Laura Tepper explains "road ecology", the intersection between transportation planning and habitat conservation.
Road ecologists study "...how roads act as barriers inhibiting the movement of plants, animals, water and soils; how traffic run-off contaminates surface and underground water; and how particulate emissions and noise pollution affect habitats."
But they also seek solutions for these problems. You may have never heard of road ecology, but it turns out many universities are on the cutting edge of this growing field:
"Major research centers now include the Road Ecology Center at UC Davis, the Center for Transportation and the Environment at North Carolina State University, and the Western Transportation Institute's Road Ecology Program at Montana State University."
Read the full story: Road Ecology: Wildlife Habitat and Highway Design
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan
Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.
Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment
Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.
LA to transform part of water treatment facility into new park
By rebuilding some of the Los Angeles-Glendale Water Reclamation Plant’s infrastructure, the city will free up 18,000 square feet to create a new green space for the public.
San Antonio approves $1.1 billion transit agenda
The agency has also begun construction of its Via Rapid Green line, which will service passengers from the San Antonio International Airport.
Guerilla urbanists’ DIY benches joined by sanctioned seats in Chicago
The group behind the original homemade benches said they will continue installing them across bench-less bus stops in Chicago.
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.
One Hundred Miles
County of Mendocino
planning NEXT
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority