Animals
The Year in Urban Wildlife
A roundup of stories about the creatures that share our cities.
The Resiliency of Urban Wildlife
A wide-ranging research study highlights the various qualities that make animal species living in urban environments thrive—and how biodiversity improves the health of our cities.
Wildlife Crossings as Key Infrastructure
Animal-vehicle collisions cause billions in property damage, hundreds of human deaths, and dramatic losses in animal populations every year. Monitoring migration and building for animals can make roads safer for everyone.
Returning to a Wilder World
The pandemic induced an accidental 'rewilding' in many places as animals took over cities and streets devoid of humans. As we emerge from our isolation, can we co-exist peacefully?
Proposed Ordinance Would Limit Livestock Ownership in Chicago
In an effort to elevate a standard of care for livestock, an ordinance sponsored by Ald. Anthony Napolitano seeks to regulate fowl and livestock animal ownership within city limits.
Cities as ‘Powerhouses of Evolution’
A new book on urban ecology shows how quickly wild species living in cities can adapt to their surroundings.
San Francisco's 'Green Connections Plan' Prioritizes Wildlife
An article and video by Chicago PBS station WTTW explore San Francisco's uniquely ambitious approach to sharing the city with wildlife.
How Built Environments Hyper-Activate Evolution
Welcome to a post-human era of biological evolution. Strap on your seat belts.
Welcome to the 'Age of Animals as Infrastructure'
Animals are more than just guests or co-habitants in our cities, according to an article in New Scientist—they're a critical component of the infrastructure that keeps cities running.
Landscape Architects Design Parks for Pets
Pet ownership in the U.S. continues to hit record levels, and with the increasing interest in city living the number (and variety of designs) of dog runs in city parks has increased. Designers are utilizing a dog's-eye-view to serve their clients.
Urban Noise Forces Birds to Change Their Tune
The amount of urban background noise is affecting the songs that birds sing to attract mates.
Goats Clearing Brush and Luring Crowds in L.A.
Goats being used to clear brush on a hillside in downtown Los Angeles are a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way to deal with overgrowth -- and they're attracting fans.
Post-Katrina Population Boom in New Orleans: Chickens
Stray chickens have overrun many parts of New Orleans since it was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Animal Overpasses
Highways can be deadly for animals, especially when they cut directly through habitats. A recently completed design competition sought ideas for creating animal-safe bridges over highways.
When California Mountain Lions Become City Dwellers
As urban sprawl continues to encroach on what was once expansive habitat for mountain lions, the large predators have been involved in more encounters with humans in urban settings.
Urban Sprawl and Development Threatening Biodiversity in Animals
Habitat fragmentation linked with urban sprawl and development has been shown to negatively impact biological diversity in animals, according to new research.
Friday Bummer: Dog City to Face Mass Executions
A small city outside of Bogota, Colombia, has been overrun by stray dogs. With more than 30,000 strays on the streets, the city's mayor is calling for them to be killed.
Friday Bummer: Hit-and-Run Driver Kills Commuting Cat
Casper, a cat from Plymouth, England who was frequently seen riding one of the town's bus lines, was tragically killed by a hit-and-run driver.
LEED Platinum for Dogs?
A redesign for an animal shelter in St. Louis works to make a space warmer and fuzzier than the usual pound to encourage adoption. HOK Architects, the pro bono designers, are pursuing a LEED Platinum rating for the pet palace.
Vancouver Approves Backyard Chickens
Vancouver is following the example of American cities such as Portland and Seattle in allowing backyard chicken coops.
Pagination
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.
Placer County
Skagit Transit
Berkeley County
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
M-NCPPC Prince George's County Planning Department
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service