New Mexico

Water SUpply

Las Vegas' Growth Tied to its Dwindling Water Supply

Las Vegas has almost maximized its growth potential given projects for its future water supply—something has to give.

April 4, 2019 - Las Vegas Review-Journal

New mexico Power

New Mexico Legislation Charts Path Away From Coal, But It Won't Be Easy

The Energy Transition Act passed the New Mexico state House on March 12 and heads to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, the state's new Democratic governor who supports clean energy, but losing a coal plant early causes far-reaching economic impacts.

March 19, 2019 - Santa Fe New Mexican

Sangre de Cristo Mountains

A Direct Line From Forest Management to Water Supply

Urban water suppliers have had to learn quickly that fire ecology is a major concern in maintaining a secure water supply system.

March 15, 2019 - Yale Environment 360

Polar Vortex

When Red States Turn Blue

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has followed the path laid by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker in joining the U.S. Climate Alliance. All three are new Democratic governors replacing Republican predecessors.

February 7, 2019 - InsideClimate News

State Line

The Oil Production Boom in New Mexico Could Mean More Money for Roads

With an "unprecedented" amount of money coming in from booming oil production, New Mexico legislators are considering how to spend the extra money.

January 30, 2019 - Albuquerque Journal

pallets of green oil barrels stacked

U.S. Becomes Net Oil Exporter, If Only Briefly

Oil independence, a goal set by President Nixon in the depth of the 1973 energy embargo, was achieved in the last week of November thanks to a fluke in record keeping as well as an "unprecedented boom in American oil production."

December 27, 2018 - Bloomberg News

Solar Panel on a Wind Turbine

Energy Issues at Stake in New Mexico Land Commission Election

Unlike energy issues that will appear in the form of ballot initiatives on Tuesday in three western states, voters in New Mexico will cast their energy vote in their choice for state land commissioner, an arcane position with considerable authority.

November 4, 2018 - NPR

Bus Rapid Transit Route map

The Feds Finally Come Through for Albuquerque Rapid Transit

The city of Albuquerque has finally received the $75 million it needed to complete an ambitious plan for electric bus rapid transit along Central Avenue.

August 24, 2018 - KOB4

Southwest Chief

Amtrak Could End Service on Big Stretch of the Southwest Chief

Congress and presidents have threatened Amtrak service on the Southwest Chief, connecting Los Angles to Chicago, in the past. This time the threat is coming from inside Amtrak.

June 27, 2018 - The Kansan

Fire Escape

10 U.S. Cities Launch Anti-Displacement Network

More than half of American tenants are rent-burdened, putting them at risk of displacement. A national collaboration with PolicyLink hopes to help.

April 22, 2018 - Curbed

Fence

New Mexico Made Streams and Rivers Private Property

And now those property owners are putting barbed wire over the river to keep out "trespassers."

March 17, 2018 - The Guardian

One Native American Family, Two Housing Crises

In Oakland, California and Torreon, New Mexico, Julian Brave NoiseCat reports that "[f]or Indigenous people, the crisis of the home is intergenerational."

February 8, 2018 - High Country News

Wall Prototypes

Homeland Security Waives More Than 30 Laws to Expedite Border Wall

In the drive to begin construction in New Mexico, the Trump Administration has bypassed dozens of federal environmental regulations.

February 2, 2018 - The Architect's Newspaper

Nominate the 'Best Urban Street Transformation' of 2017

Streetsblog USA is seeking nominations.

December 16, 2017 - Streetsblog USA

Albuquerque's Recently Opened Bus Rapid Transit Line Sets a New Standard

Overcoming lawsuits and controversy, Albuquerque opened the Albuquerque Rapid Transit to partial service over the holiday weekend.

November 28, 2017 - Albuquerque Journal

New Mexico

Albuquerque Overhauls its Zoning Code for the First Time Since the 1970s

Albuquerque has approved the new Integrated Development Ordinance.

November 27, 2017 - Albuquerque Journal

No Walking

Walking in the Margins with Streetsblog

Streetsblog USA wants you to use #walkinginthemargins to expose hostile pedestrian environments.

November 20, 2017 - Streetsblog USA

Southwest Chief

An Amtrak Train Runs Through Them

Efforts to ensure that Amtrak's Southwest Chief continues its current route through three states has united more than 20 small communities in New Mexico, Colorado, and Kansas.

October 26, 2017 - The Denver Post

New Mexico Backcountry

Previously Inaccessible Wilderness Area in New Mexico Could Finally Open to the Public

The Sabinoso Wilderness is designated public land, but it's completely surrounded by private property. That could soon change.

August 29, 2017 - High Country News

Battery Urban Farm

New York Could Launch an Urban Agriculture Plan, Zoning Overhaul

New York's ability to feed itself with locally grown urban agriculture is only being partially realized. Better planning, specific to urban agriculture, would help.

July 23, 2017 - The Wall Street Journal

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.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

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100 Most Influential Urbanists

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Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.