Public Health

How Does Air Quality in a Philly Subway Station Compare to the Outdoors?
A team of researchers found much higher levels of particulate matter inside the City Hall subway station than on the street-level sidewalks directly above the station.

Intense October Heat Wave Raises Fire Risk in California
Unusually high temperatures across the state are prompting power shutoffs and could fuel more destructive wildfires.

Study: Fracking Chemical Disclosures Prompt More Cautious Behavior
Because toxic chemicals used in fracking can contaminate local water supplies, residents in states that require companies to disclose their materials are more likely to increase their bottled water consumption.

Study: Building Pollution Contributing to Poor Air Quality in NYC
Pollutants from methane, propane, and fuel oil are on the rise, leading to a growing public health crisis.

Governor Newsom Signs Bills to Restrict Oil and Gas Operations Near Communities
The signed legislation grants local communities more authority to restrict oil and gas operations near sensitive areas and address the environmental risks of idle wells, while also ensuring the permanent shutdown of low-production wells.

London Low-Emissions Zone Prompts Shift to Active Modes
More children are using active transportation modes to get to school in the wake of a policy that charges drivers to enter a low-emissions zone in central London.

Study: Heat Deaths on the Rise, Predicted to Increase
As intense heat waves become more common, the risk of heat-related deaths is rising.

Judge Sides With Oil Companies Over LA Drilling Ban
The decision invalidates a law that would have eliminated oil drilling in the city over the next 20 years. A proposed state law could still let cities regulate extraction.

Rising Heat Threatens Growing California Cities
Many rapidly growing inland California cities are facing increased extreme heat days due to climate change, putting more residents at risk of health issues and overwhelming local infrastructure.

High Ozone Levels Threaten New Mexico Oil Town
The small community of Loving, New Mexico has higher ozone levels than dense cities like Los Angeles.

Valuing Ounces of Prevention
Planning decisions often involve trade-offs between short-term prevention costs and larger future savings and benefits. Planners can help communities determine what best reflects their priorities.

Maryland Assistance Program Links Housing and Healthcare
The state will begin funding an existing program that targets the healthcare needs of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Even in ‘Food Deserts,’ Independent Grocers Struggle to Survive
Government support has helped open stores in underserved communities, but cost and scale make it difficult for small businesses to survive long-term.

SoCal City Bans Smoking on Multifamily Properties
The law prohibits smoking tobacco or cannabis in both indoor and outdoor spaces, prompting backlash from residents.

Mobility as a Social Determinant of Health
A public health expert calls on transportation planners to ensure all residents have access to reliable transportation.

Protecting Vulnerable Older Adults From Extreme Heat
People over 65 are at particular risk during heat waves and other climate disasters.

Heat-Related ER Visits Soar in Florida
The state has the most heat-related hospital visits in the nation, but efforts to create protections for outdoor workers and other vulnerable residents have been stymied by state legislators.
A Place to Recover from Illness: How Medical Respite Programs Help Unhoused People Heal
For people experiencing homelessness, recuperating after a hospitalization is difficult. Medical respite programs can help. Why aren't they more common?

Thousands of NYC Shelter Residents Lack Air Conditioning
Even in the depths of extreme heat, many shelters prohibit residents from installing AC units.

Deadly Contact Burns Rising in the Southwest
As heat waves become more frequent and severe, hospitals are seeing more patients admitted with serious, sometimes life-threatening burns from asphalt and other outdoor surfaces.
Pagination
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
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Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions