World
Global issues, U.N., etc.
Planning for 'Sustainable Retreat'
Controversial scientist James Lovelock is convinced that current conceptions of "sustainable development" are hopelessly wrongheaded. We're facing a climate catastrophe, he believes, and only radical solutions will be up to the challenge.
Northern Deep-Sea Ports Eyed as Arctic Melts
Climate change is bringing year-round ice-free shipping between Canada and Russia, which could change international trade routes and boost the fortunes of Churchill, Manitoba.
The Seductions of 'Big'
The 164-story Barj Dubai is just one of many examples of architecture's new obsession with enormous buildings. While undeniably spectacular, these structures also raise questions about their social and environmental sustainability.
The Physical Footprint Of The World's Biggest Retailers
This graph from Good shows the acreage of some of the world's biggest retailers, including McDonald's, 7-11, and Wal-Mart.
Friday Funny: Street Signs Tell Tale Of Love
This video from Do The Green Thing tells the tale of Gusty and Ford -- a street-sign love story that only came to be because of a fortuitous decision one day to walk instead of drive.
Friday Funny: Building Industry Safety Blunders Hall Of Shame
The Building website invites readers to send in pictures of construction safety blunders.
To Military Planners, 'Cities are the Problem'
Nick Turse reports on the recent "Joint Urban Operations" conference, where participants discussed the highly advanced military technologies being contemplated for use in the slums of the global south.
A Discussion With Open Architecture Network Founder
In this short video, Wired's Adam Rogers talks with Cameron Sinclair of the Open Architecture Network.
Floating Ice, Sinking Cities?
The unexpectedly rapid melting of glacier ice in Greenland has scientists worried that it may be only years -- not centuries -- before rising sea levels begin to affect coastal cities like New York.
Why Biking Doesn't Mean Dying
This blog post from Grist looks at the often unjustifiable fear associated with biking. Author Alan Durning discusses injury rates and offers advice on how cyclists can pedal their way through cities without being killed.
Ten Principles for Sustainable City Governance
Scandinavian think tank Monday Morning interviews 50 global experts to develop a series of principles for creating a sustainable city.
More Lanes Mean More Emissions
As Seattle considers a plan to spend more than $17 billion on road and transit projects, the Sightline Institute looks at how the city's greenhouse-gas emissions would increase if a new land of highway is built.
Green School Designs Struggle For Acceptance
The emerging focus on sustainable design has moved into the realm of education, with architects and designers looking at the best ways to create green schools. But while the idea is popular, its implementation is meeting resistance.
Grandpa, What's A 'Pay Phone'?
Entrepreneur.com's list of the 10 types of businesses most likely to be extinct in 10 years suggest a very different kind of city.
The Building's Green, But What About The Commute?
This article from Environmental Building News looks at the energy required to get workers from home to work -- often a use of energy that far surpasses that of the workplace itself.
Location Is Important, But So Is Timing
This column from The Washington Post discusses the other most important criteria for development: timing.
Friday Funny: Pigeon Problems? Put 'Em On The Pill
Pigeon poop is driving officials crazy in towns across the world -- crazy enough to propose putting the birds on birth control to cut down their populations.
Carbon Control From The Sea
World-renowned environment experts have proposed a system of huge tubes placed in the world's oceans that would cycle nutrients to encourage booms in the population of algae -- organisms that naturally consume and sequester carbon.
Is LEED's Success Demeaning Its Value?
The U.S. Green Building Council's green building certification system LEED has become the industry standard in recent years, but is the system's intended goal of encouraging environmentally-friendly buildings being limited by its success?
Could Planning Decisions Form A New Climate Change Policy?
Land use, housing location, and the "everyday decisions" of planners are the backbone of a new way of looking at climate change policy, according to this article from the Los Angeles Times.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Clovis
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
