"Green Building" projects like the Charles River mall in Massachusetts hope to help preserve the environment, but some activists say it isn't enough to combat the effects of sprawling development.
"Michael and Barbara Faron always feel good after visiting the Bread & Circus grocery at the Charles River mall. The organic rice cakes, the free-range chicken, recycled paper and plastic - it's environmentally friendly shopping, they say. What they didn't know is that the mall buildings themselves are ecologically sensitive. Rainwater is collected from the rooftops and sent to an elaborate network of underground tanks that recharge the aquifer deep below the parking lot." The methods the developers used are increasingly common in Massachusetts as developers embrace the practice of "green building," also known as sustainable design." Yet, some critics cite that an environmentally conscious development on farmland near a beltway is still sprawl.
Thanks to Christian Peralta
FULL STORY: 'Green' mall alters tone of sprawl debate

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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