Air Pollution

United States from Space

Mapping the Trends in Pollution

Good news for the United States is found in a recent series of maps by NASA. Air pollution has significantly improved around the country.

February 6, 2016 - The Washington Post

Volkswagen Submits Another Recall Plan for Diesel Cars

Volkswagen has already submitted its recall plan for its 2-liter diesel engines—it was rejected by both the EPA and California Air Resources Board. It also needed to submit a recall plan for 3-liter diesel engines to CARB by Feb. 2, which it did.

February 4, 2016 - Bloomberg Business

Protecting the Lungs of Children by Improving School Location

With the national spotlight rightfully focused on the irreversible effects of lead in the drinking water of Flint, Michigan, another insidious threat remains: motor vehicle emissions affecting children's lungs.

February 1, 2016 - EPA Connect

Air Pollution Forces Italian Cities to Enact Serious Driving Restrictions

Unusually mild and dry weather in much of Italy has worsened air quality so much that city governments are acting to reduce emissions from one of the chief sources of air pollution by enacting odd-even license restrictions on driving.

December 29, 2015 - The New York Times - Europe

Car-Free Movement Gaining Steam in Europe and Elsewhere

Athlyn Cathcart-Keays of The Guardian-Cities chronicles the advancement of the international urban car-free movement as well as auto regulations that focus on air pollution. The most recent city to join the growing list is Oslo, Norway

December 12, 2015 - The Guardian Cities

This Weekend, Don't Forget: Cheap Gas Prices Aren't Always a Good Thing

There are a lot of people in this country that consider cheap gas to be a form of benevolence. Here are some reasons why they should curb their enthusiasm.

November 20, 2015 - City Observatory

Feds Release New 'Transportation and Health Tool'

A new tool from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Centers for Disease Control allows comparisons between state or metropolitan area on transportation and public health indicators.

November 13, 2015 - Metro Magazine

Madrid Street 2

Madrid Takes Drastic Action to Curb Pollution

With a growing reputation for heavy local pollution, the city of Madrid will impose reduced speed limits and driving restrictions in its central core. On bad days, transit will be free to ride.

November 12, 2015 - CityLab

Trees and People

Researchers Finding Evidence of the Negative Impacts of Trees in Urban Settings

More and more evidence has emerged in recent years about the many benefits of trees in urban environments. Every now and then, however, a study finds evidence that tress might not always be as benevolent as they seem.

November 11, 2015 - The Conversation

Saying Bye-Bye to Fireplaces And Wood-Burning Heaters in the Bay Area

In a Bay Area first, new home construction in most of the region will be banned from having these heating devices installed as the result of a rule adopted unanimously by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District on Oct. 21.

October 23, 2015 - San Jose Mercury News

Witness a Car-Free Paris

We call them Open Streets events. In French it's Journée Sans Voiture. On September 27, the world saw a car-free Paris.

September 28, 2015 - Gizmodo

Energy Factory II

A Real-Time Map of Global Air Pollution

A quick look at a real-time map of air pollution around the world shows how much healthier the air in the United States is than in China.

September 27, 2015 - CityLab

'Beyond the 710' Seeks Multimodal Alternatives to Filling Freeway Gap

A coalition in Los Angeles County wants to reframe the debate about closing the gap in the 710 Freeway, asking Metro to look "beyond the 710"—and toward a multi-pronged, multimodal approach to transportation problems in the region.

September 23, 2015 - The Planning Report

Should Electric Vehicles Be Taxed or Subsidized?

The answer depends on location, according to previous studies on EVs. The study from NBER evaluated both gas and electric-powered vehicles to determine their effect on the environment. A surprising recommendation is a new road funding option.

July 1, 2015 - CityLab

The Exorbitant External Costs Caused by the Trucking Industry

A new report from the Congressional Budget Office places the spotlight on the trucking industry in terms of the social, health ,and environmental costs it imposes on society but does not pay for, i.e., externalities.

June 8, 2015 - City Observatory City Commentary

Delhi Skyline

Confronting India's Urban Disaster

Contrary to popular belief, Beijing's air pollution is not nearly the worst in the world. The air of Delhi, India, is twice as polluted. For expats, this disaster raises important questions: is it ethical to live, and raise children, in India?

June 8, 2015 - New York Times

Rooftop Solar Panels

U.S. Cities Ranked By Energy Efficiency

According to an ACEEE report, Boston currently leads the way, with New York, Washington, DC, and San Francisco not far behind. Los Angeles, Washington, and Chicago show the most improvement since 2013.

June 2, 2015 - American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

The Health and Social Justice Implications of 'Line-Source' Air Pollution

The most dangerous air pollution is not smog and is barely known by the public, writes Bill Adams, editor of UrbDeZine. Line-source particulate matter air pollution could change the way the public thinks about road projects and gas powered cars.

May 31, 2015 - UrbDeZine.com

The Price of Global Energy Subsidies: $5.3 Trillion

An IMF working paper determined that global energy subsidies totaled $5.3 trillion this year, the worst offenders are China and the U.S. Placing a price on these subsidies, which include air pollution and carbon emissions, may be key to mitigation.

May 20, 2015 - Reuters

Arizona Suburb

Study: Sprawl Costs the U.S. Economy $1 Trillion Annually

A major new study estimates that sprawl costs the U.S. economy more than a trillion dollars annually, and results, in part, from planning and market distortions. Smart policy reforms can result in more efficient and equitable development.

March 19, 2015 - New Climate Economy

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.