Writing for National Geographic, Brian Clark Howard examines the "[innovative] techniques that mimic nature help restore open waterways, prevent pollution, and create habitats for animals."
Clark begins the article by examining the case of Broad Branch, a stream in Washington Creek, buried over a century ago in the name of malaria abatement. As problems, like pollution dumping into the Chesapeake Bay, have emerged as a result, " many cities have been undoing the past century's drainage projects, uncovering or 'daylighting' buried streams."
The article includes a guided tour provided by Keith Underwood, an Annapolis-based landscape architect hired by Washington D.C. to restore the Rock Creek drainage (of which Board Branch is a tributary). Underwood describes his work as "regenerative design," or a process of mimicking natural systems in a blend of art and engineering.
FULL STORY: In New Drainage Projects, Long-Buried Urban Streams See the Light Again
Another Ambitious Creek Daylighting Planned in the San Francisco Bay Area
The East Bay Regional Park District is planning to daylight Alder Creek in the Oakland Hills. Native fish and other species will benefit.
Road Through D.C.'s Rock Creek Park Closing to Cars
A long-discussed, and perpetually controversial, proposal to close Rock Creek Park to automobile traffic is headed toward construction. Questions about the impact of the project remain.
Nine Ways to Use Curb Space That Aren’t Parking
California’s new daylighting law bans parking within 20 feet of crosswalks. How can cities best use this space?
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor 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.
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)