Under a nationwide campaign, nonprofit groups and the Japanese government hope to get one million people to dump water on city streets in August.
Called uchimizu, the practice of sprinkling water on the ground, the national effort to combat 'the heat island effect' is in its second year. Last year, 300,000 turned out to scoop water into the street, lowering the temperature by one degree Celsius. People are encouraged to use waste water and at least one official said uchimizu is a wonderful way "to get reacquainted with one's neighbors." Every major city, and many outlying prefectures, will hold an event.
Thanks to Jeffrey Goodman
FULL STORY: Water-sprinkling campaign aims to cool heat islands
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Has President Trump Met His Match?
Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.
Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution
Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.
Low-Income Columbus Households Struggle to Find Housing
The Ohio city has a more severe affordable housing crisis than more traditionally expensive cities like New York and San Francisco.
Expanding Green Spaces in Greater LA: Challenges and Solutions
Creating parks and open space in L.A. County requires overcoming land scarcity, high costs, and other challenges through strategic partnerships, innovative multi-benefit designs, and policy reforms to ensure equitable access and sustainability.
Embracing Spring: Ways to Reconnect With Nature and Find Joy
This spring, reconnect with nature and enhance your well-being through simple activities like observing plants up close, practicing forest bathing, birdwatching, arranging flowers, and starting a container garden.
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.
Resource Assistance for Rural Environments
City of Edmonds
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research