Greenwashing

Environmental Groups Win Court Battle Against the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan
A court ruling invalidated one of the most innovative comprehensive plans in recent memory, and now the city of Minneapolis must revert to its previous comprehensive plan.

Sustainable Real Estate Investments Are No Longer Optional
Greenwashing won't cut it anymore, and investors are increasingly demanding that all real estate developments and existing assets be assessed in the most holistic way possible.

Investigation Reveals the Failures of 'Clean Coal'
As the federal government sends massive subsidies to encourage so-called clean coal technology, coal-burning power plants aren't sending less pollution into the air and into the earth.

Ford Motor Company Touts Carbon Reductions
Ford hit a goal to reduce carbon emissions *from its manufacturing process* eight years ahead of schedule.

Cities Turn to Highway Cap Parks for Economic Development
Some worry that, of the many reasons cities pursue cap parks, creating quality green space is low on the list.

Op-Ed: Obama's Weak Climate Change Legacy
David Bookbinder argues that the Obama Administration dragged its feet on climate change, only implementing last-minute actions that will be easy to reverse.
Greenwashing May Actually Be Having An Impact
Critics have decried green labeling and certification programs as 'greenwashing' - offering the sheen of environmental responsibility without having a significant impact on sustainability. But Tensie Whelan argues such programs are having an impact.
An 'Earth Friendly' Parking Garage in Chicago Begs the Question: What is 'Green'?
With wind turbines, a "daylighting" system, and charging stations for electric cars, Chicago's Greenway Self-Park bills itself as the city's first "earth friendly parking garage." John Greenfield asks, can a downtown garage truly be eco-friendly?
What is Gained When Sprawl Goes For Green Credentials?
Angie Schmitt looks at the greenwash being applied to new sprawl developments in Ohio, Indiana, and Texas as developers market to consumer preferences for more walkable urban environments.
A Green Mega Mansion?
Approved plans for a 10,000 square foot mansion in Berkeley, California have been classified "green" by the city's environmental rating system. Neighbors and environmentalists, however, say the house is hardly an environmental model.
Starchitecture and Sustainability: Hope, Creativity, and Futility Collide in Contemporary Architecture
Can today's contemporary architects, schooled in modernism and invention, in fact incorporate the sort of green building materials and techniques that make a real difference? And does design really matter? Josh Stephens takes a look.
Taking Cities Beyond the Greenwash
The idea of sustainability is growing up, and as concerns about the environment take hold in cities from the bottom up, some are calling for a more sophisticated approach to "green" city development, write Anthony Flint and William Shutkin.
Clean Coal Campaign Awarded A 'Falsie'
The Center for Media and Democracy annually hands out its 'Falsies Awards' to the most blatantly deceptive publicity campaigns. Third place for 2008 is the 'clean coal' campaign, which they say greenwashes the truth.
300% More Oxygen: The Guardian Examines Greenwashing
In a new weekly column, Fred Pearce of The Guardian examines corporate and municipal claims to sustainability.
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.
City of Brookings
City of White Salmon
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
M-NCPPC Prince George's County Planning Department
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service