Pollution

Fund Clean Energy - Stop HRL Coal Fired power station - withdraw federal grant

Report: Cutting Urban Emissions Could Save $17 Trillion

Research from the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate recommends an emissions reduction program that might pay off big in the long term. Inter-city exchange and transit planning are key strategies.

November 10, 2015 - Urban Land Magazine

London Air Pollution

Does a Surprising Rise in Pollution Mean a Return of London's Pea-Soup Fog?

London Mayor Boris Johnson has tabled strict air-pollution controls until 2020 despite evidence of increasing pollution levels in the city's center.

November 10, 2015 - The New York Times

Environmental Justice

The EPA's Lackluster Environmental Justice Record

The Center for Public Integrity has released a report criticizing the EPA's environmental justice competence. In only 12 cases has the agency taken official action on behalf of communities affected disproportionately by polluters.

August 20, 2015 - Next City

Seattle to Rely on Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray has released a draft plan to overhaul the city's stormwater infrastructure to reduce the pollution levels in Puget Sound.

August 4, 2015 - WaterWorld

Beg Button

The Case Against Jaywalking Laws, Part 2

Laws designed to keep pedestrians off streets are not merely useless, but create a variety of social harms.

July 1, 2015 - Michael Lewyn

Coal Ash Waste

North Carolina County Reluctantly Accepts Toxic Coal Ash Stockpile for $19 Million

Chatham County, North Carolina agreed to not oppose a planned coal ash landfill in exchange for $19 Million from Duke Energy, which would help fund environmental monitoring and disaster insurance.

June 20, 2015 - The Raleigh News & Observer

Mapping the Ongoing Challenges of Environmental Justice

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a new tool to visualize the ongoing realties of environmental justice in cities around the country.

June 18, 2015 - Fusion

American Lung Association Releases Annual 'State of the Air' Report

The 16th annual State of the Air report includes everyone's favorite tool for putting the achievements of cities and metropolitan areas in perspective: rankings.

April 30, 2015 - American Lung Association

Study Maps the Spatial Patterns of U.S. Environmental Injustice

A new study by researchers from the University of Minnesota presents a sweeping portrait of trends in exposure to nitrogen dioxide across the United States.

April 18, 2014 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

The World's Most Polluted Places

The Blacksmith Institute and Green Cross Switzerland recently released a list of places you definitely don't want to find yourself near: The World's Most Polluted Places.

December 11, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Mapping New York's Toxic Legacy

In bright blues, greens, and reds, an interactive map developed by property information website Property Shark documents New York City's cornucopia of polluted properties. Check the map to see if you might be living next door to a leaking oil tank.

November 23, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Coming to a Backyard Near You: "Unprecedented Industrialization"

Across the United States, more than 15.3 million residents have become neighbors to a new gas or oil well since 2000. The fracking-based energy boom is bringing "unprecedented industrialization" to backyards throughout the U.S.

October 29, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

'Toxic Tour' Brings Visitors Face-to-Face With L.A.'s Landmarks of Pollution

A 'toxic tour' of Los Angeles raises awareness of the harmful effects the city's industrial infrastructure brings to adjacent, often minority, communities. Stops include a battery recycling plant, rendering plant, oil refinery, and scrap yards.

July 29, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Environmental and Transportation Challenges Await New L.A. Mayor

Whoever is victorious in today's election to choose L.A.'s next mayor, the celebrating may be short lived. Pressing needs to strengthen the city's water supply, maintain transit momentum, and relieve toxic hotspots await the city's next leader.

May 21, 2013 - KPCC

Clash of Interests Holds Back China's Environmental Efforts

Pollution is a growing problem throughout China - one that even tight-lipped public officials have been forced to acknowledge. But conflicting government interests - between state-run polluters and concerned policy-makers - are holding back fixes.

March 23, 2013 - The New York Times

Growing Pains Cloud New Delhi's Future

Delhi’s unpleasant pollution predicament, and its ensuing health consequences, are causing environmentalists, doctors and local officials to grow increasingly alarmed.

January 1, 2013 - The New York Times

How Swiftly Could Romney Gut Federal Environmental Protections?

John M. Broder looks at the obstacles that stand in the way of Mitt Romney's campaign pledge to “take a weed whacker” to a variety of federal pollution and public health rules.

October 9, 2012 - The New York Times

Are Efforts to Improve the Livability of China's Cities Hurting the Country's Economy?

As China continues to mature into a developed nation, efforts aimed at making its largest cities more environmentally sustainable and healthy may be putting a damper on the country's economic growth.

September 7, 2012 - The New York Times

Green Streets: Even Better Than Advertised

According to a new research study out of the UK, green streets are much more effective at cutting pollution than previously thought.

August 16, 2012 - THE DIRT

Chinese Cities are Huge, But What's it Like to Live There?

We get it, China's cities are big and getting bigger. But what's it like to live there? Isaac Stone Fish takes a closer look at the quality of life in Chinese cities, and finds them almost uniformly monolithic and unlivable.

August 15, 2012 - Foreign Policy

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.