A new analysis ranks cities based on their environmental quality, energy consumption and production, transportation, density, and other factors.
An analysis of the 100 largest U.S. cities reveals the “greenest” urban centers based on 28 metrics including air and water quality, greenhouse gas emissions, transportation patterns and walkability, green job opportunities, and more.
As Samanda Dorger notes in The Street, “Many U.S. cities have recognized the economic advantages of sustainability efforts such as clean energy, recycling, composting, urban agriculture and clean transportation.”
According to the list, the greenest city in the United States is San Diego. California cities take six of the top 10 spots, with San Francisco ranking fourth, San Jose fifth, and the smaller communities of Fremont and Irvine rounding out the list.
Other top green cities are Washington, D.C., Honolulu, Seattle, and Portland. “Cities that ranked in the bottom five were: Glendale, Ariz., Hialeah Fla., Houston, Mesa, Ariz. and Baton Rouge, La.”
FULL STORY: Top 10 Greenest U.S. Cities
How Los Angeles County is Advancing Sustainability
A recently released report by the Chief Sustainability Office (CSO) shows that L.A. County is making progress on meeting the goals of the OurCounty Sustainability Plan.
Sustainability Expert Becomes Dean of USC’s School of Public Policy
Chris Boone, a sustainability leader, becomes dean of the USC Price School of Public Policy, where he aims to advance interdisciplinary solutions and sustainability initiatives while building on the school’s legacy of public policy leadership.
Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Climate Action
These solutions offer cost-effective, sustainable methods to combat climate change, but require government action to reallocate subsidies, integrate natural assets into financial systems, and develop biodiversity credit markets.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.
This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.
Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us
Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)