A small but growing movement is bringing back what proponents say is a remarkably energy-efficient and earth-friendly way of building.
"Since the mid-1980s, more and more people have been drawn to straw-bale building for the user-friendly nature of the materials; the fact that straw bales are energy-efficient, with a high "R-value" (or degree of thermal resistance), which can reduce energy costs by as much as 75 percent; the aesthetics of thick walls and deep-set windows; and the environmental pluses of turning waste material into a solid home, instead of cutting down trees."
Thanks to Christian Peralta
FULL STORY: The first little pig was right!
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.
The French Solution to Congested Tunnels: Make Them Car-Free
Bay Area transportation officials keep expanding car capacity. Lyon’s Croix Rousse Tunnel offers a different way.
Missouri Governor Reverses Anti-Discrimination Housing Policies
A new state law bars cities from prohibiting source-of-income discrimination against tenants using Section 8 housing vouchers.
USDOT Launches Unfunded 'SAFE ROADS' Program
The program targets “distractions” and “political messages or artwork,” and paves the way for autonomous vehicles.
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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