Plans to dam China's last wild river have been circulating since 2003, but now it seems that conservationists could emerge victorious

Stuart Leavenworth reports: "Conservationists have had little to celebrate amid China’s dam-building boom of the last half century. In the Nu River gorge, they appear to be on the cusp of a rare victory." Leavenworth also explains the reasons for the optimism:
Yunnan’s provincial secretary recently announced a halt to small hydroelectric projects on tributaries of the Nu. He also advocated the creation of a national park in the region. Many think that announcement signals the shelving of plans for the Nu dams, which would displace thousands of villagers and forever alter the gorge’s natural scenery.
A combination of factors has contributed to the change of momentum: geologists have uncovered the threat of earthquakes in the area and "China’s anti-corruption campaign has swept up Yunnan officials supportive of the China Huadian Corp., the company planning the dams," explains Leavenworth. China is also reported to have an energy glut.
The article offers maps and many pictures, to offer more context and insight into the people and places found along the Nu River—described by some as the Grand Canyon of the East.
FULL STORY: China May Shelve Plans to Build Dams on Its Last Wild River

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service