Regional water issues are of major concern in many parts of the world. The Chicago area is especially sensitive to water. New efforts are underway there to help preserve a threatened resource.
Despite sitting next to a huge source of water in Lake Michigan, the Chicago area still needs to pay attention to water conservation efforts. New projects have launched to pay closer attention to the region's water security.
"In 2009, water supply planning took a major step forward when two pilot regional water supply planning groups - one in northeastern Illinois and one focused on the Mahomet Aquifer area in the middle of the state - completed Illinois' first stakeholder-driven water supply and demand plans. Reaching regional consensus on water issues has been a huge accomplishment, but more coordination is needed. Illinois needs goals that are consistent across state agencies, from the Illinois. Dept. of Natural Resources to the state's . Environmental Protection Agency to its Dept. of Transportation - and they need to be pursued through a mix of incentives and regulations."
FULL STORY: Water, Water, Everywhere — But Enough? A Mega-Regional Challenge

Good Planning Under Bad Leadership
Planners must sometimes work under bad leadership. Here are suggestions for responsive planning in challenging political environments.

Amtrak Cascades Line Breaks Ridership Record
The route linking Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC served nearly one million riders in 2024.

Legendary Parking Guru Donald Shoup Dies at 86
Urbanists are mourning the loss of a dynamic voice for parking reform and walkable cities.

LA County Leaders Seek to Increase Penalties for Rent Gouging
Landlords who raise rents sharply after disasters could face fines of up to $50,000.

How ‘Anti-DEI’ Efforts Impact Sustainable Transportation Studies
Research into accessibility, transit equity, and traffic safety is losing federal funding at an alarming rate.

River Seine ‘Teeming’ With Life
Decades of restoration efforts are yielding positive results as dozens of species of fish return to the once-polluted waterway.
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.
City of Brookings
City of White Salmon
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
M-NCPPC Prince George's County Planning Department
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service