United States

Musk ‘Supercomputer’ Raises Water, Power, and Pollution Concerns in Memphis
The facility, which was completed in just 122 days, was rushed through so quickly, it is still missing environmental permits and infrastructure needed to ensure it doesn’t put stress on the grid or local water supply.

School Drop-Off Traffic Is Causing a Congestion — and Social — Crisis
School drop-off lines are becoming longer and more isolating than ever.

Extraction on Tribal Lands Contributes to State Coffers
A recent investigation reveals that profits from oil, grazing, and other uses on state-managed tribal lands are funding off-reservation public institutions.

Commercial Buildings, Parking Lots Offer Significant Potential for Solar Energy
Massive swaths of flat rooftops, garages, and surface parking lots go underutilized. They could be producing renewable energy.

DOJ: ‘Nuisance’ Evictions Could Break Federal Law
Ordinances that allow landlords to evict tenants for nuisance complaints or alleged criminal activity may run afoul of federal protections, the DOJ warns.

Data Center Emissions Far Outpace Tech Company Claims
In-house data centers owned by several major tech companies likely produce over six times as many greenhouse gas emissions as their owners estimate.

Green Schoolyards Offer Respite From Urban Heat
More schools are transforming asphalt-covered playgrounds into shady oases that help reduce temperatures and absorb emissions.

Farmworker Housing Program Excludes Many Agricultural Workers
Income restrictions make some farmworkers ineligible for workforce housing, but affordable rural housing remains largely out of reach.

Creative Ways to Activate Roofless Buildings and Vacant Lots
Pocket parks aren’t the only way to repurpose underused urban spaces.

Report: Americans Are Driving More Than Ever
Average vehicle miles driven rose in almost every major metropolitan area between 2019 and 2024.

When ‘Prioritizing All Modes’ Is a Lie
In many cases, it’s impossible to prioritize the safety of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users without sacrificing some speed.

Office Vacancies Drag Down Property Taxes
Downtown office buildings around the country are selling for much lower prices than before the pandemic, prompting questions about the future of central business districts.

Transit App Adds Safety-First Bike Routes
Users of the mobile travel planning app can now prioritize safe bike infrastructure when trip planning.

Planning for Future Floods
New climate and flood models are needed to understand growing flood risks.

Study: Retrofitting Old Buildings Has Lower Total Carbon Footprint Than New Construction
A study of over a million Chicago buildings assessed their ‘embodied carbon’ footprint over their lifetimes, showing that demolishing an old building in favor of a new one almost always produced more emissions.

How Park(ing) Day Leads to Permanent Change
Small-scale interventions can lead the way to major parking reforms.

Only Two US Metro Areas Are Affordable for Homebuyers
Northeast Ohio is the last remaining bastion of housing affordability, according to an analysis from the National Association of Realtors.

Proposed NHTSA Rule Takes Aim at Dangerously Large Trucks and SUVs
Nearly half of pedestrians who died after being hit by the front of a vehicle were struck by SUVs or trucks.

Study: Lakes Near Communities of Color Less Inspected for Water Quality
The research is the first of its kind to analyze the relationship between freshwater monitoring and the race and ethnicity of nearby communities.

Experts Say Zoning Reform Isn’t Likely to Solve Housing Crisis
A survey by Fannie Mae found widespread skepticism among housing experts that zoning reforms will be enacted widely enough to make a major impact on U.S. housing supply.
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Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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