Arizona
Arizona Tightens Groundwater Restrictions to Rein in Agribusinesses
The state is creating an ‘active management area’ in the western part of the state, where agribusinesses including a Saudi alfalfa exporter have practically free rein over water supplies.
Arizona Court Rejects Local Control Over Short-Term Rentals
A judge upheld a 2017 law that prohibits local jurisdictions from limiting Airbnbs and other short-term rentals.
Shrinking Colorado River Aquifers Make up 65% of the Basin’s Water Loss
Satellite data reveals that the Colorado River’s groundwater has decreased dramatically since the start of the century.
Kansas and Arizona Senators Unite in Bipartisan bid to Boost Public Transit Funding for Small Cities
Senators Gallego and Moran propose increasing funding to a program serving cities with populations of 50,000 to 200,000 that are “among the most effective and efficient in the nation.”
Arizona Explores Desalination and “Water Swap” with Mexico as Dwindling Water Supply Grows Dire
As the Colorado River shrinks and the river states remain deadlocked in negotiation, Arizona is reaching for ever more drastic strategies to ensure its future water supply.
Tesla Approved to Operate Uber-like Service in Arizona
State regulators approved a permit for a ride-hailing service, but a permit for driverless taxis is still pending.
Tempe, Arizona Approves 400 Units of Affordable Housing, Grocery Store Near Light Rail
The mixed-use development will bring a grocery store to an area known as a food desert.
Arizona Plans ‘Game-Changing’ Water System Overhaul
A planned interconnection facility will allow water to flow both ways between the Central Arizona Project and the Salt River Project.
Arizona is Desperate to Develop Housing in the Desert. This Town Has it Figured Out
An experiment in ‘arcology’ begun in the 1970s offers lessons in passive architecture that works with, rather than against, harsh climates.
Arizona Overrides Moratorium Imposed due to Water Crisis, Approves up to 60K New Homes
A newly created legal process allows development to proceed if builders agree to bring in renewable water sources and reduce their groundwater use by 25%.
Nearly Half a Million New Arizona Homes Halted Due to Water Crisis
The Arizona Department of Water Resources has put a moratorium on new water supply permits, making the future of planned residential developments uncertain.
What Happens When a Robotaxi Gets Pulled Over?
In Phoenix, a police officer who pulled over a Waymo driving in the wrong lane was “unable to issue citation to computer.”
Phoenix Light Rail Extension Opens
The South Central line extends 5.5 miles of rail into South Phoenix neighborhoods, bringing the city’s total light rail network to 35 miles.
Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension
The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.
Phoenix Facilitates School-to-Affordable Housing Development
Two Phoenix school districts are selling their underused properties to build over 200 units of affordable housing.
Culdesac Tempe Defies Expectations
Despite initial skepticism about its true potential for sustainable urbanism, the built-from-scratch “car-free neighborhood” is widely popular with its residents.
Urban Forest Initiative Launched in Phoenix to Combat Extreme Heat
Arizona State University's $5 million Greater Phoenix Urban Forestry Accelerator aims to combat record-breaking heat, improve shade coverage, and create green job pathways in underserved neighborhoods.
Phoenix Shade Plan Focuses on Bus Stops
The city’s updated Shade Master Plan calls for trees and built structures at bus stops to protect residents from heat.
Cities Prioritize Urban Reforestation to Combat Heat and Revitalize Communities
Cities like Phoenix, Chicago, and Boise are prioritizing urban reforestation as critical green infrastructure to combat extreme heat, address environmental inequities, and foster community revitalization.
Plugging the Gap: Taxpayers Shoulder the Burden of Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells
Taxpayers, federal agencies, and tribal governments are working to address Arizona's orphaned oil and gas wells, which pose environmental and health risks, while advocates call for greater accountability from oil and gas companies.
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 Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
