Environment

Ladder going down into kiva ruin in New Mexico.

The Meaning of Ruins on the Landscape

In the latest in a far ranging series of interest to planners—centered on contrasts between urban and natural environments—Chuck Wolfe speculates about the role of ruins in urban and natural environments.

August 8, 2024 - Resurgence: A Journey via Substack

Bison grazing in green meadow with Grand Teton mountains in background.

Grand Teton Foundation Races to Fundraise — or Lose Key Wildlife Corridor

Wyoming could sell a currently protected parcel of land, key to elk and other hoofed mammal migration paths, to private developers.

August 7, 2024 - NPR

Worker in orange suit and hard hat working on large blue water pipe in ground.

Texas Water Board to Distribute $1 Billion for Infrastructure Improvements

The state must invest $80 billion by 2070 to upgrade its outdated water infrastructure.

August 7, 2024 - The Texas Tribune

Older woman walking on city street holding white lace sun parasol.

Protecting Vulnerable Older Adults From Extreme Heat

People over 65 are at particular risk during heat waves and other climate disasters.

August 6, 2024 - Danielle Arigoni

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland standing in a forested area in Colorado to celebrate recent action by the Biden-Harris administration to withdraw around 220,000 acres in the Thompson Divide area for mineral leasing on 1 July 2024.

How Project 2025 Could Threaten Public Lands

If enacted, the conservative plan could ‘decimate’ public lands and protected habitats.

August 6, 2024 - Colorado Newsline

View looking up at Zilker Studios apartment building in Austin, Texas.

What Makes Affordable Housing Green?

There's no one way to determine what makes “green” housing. Here's a breakdown of the standards and considerations used by the affordable housing industry.

August 6, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Manhattan brick apartments with AC units on windows.

NYC Lawmaker Proposes Mandatory Cooling Law

Despite hundreds of heat-related deaths every year, the city has no regulations on cooling in residential units.

August 5, 2024 - Word In Black

Front entrance of emergency room at hospital in Orlando, Florida.

Heat-Related ER Visits Soar in Florida

The state has the most heat-related hospital visits in the nation, but efforts to create protections for outdoor workers and other vulnerable residents have been stymied by state legislators.

August 4, 2024 - Governing

Brick New York City apartment building exterior with fire escape stairs and AC window units.

Beating Extreme Heat Through Community Efforts

U.S. cities don't provide residents with enough protection against heat, the deadliest weather-related killer in the world. In New York City, one organization came together to distribute ACs to neighbors in need.

August 1, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Palm trees on Santa Barbara beach against the red glow of a wildfire

Wildfires Explode Across the West

Multiple massive fires are burning across the Western United States and Canada, prompting governments to explore new mitigation and response strategies.

August 1, 2024 - Inside Climate News

City park with paved walkway, green trees, and people sitting on lawn.

Advancing Sustainability and Resilience Through Parks

The Urban Land Institute offers fact sheets describing five innovative ways that parks can reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate threats while advancing health, equity, and quality of life in urban areas.

July 31, 2024 - Urban Land Institute

Aerial view of hydrogen storage hub in green field.

First Federal Funding for Hydrogen Hubs Awarded to California and Pacific Northwest

The U.S. Department of Energy announced on July 17 that the first grant to build the nation's seven proposed 'hydrogen hubs' would go to California. The ultimate goal is to decarbonize transportation fuels used in port operations.

July 31, 2024 - Irvin Dawid

Flooded Houston street with half-submerged cars during Hurricane Harvey.

20 States Best and Least Prepared for Climate Change and Extreme Weather

A new study from CNBC ranks US states in order of sustainability and preparedness for climate change and extreme weather. A few might surprise you.

July 31, 2024 - CNBC

Two people helping an older woman outdoors suffering from heat stroke.

Essential Strategies for Combating Extreme Heat

Cities can protect residents from extreme heat by enhancing natural and built infrastructure, establishing heat response strategies, and implementing national policies for worker safety and disaster response.

July 30, 2024 - Fast Company

Yellow excavator on rocky beach with bright blue water in background.

NOAA Awards $575M in Coastal Resilience Grants

The program received over $16 billion in requests from communities around the country.

July 29, 2024 - U.S. Department of Commerce

View of city skyline with orange sky indicating extreme heat.

Addressing the Perils of Extreme Heat

With this year bringing on more record heat waves, governments at the local and federal levels are elevating extreme heat management as an urgent priority.

July 29, 2024 - Governing

Solar panels installed ona hillside with Lake Mead, Nevada in background.

Rural Nevada Counties Struggle to Keep up with Solar Projects

Local officials are calling for state regulations that would require federal land managers to enter agreements with local jurisdictions before moving forward with major renewable energy projects.

July 28, 2024 - The Daily Yonder

Silver and blue Sun Tran public transit bus on street in Tucson, Arizona.

Tucson Keeps Buses Fare-Free

The city is doubling down on its efforts to boost bus ridership as part of its climate action plan.

July 28, 2024 - Yale Climate Connections

Aerial view of New York City including Empire State Building blanketed in orange wildfire smoke

State AGs Call for FEMA to Classify Extreme Heat, Smoke as ‘Major Disasters’

State and local officials say explicitly naming heat and wildfire smoke would give local agencies more certainty in developing their mitigation strategies.

July 28, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

View of people sitting in lightly sloped green lawn with Spanish colonial-style building and cityscape in background in San Francisco, California.

How Local Park Agencies Contribute to Decarbonization Efforts

Park agencies play an important role in decarbonization by creating and managing parklands, promoting sustainable practices, and engaging communities to combat climate change and enhance public health and biodiversity.

July 23, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

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.