The Dallas Morning New details Dallas' cool roof program, one of the ways the city tries to cool down its heat island effect.
Jesus Jimenez reports on the cool roofs initiative in Dallas, which the city has implemented as a mitigation measure to counter the city's urban heat island effect:
Cool roofs are designed to reflect, rather than absorb, the heat and can even help cool the inside of a building, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. Since 2013, the city requires all new construction in Dallas to have cool roofs as part of the Green Building Ordinance.
The city requires new buildings to install roofing materials that reflect solar heat on at least 75% of the roof's surface, have a vegetated roof that covers at least 50% of the area, or a combination of those two features, according to Jimenez. The requirements of the city's cool roof program are defined by standards used by the U.S. Green Building Council.
The article also features some of the famous buildings around the city that have gone beyond compliance with the city's regulations and sought LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, like the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Trinity River Audubon Center. Jimenez also looks to New York City and Los Angeles for examples of city programs that go a step beyond Dallas's cool roofs program.
FULL STORY: Dallas' green 'cool roofs' initiative helps city turn down the heat on urban oven

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

Portland Council Tentatively Approves Sidewalk Repair Plan
The proposal would address sidewalk needs in Portland’s District 1 and District 4.

Expanding Access to Design Education at Honolulu Community College
Honolulu Community College’s Architecture, Engineering & Construction Technologies program highlights the role of community colleges in preparing nontraditional students for careers in architectural and construction technologies.

Integrating Human Rights Into Energy and Extractive Sector Transitions
Why just transition efforts must move beyond economic considerations by embedding human rights principles into business practices to ensure equitable, transparent, and accountable outcomes for affected communities and workers.
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions