The security border fence designed to combat illegal immigration into the U.S. is raising concerns over its impact on habitats and wildlife.
"[The Department of Homeland Security's border fence along the Rio Grande will bisect] Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, a 372-acre wildlife sanctuary on the banks of the Rio Grande River where El Paso, Texas meets Juarez, Mexico.
The construction of the fence is mandated under the Secure Fence Act, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2006 as a way of curtailing illegal immigration. As senators, both presidential candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama, voted for the Act.
[Environmentalists are concerned that] the wall will make the Park much less hospitable to both birds and mammals and may prevent some animals, like badgers and bobcats, from returning to the area."
Read the full story: Border Fence Raises Environmental Concerns
Is It OK to Charge Pedestrians and Bicyclists to Cross Toll Bridges?
The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District might charge pedestrians and cyclists using the bridge in a plan to keep the district, which also runs buses and ferries between San Francisco and Marin and Sonoma counties, solvent.
New Mexico spent millions drafting climate goals. Data centers are unraveling them
Three data centers in New Mexico and El Paso will release more emissions yearly than 2 million cars in the same timeframe.
El Paso launches improved bus network, new microtransit service
Sun Metro is eliminating some bus lines in favor of more frequent service, estimating that only 1% of riders will have to walk farther to reach a station.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
California city breaks ground on transit connector
The project includes three mobility hubs and a pedestrian bridge.
After public outcry, Massachusetts city releases housing development tracker
Cambridge’s tracker currently shows 250 housing projects in various stages of development.
40 years after approval, Chicago breaks ground on new park
The park honors Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the city’s first permanent non-native settler.
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 Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority