An article details the nascent successes of an innovative program by Washington, D.C. to fund green infrastructure improvements to its stormwater and wastewater systems.
Julian Spector details the ongoing work in Washington, D.C. to overhaul the city's stormwater and wastewater systems with green infrastructure, such as "rain gardens, green roofs, permeable surfaces, and leafy drainage ditches known as bioswales that filter and store extra rainwater…"
Critical to the effort, and the focus of Spector's coverage, is the funding mechanism created by the District Department of Energy and Environment, namely a retention credit systemthat establishes a market for stormwater retention. The article details the challenges in establishing a market for stormwater retention and some of the solutions both government agencies and the private sector have found for those challenges since 2014, when trading started. Especially important in scaling up the program has been a $1.7 million investment by Prudential that will allow District Stormwater to "install green infrastructure in places deemed most ecologically beneficial, and then sell the credits." Spector adds, "If it succeeds in turning a profit, Prudential will recoup its investment, plus interest, and the approach could be considered for other cities…"
FULL STORY: Turning Stormwater Runoff Into Everyone's Business

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance
The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package
Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane
The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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Planning for Universal Design
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Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont