The Interstate 70 expansion project is affecting air quality in surrounding neighborhoods, where chronic illness is prevalent and residents feel their health and safety have not been priorities.

Photojournalist RJ Sangosti reports on residents in a part of Denver where the air quality is some of the worst in the nation and asthma rates are on the rise. "A health-impact assessment conducted by Denver in 2014 found that residents of Elyria-Swansea and Globeville experience higher incidences of chronic health conditions — including asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity — than other Denver neighborhoods."
Poor air quality has plagued the area for years, but the Colorado Department of Transportation is now also expanding Interstate 70. Residents are worried that dust and diesel pollution from the project will exacerbate health problems in the community, particularly for children with asthma living in these neighborhoods.
Sangosti says that a noise variance meeting last fall brought out a diversity of residents concerned about the construction. "[Yadira] Sanchez’s son Ruben was among them. The teenager spoke about growing up near the construction and his concerns for his mother and two younger siblings who have asthma. He wondered how four years of breathing construction dust from the expansion will affect his family."
FULL STORY: The Long Shadow: Families in Elyria-Swansea struggle with asthma amid historic I-70 construction

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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie