Chicago has tapped into the US EPA's Urban Heat Island Pilot Project. But greening isn't cheap.
"Chicago, it seems, has tapped into the Urban Heat Island Pilot Project, a push by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to curb rising temperatures in pavement-dominated downtowns. Those areas have been found to be 10 degrees higher than surrounding rural areas, largely because dark-colored roofing and asphalt soak up sunlight. Roof gardens, on the other hand, can reduce building temperatures and save on air conditioning; absorb pollutants such as carbon dioxide (one of the gases implicated in global warming); and filter and reduce storm-water runoff."
Thanks to Design Architecture
Read the full story: Rooftop gardens are green in more ways than one
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.
LAX SkyLink opening delayed again, contractor won’t commit to new deadline
The project was supposed to open its doors to the public in 2023.
Caltrain may slash over one-third of its stations
If Bay Area voters reject two transit tax measures, Caltrain, BART and AC Transit will see steep service cuts.
A 'dangerous' precedent: North Carolina successfully pressures communities into voting for toll roads
Two mayors resigned from the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization after it voted in favor of the toll roads.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello