Energy
Can Small Town America Survive the End of Cheap Gas?
With few local job opportunities, residents in small towns have grown accustomed to long commutes to cities. But with high gas prices making those commutes unaffordable, some economists wonder how much longer small towns can retain their populations.
Community Energy Planning Paying Off in Germany
A small town in Germany is demonstrating that a strategy of distributed, renewable and locally-controlled energy production can not only be Earth-friendly but profitable.
Home Economics
Philip Langdon comments on the the economy of oil and its effects on urban design in the July/August issue of New Urban News.
T. Boone Pickens Announces Alternative Energy Plan
Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens has announced his plan to reduce America's dependency on foreign oil, emphasizing the extensive transfer of wealth out of the country it has caused. His plan relies on natural gas vehicles and increasing wind power.
Small Town Apocalyptic Values
Josh Stephens reviews James Howard Kunstler's novel of post-peak oil existence, World Made By Hand.
Ontario Plugs into Cow-Power
Later this summer residents in the Province of Ontario will be able to plug in their homes to a new source of electrical power: biogas derived from cow manure.
1/3 Fewer Auto Deaths, Thanks to Rising Gas Prices
Escalating gas prices are depressing, but look on the bright side: a new study shows that they may reduce annual traffic deaths by as much as one-third.
What Country Uses the Most Gas? California
Alexis Madrigal at Wired digs into the stats, and find that the state of California uses more gasoline than any country in the world.
Oil Prices Aren't the Only Reason Sprawl is Dying
In this column, Richard Florida argues the decline in the popularity of suburbs is not just a product of rising oil prices, but a result of a new "spatial fix" that is reorganizing how and where people live their lives.
Feds Plan 'Energy Corridors' Through National Parks
The Department of Energy is proposing to construct massive "energy corridors", land designated solely for the purpose of energy conduction like oil, hydrogen and electricity.
Erie's Tire Incinerator: Renewable Energy or 'Something out of The Simpsons'?
A proposal to annually burn tens of millions of car tires to produce electricity at a facility in Erie, Pennsylvania is raising concerns among environmentalists and regional residents over mercury and other emissions.
Local Governments 'Heroes' of the Climate Crisis
If buildings are responsible for almost half of the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, then our energy and building codes are incredibly important tools attaining energy and climate sanity.
Oil Market Accomplishes What CAFE Regulations Intended
Conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer notes high gas prices are doing what Congress has taken decades to do – make the vehicle fleet more fuel efficient. He sees Congress repeating the mistake now with cap and trade - instead of gas taxes.
America is Growing
The Guardian U.K. observes that the end of cheap oil is changing driving habits, boosting public transit use and encouraging localization. In short, they are making America a bigger place.
Forget $4, What About $9?
With gas prices at more than $9 per gallon in Britain, driving habits are changing.
Gas Prices Beget Golf Carts
City officials in Lockhart, near Austin, consider allowing golf carts on arterial streets.
Americans Demand More and Better Options
Former Maryland Governor Parris N. Glendening says that Americans are tired of feeling like victims and are ready for innovative changes in how they live and get around.
Fed Un-Freezes Solar Power
The Bureau of Land Management has reversed course on a proposed moratorium on the construction of solar projects on public land.
It's Not That Easy Greening Your Fleet
Austin and a number of other cities are working to reduce the carbon footprint left by their fleets of city vehicles. Austin officials are looking for ways to offset their remaining emissions.
Wal-Mart To Cut Costs, Selling Local Fruits and Veggies
In an effort to reduce shipping costs, Wal-Mart is cutting its food miles and passing the savings on to customer by selling locally grown 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.
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
