Water Quality
After the Drought, San Diego Faces Lead and Sewage
In 2017, the Southern California city no longer had to be concerned about water quantity, but was plagued by issues of water quality.
Water-Smart Green Infrastructure: The Private Sector Steps Up
A new Urban Land Institute Report details the increasing implementation of citywide green infrastructure networks, including investments on both public and privately owned sites.
Summer Is Here—and So Are 'Smart Beaches'
A group of "citizen data scientists" produced a predictive analytic model that offers citizens better information about water quality on beaches along Lake Michigan in Chicago.
Report: San Francisco's City Parks Worth $959 Million
The Trust for Public Land’s Center for City Park Excellence released a report placing the value of San Francisco's park system at $959 million.
The Urban Water Blueprint Extends Well Beyond the City
A new project by the Nature Conservancy maps the impact of natural infrastructure—often found well outside the city limits—on urban water supplies.
The Rising Costs of Water Quality
The pressures on water supply are growing at the same time that water quality is becoming more expensive and more difficult to maintain. A recent article examines the challenges in the farm state of Nebraska.
Healing Rivers By (Voluntarily) Limiting Development
A voluntary program of incentives for land owners along the two rivers in Oregon, the Mckenzie River east of Eugene and the Rogue River near Medford, provides incentives for maintaining natural conditions along the river bed.
Pristine Lake George to be Made a 'Smart Lake' to Monitor Climate Change
New York’s Lake George will soon be wired to more monitoring technology than any other body of water in the world.
Most U.S. Rivers Are Polluted, and Getting Worse
A new study conducted by the EPA shows that 55 percent of the nation's rivers are in "poor" condition, and only 21 percent are rated as "good" and "healthy biological communities." Farm and industrial pollution are to blame.
Haiti Update: Reshaping Ravines
Haiti has seen improvements since the 2010 earthquake. However, persistent challenges remain. Dave Hampton, architect and international development consultant for natural and built environment integration, writes about one in particular: ravines.
Oil Spill in Michigan Still Affecting Town Two Years Later
Matt Pearce reports on the town of Marshall's road to recovery after a 2010 oil spill damaged the area's human and natural ecosystems, and describes how these long-term impacts should serve as a warning to other communities.
Testing Our Nation’s Beaches
A new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council ranks the cleanest and dirtiest beaches in the U.S. Jessica Camille Aguirre gives an overview of the group’s findings and discovers a less than significant improvement in overall water quality.
Coachella Valley: One of the Poorest, Densest Areas in the U.S.
Coachella Valley is home to agriculture, music festivals, and impoverished residents living in shanty mobile homes. Drinkable water, reliable electricity, basic sanitation, and clean air are scarce, says California Watch.
Public Showers Improve Health
The village of Shamen, China lacks running water, and scarcity has created a lack of awareness of water health issues. A complex new bathhouse aims to curb health problems and create a gathering place in the process.
Water Infrastructure Questions Linger in California
Prop. 18, the financial centerpiece of legislation meant to overhaul California's aging water supply infrastructure, was removed from the statewide ballot slated for November.
Aging Wastewater Systems Threatening Water Supplies
Aging sewage systems in municipalities across the country are falling into disrepair, resulting in massive leaks and spills that threaten drinking water and public health.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
