Environmental Protection

Wooden boardwalk through yellowed grass field with tall granite cliffs and waterfall in background in Yosemite National Park, California.

New Law Makes California's 30x30 Goal Official

Governor Newsom just signed SB 337, codifying the state's goal to conserve at least 30 percent of California's lands and coastal waters by the year 2030.

October 10, 2023 - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

Aerial view of Eel River running through California forest

The Nation’s Most Endangered Rivers

An annual list from American Rivers highlights the waterways most at risk from climate change, poor water management, pollution, and other dangers.

April 19, 2023 - American Rivers

View of red rock spires and formations in Bears Ears National Monument, Utah

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.

November 28, 2022 - The Washington Post

"You are entering Jackson's downtown historic district" brown sign

What Is an Overlay District?

A zoning overlay district superimposes an additional set of regulations over an existing zoning district, or multiple zoning districts.

June 15, 2022 - Diana Ionescu

Florida Everglades

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.

February 14, 2022 - Inside Climate News

Ventura County

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.

October 13, 2021 - James Brasuell

Coast Stream

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.

September 5, 2021 - The Washington Post

Los Angeles Sunset

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.

July 21, 2021 - UCLA Newsroom

Power plant and residential neighborhood

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.

February 7, 2021 - The Washington Post

Madison RIver

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.

November 4, 2020 - Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Downtown Phoenix Skyline

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.

December 20, 2019 - Phoenix New Times

Tallgrass Prairie

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.

September 4, 2019 - Streetsblog USA

Hudson Yards Towers

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.

June 29, 2019 - Crain's Business New York

Cleveland, Ohio

The Cuyahoga River Once Caught Fire, Now its Fish Are Safe to Eat

An environmental success story from Ohio.

March 23, 2019 - PhysOrg

Maumee River, 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.

February 27, 2019 - Toledo Blade

Washington

$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.

February 25, 2019 - The Urbanist

Maumee River

Voters to Decide the Legal Status of Lake Erie

Voters in Toledo, Ohio could grant personhood status to the polluted and abused Lake Erie.

February 22, 2019 - The Guardian

Orca in Washington

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.

January 4, 2019 - Crosscut

Ontario, Canada

Ontario May Strip Protections from Toronto Greenbelt

A proposed bill would open nearly 2 million acres of protected land to commercial and industrial development.

January 4, 2019 - TVO

Ryan Zinke

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.

December 31, 2018 - Vox

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

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The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.