The Seattle Green Factor asks developers to choose from buffet of architectural features and landscape design options to decrease the environmental burden of new development.
"Landscaping can be much more than a pretty face on urban development.
That's the idea behind pioneering new construction rules Seattle lawmakers recently approved to encourage builders to construct "green roofs," "vegetated walls" and other features that clean the air, insulate buildings and ease the burden of Seattle's wet climate on the city's drains and creek beds. ...
City officials say the initiative -- modeled after standards in Berlin and Sweden -- is probably the first of its kind in the nation. ..."
Thanks to Megan Ritchie Saffitz
FULL STORY: Seattle Adds a Touch of Green: new construction rules aim to promote more landscaping
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley
The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
How Urban Form Impacts Housing Affordability
The way we design cities affects housing costs differently than you might think.
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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.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.