The city of Long Beach, California has initiated a water conservation campaign, including YouTube videos. As a result, residential water use rates have hit record lows.
"Water consumption has dropped markedly in the three months since Long Beach became the first sizable city in California to mandate restrictions, city reports show. September water use set a 10-year record low, dropping 8% from the same month last year. It fell 5% in October and 6% in November, another record." In contrast, voluntary restrictions in Los Angeles led to a one percent increase in water usage; San Diego's request for residents to reduce water usage by 20 gallons per day also had little effect.
Long Beach's campaign has no pricey television commercials. "Conservation spots run on 14 cable channels, and residents can choose to receive 'e-watering updates' via e-mail. Free courses teach gardeners how to conserve. Car dealerships show water alerts on lighted signs along the freeway."
Most water was saved by Long Beach residents who cut back on lawn watering. Watering is allowed only three days a week, only at night and only for 10 minutes. "Using regular hoses to wash sidewalks, patios and parking lots is also banned, a point driven home in another YouTube video that shows a woman hosing down a driveway, with a yellow smiley-face logo added to shield her identity."
FULL STORY: Long Beach water ban dripping with success
Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.
Research: Walkability Linked to Improved Public Health
A study reveals that the density of city blocks is a significant factor in communities’ walkability and, subsequently, improved public health outcomes for residents.
Report Outlines Strategies for Resilient Wildfire Recovery in LA
Project Recovery offers a roadmap for rebuilding more sustainable and climate-resilient communities after wildfires and other disasters.
New Executive Order Renews Attack on Public Lands
An order issued late last week pushes for increased mineral extraction on federally owned public lands.
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.
Florida Atlantic University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
City of Piedmont, CA
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland