Fireproof Styrofoam forms, solar panels, and other latest developments in green building are showcased at "Building Green," an event sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders Research Council.
"Both Arxx and Eco-Block use fireproof Styrofoam forms for concrete walls. Using the industrial equivalent of hollow-center Lego blocks, the walls can be snapped together, then filled with concrete. The Styrofoam forms remain in place after the concrete sets, as a dual-layer insulation material that is covered by interior and exterior wall coverings...The advantages, in addition to being fireproof, are that the forms offer better sound reduction and energy efficiency than traditional building methods; plus, laboratory studies show them to be virtually hurricane-proof. Approximately 50 manufacturers are making systems under the general category of insulated concrete forms in North America, and similar systems have been used in Europe for the last 15 or more years."
Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan
FULL STORY: Green Houses: Not Just for Plants
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?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.
Rethinking Computing: Researchers Tackle AI’s Energy Demands
USC researchers are reimagining how AI systems are trained and powered — through smarter algorithms, innovative hardware, and brain-inspired designs — to dramatically reduce computing’s energy footprint.
Amazon-Owned Robotaxis to Begin Testing in LA
Los Angeles will become the sixth city where Zoox is testing its autonomous vehicle technology.
New York MTA Says No More Borrowing, Will Cut Costs Instead
The agency says it won’t take out any new loans to finance its planned improvements and is finding other ways to cut costs.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions