Sustainability

How Los Angeles County is Advancing Sustainability
A recently released report by the Chief Sustainability Office (CSO) shows that L.A. County is making progress on meeting the goals of the OurCounty Sustainability Plan.

America’s 10 ‘Greenest’ Cities
A new analysis ranks cities based on their environmental quality, energy consumption and production, transportation, density, and other factors.

Book Review: Combining Sustainability and Smart Growth
A review of The Sustainable Urban Design Handbook, by architects Nico Larco and Kaarin Knudson.

Western Conservationists, Tribes File Legal Motion to Defend Public Lands Rule
Some states and industry groups have sued to stop the Bureau of Land Management from enforcing the new rule, which promotes the conservation and restoration of public lands and shifts focus away from extractive uses.

Annual LA River CleanUp Invites Residents to Protect Local Ecosystems
The Friends of the Los Angeles River will host its 34th Annual LA River CleanUp on October 5, inviting residents to help beautify the river, prevent litter from reaching the ocean, and promote equitable access to green spaces.

Honolulu Has a New Chief Resilience Officer
Mayor Rick Blangiardi has appointed Ben Sullivan as executive director and chief resilience officer for the Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency.

Fourth Ward Project Aims for Sustainability on Atlanta's Beltline
A new megaproject hopes to bring new life to a former industrial site.

Designing Cooler Cities: Lessons from Ancient Civilizations
Ancient Rome had ways to counter the urban heat island effect. As climate change raises global temperatures, can urban planners and designers apply any of those lessons to cities today?

US Department of Energy Announces 10 New Climate Resilience Centers
The Biden administration has awarded $10 million for an additional 10 climate resilience centers as part of the Justice40 Initiative.

MassDOT’s ‘Beyond Mobility’ Plan Centers Resilient Transportation
The 25-year plan addresses the state’s transportation infrastructure, sustainability, and equity.

What Makes Affordable Housing Green?
There's no one way to determine what makes “green” housing. Here's a breakdown of the standards and considerations used by the affordable housing industry.

Advancing Sustainability and Resilience Through Parks
The Urban Land Institute offers fact sheets describing five innovative ways that parks can reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate threats while advancing health, equity, and quality of life in urban areas.

20 States Best and Least Prepared for Climate Change and Extreme Weather
A new study from CNBC ranks US states in order of sustainability and preparedness for climate change and extreme weather. A few might surprise you.

Eugene Explores New Decarbonization Strategies
The city is considering new decarbonization strategies, including carbon impact fees and educational programs, after the failure of a natural gas ban due to a federal court ruling.

Applying the New Traffic Safety Paradigm
The new traffic safety paradigm recognizes exposure — total vehicle travel — as a risk factor, and therefore the additional casualties caused by planning decisions that induce more driving, and the safety benefits of VMT reductions.

New TV Series Highlights Sustainable Aquaculture
Hope in the Water explores the groundbreaking work of dedicated fishers, aqua farmers, and scientists who are seeking to harvest aquatic species to feed our growing population while protecting the oceans.

California is Updating its Climate Adaptation Strategy
The 2024 draft plan outlines the state's key climate resilience priorities, includes specific and measurable actions, and serves as a framework for collective efforts across sectors and regions in California.

Celebrating World Environment Day
Commemorate the 51st World Environment Day with this curated list of Planetizen articles highlighting research and projects that promote a healthier, more sustainable world.

What Does Sustainability Mean in Space?
NASA is developing a sustainability strategy to clean up space debris and plan for the future as near-earth orbit becomes more cluttered.

New Documentary Highlights Regenerative Agriculture and Climate Change
Common Ground is a recently released documentary which urges viewers to rethink our relationship with soil and approach to agriculture and food production.
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.
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)