Columbus achieved something no other U.S. city has managed: moving out of non-compliance with federal air quality standards for ground-level ozone.
Jason Plautz reports: "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared that Columbus, OH is the first city to move out of non-compliance with federal air quality standards for ground-level ozone, after three years of monitoring data showed the air has finally reached safe levels."
The city has attained 2015 standards, and as a result, "will no longer be subject to certain permitting restrictions and other economic penalties to reduce air pollution." The city credits increased public transit use and investments in clean energy for their success in improving air quality.
Other cities are taking steps backwards, however. "[The] EPA has already proposed downgrading Denver, CO to a 'serious' non-attainment status for the 2008 ozone standard, and is set to propose hat areas around Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Diego, New York City, Connecticut and Nevada also be downgraded for violating that standard," according to Plautz.
San Antonio Ramps Up Air Quality Efforts After Poor Showing
San Antonio's soon-to-be-adopted air quality plan will focus on transportation to reduce the city's air pollution.
Appeals Court: California Emissions Standards Upheld
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board, the nation's two most powerful environmental regulatory agencies, won an important round in federal court last week. But the emissions standards battle may not be over.
Air Quality Slips After Decades of Progress
Southern California has long been leader in air quality management, but lately the news has not been good.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.
San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.
Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts
Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.
Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions