Public Health

Mycena stipata, commonly known as clustered pine bonnet, mushroom from Finland growing out of the end of a log.

Bioremediation for Environmental Justice

Bioremediation uses plants, fungi, and microbes to clean up polluted land in place, offering a nature-based option for restoring contaminated sites in overburdened communities.

May 26, 2025 - Progressive City

Abandoned industrial factory site.

Wisconsin Awarded $12 Million for Brownfield Redevelopment Amid Broader EPA Budget Cuts

The EPA provided the funding to Wisconsin for brownfield cleanups in cities like Milwaukee and Racine, even as broader agency budget cuts under the Trump administration raise concerns about future environmental protection capacity.

May 19, 2025 - Urban Milwaukee

Close-up of dirty pipe at oil drilling operation.

Mapping Groundwater Risks from Orphan Wells Across U.S. Aquifers

A new USGS study reveals that more than half of the nation’s documented orphan wells lie within aquifers supplying the vast majority of U.S. groundwater, posing widespread risks of contamination from aging, unplugged infrastructure.

May 12, 2025 - EcoWatch

Mobile home park at dusk.

Poor Conditions in Mobile Home Parks Put Residents at Risk

Failing infrastructure, poor water and air quality, and predatory owners endanger the health of manufactured home residents, many of whom are elderly and low-income.

May 11, 2025 - Next City

Colorful sunset view over Chattahoochee River in Georgia.

Comment: EPA Cuts will Send Atlanta Back to Eye-burning Ozone, Lung-damaging Smog, and Raw Sewage in the Chattahoochee River

A veteran political journalist takes stock of the hard-earned ground Georgia stands to lose with slashed environmental protection.

April 14, 2025 - Georgia Recorder

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Oil well on hilltop in Los Angeles with city neighborhoods in background.

Tracking the Invisible: Methane Leaks From LA’s Neighborhood Oil Sites

Environmental advocates are using infrared technology to monitor and document methane leaks from neighborhood oil sites, filling regulatory gaps and pushing for stronger protections to safeguard community health and the climate.

April 7, 2025 - LAist

Blue and white Amazon trucks parked at loading docks at warehouse.

Poorest NYC Neighborhoods Pay Price for Delivery Boom

The rise of ‘last-mile’ e-commerce warehouses — and their attendant truck traffic and air pollution — is disproportionately impacting the most historically disadvantaged parts of the city.

April 3, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

School District of Philadelphia building with large silver title lettering and taller buildings visible in background.

Concrete to Community: A Schoolyard Makeover in West Philly

With guidance from the Trust for Public Land, third graders at Overbrook Elementary are leading the redesign of their asphalt schoolyard into a vibrant green space, learning valuable skills and creating lasting community impact in the process.

March 31, 2025 - WHYY

Brick buildings on small town street with red awnings on first floor businesses.

Research: Walkability Linked to Improved Public Health

A study reveals that the density of city blocks is a significant factor in communities’ walkability and, subsequently, improved public health outcomes for residents.

March 26, 2025 - Great Lakes Echo

Group of people being led in yoga by two instructors on large public lawn.

The Panacea of Outdoor Human Movement

Humans relish in over-complicating things, but the sweetest and healthiest things in life are the simplest.

March 20, 2025 - April Economides

Burned car and home in Los Angeles after 2019 wildfire.

The Unseen Aftermath: Wildfires’ Lasting Health and Emotional Burden

Wildfires in Los Angeles not only pose immediate physical health risks but also lead to long-term respiratory problems and mental health struggles, underscoring the need for a coordinated public health response to mitigate their lasting effects.

March 16, 2025 - UCLA Health

Public space with seating and 'The Gathering Place' metal sign on gateway arch in Erwin, TN.

Report: The State of Public Spaces

A 50-year-old institution takes stock of placemaking in the public realm today.

March 13, 2025 - Project For Public Spaces

Older man and woman walking down sidewalk landscaped with bougainvillas next to a brick wall on a sunny day.

Study: Walkability Can Help Reduce Dementia Risk

Walkable neighborhoods offer natural opportunities to stay active and engaged with friends and neighbors, increasing residents’ chances of remaining mentally and physically healthy longer.

March 11, 2025 - CNU Public Square

Close-up of wrist with smart watch and other hand reaching for display.

Take a Walk: Why Step Count Is the Most Valuable Fitness Metric

Step count remains the most valuable fitness metric for longevity and well-being, offering a simple yet powerful way to track daily movement, reduce health risks, and promote active lifestyles without reliance on complex data or technology.

March 11, 2025 - WebMD

Close-up of green ULEZ sign in London, UK.

Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution

Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.

March 10, 2025 - Smart Cities World

Close-up of thin trunks of young trees in pots ready to be planted.

Forest Service Rescinds Tree Planting Grants

The $75 million program fell victim to the federal government’s purge of ‘DEI’-related projects.

March 5, 2025 - Fast Company

Aerial view of Broadway Street of Philipsburg, Montana, Philipsburg is a town in and the county seat of Granite County, Montana, United States.

Study: Urban US Residents Have Higher Life Expectancy Than Rural Americans

A combination of economic and social factors leads to higher rates of disease and reduced access to healthcare for many rural residents.

February 27, 2025 - The Conversation

Aerial view of dense historic urban area of Bradford, United Kingdom.

Clean Air Zone Nets Health Authority Over £30K per Month

A new study links the zone to a 25 percent drop in GP visits for lung and heart conditions in its first year alone.

February 20, 2025 - The Guardian

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.

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

Senior Planner

Eagle County Government

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.