Castle Square Apartments in Boston is currently being retrofitted in what is said to be the largest energy savings project of its kind. The low-income housing towers are receiving $6.7 million from HUD's Recovery Act Green Retrofit Program.
Stephen M. Frey attended the May 19th press conference where Mayor Menino and HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan got a tour of the work in progress.
Secretary Donovan said: "By helping make this development more energy efficient we are also improving the quality of life for the hundreds of families who live here."
Frey writes that the retrofit will "...cut energy use by 72%, will take a deep bite out of tenants' utility bills while dramatically reducing the building's carbon footprint. "
Extensive details about the retrofit are available at Metropolis Magazine.
FULL STORY: Deep Energy Retrofit

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl
The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.

Seattle Transit Asked to Clarify Pet Policy
A major dog park near a new light rail stop is prompting calls to update and clarify rules for bringing pets on Seattle-area transit systems.

Oregon Bill Would End Bans on Manufactured Housing
The bill would prevent new developments from prohibiting mobile homes and modular housing.

Nashville Doesn’t Renew Bike Share Contract, Citing Lost Federal Funding
The city’s bike share system, operated by BCycle, could stop operating if the city doesn’t find a new source of funding.
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 Tustin
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions