Writing in the New York Times, Kenneth Chang explores the challenges of Historic Preservation in an unlikely location, the surface of the moon.
For most of the last decade Beth L. O'Leary, a professor of anthropology at New Mexico State University, and her students have been seeking formal protections for the artifacts remaining on the Moon from the Apollo 11 and Apollo 17 missions.
The States of California and New Mexico have now officially listed the areas as Historical Resources. More crucially, NASA recently joined the effort by issuing a series of recommendations to protect the landing sites and the remaining artifacts.
Unfortunately, those official actions have no legal force. To protect the items from future visitors, Robert Kelso, manager of lunar commercial services at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, is "hoping that whether it's an international team or a commercial team, they would honor and recognize the value of these sites and honor these recommendations."
FULL STORY: To Preserve History on the Moon, Visitors Are Asked to Tread Lightly
Train on the Moon? US to Explore Lunar Railway
Program proponents say this “visionary” endeavor “heralds a new era of human presence and economic activity beyond Earth.”
The Trouble With QUIMBY
The idea of “quality urbanism in my back yard” has its uses, but should not be used to limit housing supply.
Avoiding Misplacement of a Place
To balance the interests of current residents and economic well-being, does a city's signature identity need an update?
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)