Climate Change
Expanded Solar Capacity Means Supply Exceeds Demand for Solar in California
California is setting records for the amount of solar energy it can’t use, but this cushion might be a good thing: it means the state won’t need to depend as heavily on fossil fuels as a stopgap.
The Generational Warfare of Our Times
If action isn’t taken to address the major issues the nation faces today, younger people will be contending with a lifetime of hardship. But older generations seem mostly to be looking the other way.
Visualizing Worst-Case Scenario Sea Level Rise on the Texas Coast
Much of the state political leadership in Texas has been slow to accept the existence of climate change, much less the role of the state's economy, land use, and infrastructure planning in exacerbating the crisis. Maybe this will help wake them up?
A New Resilience Strategy for Toronto
Toronto is preparing for the worst of climate change, but also the stresses of affordability, congestion, and aging infrastructure.
Living Shorelines for Storm and Flood Protection
More coastal cities and communities are turning to the "soft" solutions of living shorelines—relying on "a combination of oyster reefs, oyster shells, rocks, marsh plants, and other natural materials can be an effective alternative to seawalls."
The Federal Agency With Surprising Power to Impact Climate Change Policy
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) flies under the radar, but it makes some of the most consequential decisions about the federal government's approach to climate change.
The Uncertain Flood Zone
Communities need accurate maps and more access to data to increase flood resilience—but right now FEMA's not providing that.
Friday Funny: The Onion Gets Weird With Climate Politics
We really didn't see this one coming.
Flooding Less of a Concern as Hurricane Memories Fade
Residents of Houston are less likely to think of flooding as a concern, or to think development should be prohibited in flood-prone areas, as in the years immediately following Hurricane Harvey.
A Surprising Place for Climate Relocation: Washington State
The city of Hamilton in Skagit County, Washington showcases another kind of community at risk from the effects of climate change and considering relocation to higher ground.
Op-Ed: FEMA Failing to Respond to Housing Displacement After Disasters
With President Trump in Florida, Diane Yentel writes about the many people there still living without shelter after Hurricane Michael last year.
Zoning Reform for Coastal Resilience in New York City
The New York City Department of City Planning has released a large set of recommendations for zoning changes designed to help the city's many coastal areas weather the inevitable extreme weather events of climate change and sea level rise.
A New Plan for Sea Level Rise in the San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay has 400 miles of shoreline, and a dire need for a new approach to dealing with the effects of rising water levels. An estimated $100 billion in potential property damage is at risk.
Unequal Distribution of Shade Is Environmental Injustice
A longread, written by Sam Boch and published by Places Journal, has been creating a stir online and is highly recommended for those with an interest in intersections between social justice and urban design.
Watch: What it Takes to Retrofit Suburbia
June Williamson explains the necessary components of the next generation of the suburban retrofitting project, and why these actions are so necessary.
For Vancouver’s Carbon Footprint Reduction Plan, 2030 is the New 2040
Four months after formally recognizing climate change as an emergency, the Vancouver City Council considers six large-scale changes to dramatically reduce city-wide carbon emissions.
Sea Level Rise Already Costing Texas Property Owners, Study Says
Ongoing research into the loss of coastal property assets has been expanded to the state of Texas.
Urban Forestry Managers Need Better Climate Change Data, Report Says
Results of a new survey suggest that there are benefits to be reaped from a focus on climate change.
NYC Targets Buildings for Massive Emissions Reduction Effort
Last week, the New York City Council approved some of the most substantial climate change legislation to date by a city in the United States—call it the local example of the Green New Deal.
The Best Kept—and Dirtiest—Secret About 5G
The infrastructure required to support 5G is going to be massive, and while improvements in throughput sound great, one of the best kept – and dirtiest – secrets about 5G is the energy consumption required to support the network.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
