United States
Oil Independence or Independence from Oil?
With booming shale oil production in North Dakota and Texas and possibly Canada's vast oil sands, there is talk of energy independence as the U.S. reduces its oil imports. But why not be less dependent on oil - domestic or imported?
The Rise of Municipal Urban Design Departments
San Antonio City Design Center's Executive Manager Mark Brodeur describes his observations of the nationwide trend in cities establishing independent urban design departments.
Value of Homes Near Transit Fared Much Better During the Recession
A new study conducted by the Center for Neighborhood Technology shows that homes in close proximity to transit stations lost much less of their value during the collapse of the housing market, reports Tanya Snyder.
More Rigorous Fracking Standards Designed by Drillers and Environmentalists
A two-year negotiating process has culminated with a set of 15 voluntary standards to make for more responsible fracking to safeguard the environment in Appalachia. Some environmental groups are skeptical, and not all energy companies are on board.
Rail Competitive With Air Between Many U.S. Cities
Data from the Federal Railroad Administration shows that rail is competing well (and mostly winning) against air to claim market share in eight major city-pairs, many outside of the traditionally strong Northeast Corridor.
What is the Worst Parking Crater in America?
The March Madness bug has bitten the staff of Streetsblog. Based on nominations submitted by readers, the website has organized a Parking Madness tournament to determine the "ugliest parking scar draining the life from [an American] downtown."
Strong Government Regulations Key to Kicking Oil Habit, Reducing Vehicle Emissions
What will it take to greatly reduce oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles? Efficiency, alternative fuels, and strong governmental policies reports the National Research Council. And it will be highly unlikely.
Builders Can't Keep Up with Demand for Homes
The rapid recovery of the housing market has caught America's home builders off guard with record low levels of inventory. The return of "bubblelike price jumps" and bidding wars are causing problems for buyers and sellers alike.
What Are America's Healthiest Counties?
A new study from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ranks America's healthiest counties. Environment, rather than access to care, is seen as the key element in determining health outcomes.
How the U.S. Became an Unlikely Leader in Reducing Carbon Emissions
Emissions of CO2 in the U.S. have fallen almost 13 percent since 2007 - "perhaps the biggest decline among industrial countries." Rather than the result of an enlightened policy shift, the drop has resulted from market forces, says Eduardo Porter.
State Gas Taxes: What a Difference a Year Makes!
Fox News ran two articles on the climate for increasing state gas taxes, almost exactly a year apart. The 2012 article is pessimistic about the ability to increase gas taxes while the March 14th one is decidedly upbeat. Why the change, what happened?
Mapping March Madness Fandom
On the eve of round 2 (the real start) of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, Facebook has analyzed the more than 1 million "likes" entered for each of the 68 teams in the tournament to create a comprehensive geography of March Madness.
Study Shows that Electricity Consumption Differs by Political Party
Here's a news item that's sure to make for interesting conversation at your next dinner party. A new study has found that liberal homeowners tend to use at least five percent less electricity than conservatives.
America's Next Subway System Won't Carry Passengers
If the U.S. Air Force has its wish, America's next subway system won't be built in a city and won't carry passengers (not human ones anyway). Robert Beckhusen reports on plans for a "mobile doomsday train."
Future Looking Brighter for Landscapes of the Recent Past
While modernist buildings have fared somewhat better in the minds of preservationists, recent trends seem to indicate a more promising future for protecting the significant modernist landscapes of the recent past, says Charles Birnbaum.
America's Infrastructure Shows Improvement, But Still Shameful
For the first time in 15 years, the American Society of Civil Engineers' report on the state of America's infrastructure sees improvement. But the group has identified the need for $3.6 trillion in investment by 2020 to fix enduring problems.
Ethanol Glut 2.0 May Cause Gas Prices to Jump
Gas prices may rise due to the ethanol requirement. But there is no shortage - in fact, there's a glut, as we reported in Nov., 2009. It's the ethanol credits that have surged in price. What - you didn't know there was an ethanol credit market?
Farmers Markets Thrive, But Farmers Still Struggle
The resurgence of farmers markets across America has helped feed the growing desire for locally grown produce. Unfortunately, the return on investment still doesn't pencil out for many farmers.
To Preserve Landscapes, Environmentalists Put Their Money Where Their Mouths Are
A novel approach to land conservation is emerging in the American West, where environmental advocates, ranchers, hunters and rich landowners, are utilizing the free market, rather than the courts, to preserve public landscapes.
Questions Arise About Keystone XL's Pipeline to Energy Independence
A major reason given by Keystone XL pipeline supporters is that the Canadian oil it will deliver to Gulf refineries will help make the U.S. 'energy independent', yet data shows that those refineries are now exporting 60% of the gasoline they produce.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
