Energy

Richard Florida Examines Walkscore's Top Ten Cities

Richard Florida digests Walkscore's Walkability rankings, and discusses some surprising results. Among the top ten are Union City, New Jersey, and Miami, Florida.

October 13, 2011 - The Atlantic

New Cycling Initiatives in Ukraine

The city of Lviv in western Ukraine has begun a 9-year initiative to build 168 miles of bicycling infrastructure to the region.

October 13, 2011 - TheCityFix.com

Masdar City Promotes Its Green Cred to Businesses

At the European Future Energy Forum (EFEF) 2011, Masdar City displayed business opportunities to companies in renewable energy and clean technology as well as service providers in that industry.

October 11, 2011 - AME Info

More Hybrid Cars Available, But Fewer People are Buying Them

2009 may have been the peak year for hybrid vehicle sales as a percentage of total sales, despite the addition of 23 models available to consumers, reports CNNMoney. The current price of fuel does not justify the premium price paid for these models.

October 11, 2011 - CNNMoney

Expedited Fracking Plan May Need to Apply the Brakes

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's plan to expedite natural oil gas drilling, or fracking, is too risky to rush. Even with environmental regulations in place, writes Eric Goldstein, there are too many "unresolved substantive issues" to resolve.

October 9, 2011 - Gotham Gazette

Steve Jobs Advocates Planning In Final Public Appearance

In his last public appearance, Steve Jobs assumes the role of a land use advocate seeking to double the number of trees, move parking underground, and provide a self sufficient energy source for Apple's new campus in Cupertino.

October 6, 2011 - The Atlantic

A Solar Oil Field?

In a rather remarkable application of new, carbon-free renewable power to obtain additional oil from old wells, solar thermal technology involving mirrors placed above an oil field in Coalinga, CA will create steam to inject into the wells.

October 4, 2011 - Reuters via Los Angeles Times - Business

Man Calls 72,000 Sq. Ft. Home a "Monument to Environmental Sustainability"

Steven Huff, who is chairman of a concrete company, is building a 13 bedroom, 14 bath home in Highlandville, Missouri out of his company's energy-efficient concrete. When built, it will be one of the largest homes in the U.S.

October 4, 2011 - The Kansas City Star

More Drivers Pumping Less Fuel In California & U.S.

Since 2002, California has added 8.3% more drivers while reducing its gasoline consumption by 3.5%. And while taking the lead, they are not alone in this trend. Credit high fuel prices, economic stress and improved car technology for the reduction.

October 3, 2011 - Los Angeles Times - Business

Introducing Empowerhouse, an Ultra Affordable, Efficient Home

Recent winner of the Solar Decathlon's affordability category, the Empowerhouse costs under $230,000 to construct and uses an estimated 90% less energy than the typical U.S. home.

September 30, 2011 - Fast Company

A City as Good as Its Buildings

If cities are like ailing bodies, then building modernization is the key to their future health. It's time planners looked at buildings as ecological and economical assets, according to Gordon Gill.

September 29, 2011 - Huffington Post

Stemming the Flow of "Unaccounted-for Water"

For decades, water utilities in Georgia have had a certain amount of water go missing - up to 30% of their supply, in some cases. With water becoming more precious, utilities are finally trying to solve the mystery.

September 27, 2011 - The Macon Telegraph

Oil Bonanza In Western Hemisphere

New technology is allowing massive investment in oil drilling in North and South America, from Canada to Argentina. This article centers on the investment in the region's two largest economies, U.S. and Brazil, and its effect on energy geopolitics.

September 27, 2011 - The New York Times - Americas

North Dakota's Oil Boom

The Bakken formation, which lies under North Dakota and Montana, could contain almost 11 billion barrels of oil. Towns like Williston, ND are exploding in population and have the lowest unemployment in the country.

September 26, 2011 - NPR

Latest Government Shutdown Threat: Disaster Relief vs. Clean Car Manufacturing Subsidy

Once again, a government shutdown looms after Sept. 30 over funding for disaster relief. House Republicans insist that the additional spending must be off-set with spending cuts, and their target is a subsidy for electric cars and batteries.

September 26, 2011 - National Public Radio

Environmentalism, Renewable Energy and NIMBYs

Jennifer Runyon asks if environmentalists are doing the right thing by pushing regulations that make the cost of building renewable energy projects prohibitive.

September 25, 2011 - Renewable Energy World

Free Plug-Ins for Electric Vehicles Likely Won't Last

Free charging stations for electric and hybrid-electric vehicles in Colorado likely won't last due to the high cost of construction of the facilities.

September 24, 2011 - The Denver Post

Untippable, Enclosed, Electric Motorcycle in the Works

Segway meets Vespa: car designer Daniel Kim is developing a scooter-sized vehicle that is fully-enclosed and fully-electric, with a range of 150 miles.

September 19, 2011 - SmartPlanet

Obama's Renewable Energy Blunder

The President went out of his way to support Solyndra's cutting-edge solar technology. When the company declares bankruptcy this week, Jon Stewart anticipates the gaffes by Obama's opposition in a very funny segment on The Daily Show.

September 16, 2011 - The Daily Show

NYC Residents Suggesting Locations for New Bike Share Stations

Earlier this week, New York City officials announced a new bikeshare system that will be available to New Yorkers in 2012.

September 16, 2011 - TheCityFix.com

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

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