Climate change dominated the news this week, as flooding wreaked unfathomable havoc on the state of Louisiana.
It only takes three minutes to catch up on the biggest news stories of the week in the world of planning with the Planetizen Week in Review.
Normally it's foolish to point at a single weather event as proof (or disproof) of climate change, but the week's devastating flooding in Louisiana are an exception. Severe rains and flooding have repeatedly hit the state in the last year, in proof of a new era of climate change.
The village of Shishmaref in Alaska is aware of the new climate era: it voted this week to relocate, faced with rising seas and an eroding coastline.
Ambitious long-term plans were released in Chicago and in the Nashville region, as well. Finally, the city of San Francisco and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development had a high-profile disagreement about fair housing this week.
For more on the stories covered in the video, see the links below.
- This Is Climate Change: Eight 500-Year Storms Since May *2015
- Faced With Sea-Level Rise and Coastal Erosion, an Alaskan Village Votes to Relocate
- 25-Year Regional Transit Plan Revealed for Nashville
- A Bold Plan to Swim in Chicago's Rivers by 2030
- HUD Rejects San Francisco's 'Neighborhood Preference' Plan
FULL STORY: Planetizen Week in Review August 20, 2016
HUD Rejects San Francisco's 'Neighborhood Preference' Plan
The federal government has decided that a policy recently approved by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors would have the exact opposite effect of its intentions.
Rising Above: Innovative Solutions for Waikīkī’s Sea-Level Challenges
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s award-winning Waikīkī sea-level rise adaptation project combines science, architecture, and community input to create scalable solutions for climate resilience and coastal flood mitigation.
America’s Housing Crisis: Lessons Ignored and Challenges Ahead
A recent study reveals how decades of policy missteps, demographic shifts, and economic forces fueled America’s housing crisis, leaving millions — especially millennials — struggling amid rising demand, racial disparities, and climate-driven emergencies.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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)