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.

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The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

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Missouri Tenants Sue Housing Owners Over Tax Credit Program
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Judge Halts Trump Order Tying State Transportation Grants to Immigration Actions
Ruling applies to Colorado, which was among 20 plaintiff states.

New York MTA to Reimagine Subway Bottleneck
Changes proposed in a recently approved five-year plan would resolve a nearly century-old snarl that routinely delays trains.
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.
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