Environmental Protection
How President Biden Can Act To Protect Environmental and Cultural Sites
A new report highlights the mechanisms the President and his Cabinet could use to protect U.S. land and water resources without going through Congress.
What Is an Overlay District?
A zoning overlay district superimposes an additional set of regulations over an existing zoning district, or multiple zoning districts.
Everglades Restoration To Receive $1.1 Billion in Federal Funds
An 'unprecedented' investment of more than one billion dollars will go toward efforts to restore and conserve the fragile and troubled South Florida ecosystem.
What Is an Urban Growth Boundary?
Some cities and regions limit the growth of sprawl by setting an urban growth boundary—a strict geographic limit on where real estate development can occur.
Judge Tosses Trump Administration's Rollback of 'Waters of the United States' Protections
The Trump administration's Navigable Waters Protection Rule was sloppy, and it would have done "serious environmental harm," according to a recent court ruling.
Los Angeles County Gets a C+ on Sustainability Report Card
UCLA released a report about how land use, biodiversity, and looming environmental threats affect the health and well-being of Los Angeles County residents.
Biden's Climate Plan Centers Environmental Justice
The Biden administration's climate plan calls for sweeping reform in the country's energy policy and places new focus on addressing racial and economic disparities.
Bill Would Double Protections for Montana Rivers
The Montana Headwaters Legacy Act would double the number of wild and scenic rivers in the state of Montana.
Arizona Environmental Agency Cutbacks Significant, Says Report
A new report says funding and staffing cuts at the state’s environmental protection agency could prevent it from adequately protecting public health and the environment.
Texas Roadway a Threat to Prairie Preserve, Say Environmentalists
Part of the Houston-area Grand Parkway would pass through a tallgrass prairie reserve, and opponents say it would destroy the grasslands and bird habitat.
New York City Agencies Gain Design-Build Authority
Agencies in the city of New York needed to state clearance to win design-build authority. Mayor Bill de Blasio hopes the change will allow more efficient development of capital projects.
The Cuyahoga River Once Caught Fire, Now its Fish Are Safe to Eat
An environmental success story from Ohio.
Lake Erie Granted Legal Rights by Voters
Toledo, Ohio held a special election for voters to decide on the Lake Erie Bill of Rights.
$738 Million Parks Levy on the Ballot for Seattle Area Voters
King County, Washington voters will vote on a parks levy reauthorization in August—at stake is $738 million over the six years to fund improvements to the Seattle area's parks, trails, and open space.
Voters to Decide the Legal Status of Lake Erie
Voters in Toledo, Ohio could grant personhood status to the polluted and abused Lake Erie.
Washington State Budget Makes Puget Sound Orcas a Priority
Southern Resident orca numbers are distressingly low. The proposed budget would fund a number of measures to help the whales.
Ontario May Strip Protections from Toronto Greenbelt
A proposed bill would open nearly 2 million acres of protected land to commercial and industrial development.
A Look Back on What Ryan Zinke Is Leaving Behind
Zinke’s tenure at the Interior Department was not lengthy, but the damage he inflicted will be long-lasting.
Utah's Campaign to Deregulate Public Lands
Newly obtained documents reveal the extent of the state's efforts to strip protections from federal lands around the United States.
Proposed State-Level Wetlands Regulations in California: Protections and Complications
The state is seeking to protect wetlands from federal regulation rollbacks, but broader protections could also mean more costly and cumbersome processes.
City of Malibu
Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
Strategic Economics Inc
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Spearfish
City of Lomita
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.
