Energy

Attempt to Make Coal Sexy Fails

The Infrastructurist dissects the poor judgement behind GE's recent ads for supposed clean coal technology that feature scantily clad models posed as coal miners (offending video included).

September 30, 2009 - The Infrastructurist

Stockholm's Congestion Pricing Cuts Traffic, Boosts Clean Vehicle Sales

Stockholm's congestion charge is not only reducing traffic and greenhouse gas emissions, it's also increasing sales of alternative fuel vehicles.

September 30, 2009 - The New York Times

Differences in City Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Different cities have different levels of greenhouse gas emissions. A new study looks at how they are different and why.

September 30, 2009 - The Economist

Living Past the Tipping Points

A new report in the journal Nature suggests that there are seven thresholds for determining planetary health -- and we're already past three of them.

September 27, 2009 - Yale Environment 360

Poltical Courage & Raising The Gas Tax

Another column by New York Times columnist, Thomas Friedman on the need to raise the gas tax - in this one, he compares the U.S. to Europe and concludes that the former are 'wimps' for not having the courage to raise gas or carbon taxes.

September 27, 2009 - The New York Times - Opinion

Eight Smart City Innovations

This series of infographics and posts from Good looks at innovations within a variety of world cities that improve city organization and operation -- from traffic to energy production to water conservation.

September 26, 2009 - Good

Making Roofs Cooler in New York City

Under a new service program called NYC Cool Roofs, volunteers are painting New York's rooftops white to try to lower urban temperatures and save energy.

September 26, 2009 - The Architect's Newspaper

Green Roof Benefits Quantified

A new study has shown that the environmental benefits of green roofs are even greater than previously thought.

September 25, 2009 - Gizmag

Reborn Green

The New York Times takes a look at Greensburg, Kansas, the tornado-ravaged town that rebuilt itself to high environmental standards.

September 25, 2009 - The New York Times

Why We'll go to Extremes for Energy

Michael Klare believes that our transition from petroleum to sustainable energy sources will not be easy, smooth or peaceful.

September 24, 2009 - TomDispatch

Increased Transit Use Reduced Carbon Emissions by 37 Million Tons

A new report by Environment America suggests that increased ridership in 2008 reduced global warming gases significantly, and increasing ridership by 10% more could save the equivalent of all the oil we import from the Persian Gulf.

September 24, 2009 - Smart Growth America blog

Awash In Natural Gas

A veteran gas producer claims that the U.S. may be 'drowning in natural gas'. Interestingly, the gas has always been there - it's technology advancements that make the Marcellus shale deposits from N.Y. to W.V. and accessible.

September 23, 2009 - NPR-Morning Edition

A Look at Houston and its Environmental Impact

This report from NPR looks at Houston's growth pattern, and the evolution of a city that at once provides a high quality of life but also creates a big environmental impact.

September 20, 2009 - NPR

Sustainability is a Lifestyle, Not an Accessory

Witold Rybczynski bemoans the green movement's emphasis on sustainability measure that treat environmental action as a process of accessorizing rather than changing lifestyles.

September 17, 2009 - The Atlantic

Sustainability Solutions in the City

This piece from the Guardian looks at a handful of projects and ideas that are emphasizing the importance of sustainable metropolitan areas in an age of diminishing resources and environmental devastation.

September 17, 2009 - Guardian

The Hawaiian Energy Islands

The islands of Hawaii are proving to be a laboratory for renewable energy projects, playing host to a variety of pilot projects that could end up paving the way for the rest of the country's transition to an energy menu with more renewable options.

September 16, 2009 - The New York Times

The Two Paths to Sustainability

Achieving sustainability can take one of two paths, according to Richard Carson: centralized or decentralized policy. Choosing one will be crucial.

September 16, 2009 - ArchNewsNow

Manhattan is the Greenest City

A review of GREEN METROPOLIS: Why Living Smaller, Living Closer, and Driving Less Are the Keys to Sustainability by David Owen, expanding on his groundbreaking essay in the New Yorker in 2004 on why New York is the greenest city around.

September 15, 2009 - The New York Times

The World's 'First Smart Grid City'

Boulder, Colorado, has become the world's "first fully functioning smart grid enabled city".

September 14, 2009 - Earth and Industry

Energy from the Landfill

Landfills produce a lot of methane gas, one of the main greenhouse gases contributing to global warming. In an effort to both reduce that impact and responsibly reuse the gas, some municipalities are converting it into energy.

September 13, 2009 - Governing

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.