Following a heated email exchange on several popular email lists, the Sierra Club pulls its web-based Density Calculator.
Following significant media coverage related to an email debate among the Sierra Club and critics Wendell Cox (Demographia) and Randal O'Toole (Thoreau Institute), the Sierra Club revised its web-based Environmental Impacts Calculator to show lower densities and to reduce its Efficient Urban category by 80 percent. In early July, the Sierra Club removed the revised Environmental Density Calculator from its website entirely, with an "under construction" notice. Critics say that the action demonstrates the unrealistic nature of the Sierra Club's density assumption. The ongoing debate, as well as detailed comparitive statistics about urban densitites is detailed on the Demographia website.
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: UNSUSTAINABLE DENSITIES

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

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.

Conservatives’ Decongestion Pricing Flip-Flop
When it comes to solving traffic problems, the current federal administration is on track for failure, waste, and hypocrisy.

Renewable Energy Overtakes Coal for First Time
Solar and wind power generated close to a third of U.S. electricity supplies in 2024.

Pilot Project Offers E-Bike Rebates in New York State
The program will start in the Village of Ossining with plans to expand in the greater Hudson River region.

Can Geothermal Energy Fuel Hawaiʻi’s Future?
Gavin Murphy, a New Zealand-based consultant with experience in indigenous-led geothermal projects, argues that Hawaiʻi is poised to achieve energy independence and economic growth by respectfully developing its untapped geothermal resources.
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