-stormwater system has put it on the vanguard of the city's climate adaptation efforts.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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