Pollution
Economic Benefits of Urban Creek Cleaning
Restorationists and environmentalists are placing their focus on urban streams and creeks, which struggle with urban pollution. Working to clean them up is turning out to be a good way to create jobs and stimulate the local economy.
Congestion, Pollution and Freeways
A common argument in favor of building sprawl-generating roads and highways is that if we just pave over enough of the United States, we can actually reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by reducing congestion. For example, a Reason Foundation press release cited a report by two University of California/Riverside engineering professors, “Real-World CO2 Impact of Traffic Congestion” (available online at http://www.cert.ucr.edu/research/pubs/TRB-08-2860-revised.pdf ). But if you read the report carefully, its policy impact is a bit more ambiguous.
Beijing's Olympic Pollution Efforts Fall Short
Despite efforts to clean up Beijing during last year's Olympic Games, pollutant reductions were very minor, according to a new report.
Studying the Health Effects of Living Near Freeways
Researchers are teaming up with Boston community members to study how living close to freeways can be harmful to residents' health.
Beijing Extends Car Restrictions
A slightly watered-down version of the traffic reduction methods the Chinese city of Beijing instituted in Summer 2008 to reduce congestion and pollution during the Olympics has been extended for another year.
China Starts to Lean Green
Environmental issues are becoming a growing concern in China, and officials there seem ready to begin addressing them.
Rich Waste, Poor Waste
This piece from The Economist looks at human-caused waste, how different economies generate it differently, and how they deal with it.
EPA Failing to Control Urban Runoff
The Environmental Protection Agency has not done enough to control pollution from stormwater runoff in urban areas, according to a report from the National Academy of Sciences.
Beijing's Temporary Clean Air Policies May Stick
With some of the its cleanest air in decades, Beijing is warming up to some of the pollution-cutting regulations officials have enacted during the Olympics. Some may become permanent.
China Says Car Bans Will Stop After Olympics
Despite improved air quality, China says it has no plans to continue the car control measures it has enacted during the Olympics to clean the city's air.
EPA Criticizes Oregon Bridge Planners for Ignoring Sprawl
Federal regulators have criticized planners of a bridge expansion for not considering how the new bridge would induce sprawl and increase pollution.
Most Polluted Cities
This slideshow from Popular Science looks at some of the most heavily polluted cities in the world.
Environmental Groups Warm to Trains
Railroads are overcoming decades of resistance from environmentalists by touting their greener aspects.
Solving Civic Problems in a Post-Fact Society
How does a rapidly changing news media affect big city planning? Badly, according to this post from Next American City.
The Dirty 25
Forbes looks at the world's 25 most polluted cities, and concludes that governments and industries need to realize how cost-effective pollution remediation is.
Developing Cities Face Major Growth, Pollution Issues
The mega cities of the developing world are expected to experience increasing rates of growth in the coming decades. The growth in population will be a challenge, but so will be dealing with the increase in air pollution.
Beyond CO2
It’s great that global warming is finally getting its day in the media spotlight. But with all the buzz about carbon footprints and carbon offsets, I wonder whether the average American now believes that carbon dioxide is the only pollutant that we need to worry about?
Smart Growth, Bad Air
Locating residential development closer to city centers comes with a price: increased exposure to air pollutants.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
