Discover how the Sustainable Urban Design Framework helps planners create livable, sustainable communities. Nico Larco from the University of Oregon explores a new tool and book in the latest “Talking Headways” podcast.

Urban planners are increasingly grappling with the difficult task of how to create more sustainable and livable communities. This has been challenging as sustainability in urban design is a complicated topic that includes a wide range of scales, disciplines, and areas of expertise. In the latest episode of the “Talking Headways” podcast, Nico Larco from the University of Oregon discusses a new, comprehensive approach based on the Sustainable Urban Design Framework and how it can be used by planners, designers, elected officials, and community stakeholders. The framework organizes a new book by Larco and Kaarin Knudson titled the Sustainable Urban Design Handbook (excerpts here).
The podcast gives an overview on the framework and describes its five sustainability-focused outcome areas (Energy Use and GHG based on Transportation and Land Use, Water, Ecology and Habitat, Energy Use and GHG Production (Non-Transportation), and Equity and Health) and four scales of intervention (Region/City, District/Neighborhood, Block/Street, Project/Parcel).
The podcast also dives deep on a few topics such as the critical role density plays in many aspects of sustainable communities. Often, in the US, sustainable approaches seem to be a band-aid trying to address a lack of underlying density. Creating density requires a multifaceted approach and can impact mode choice, stormwater management, ecological health, energy use, and resident's cost of living, access to goods and services, amount of physical activity, safety, and ability to improve their socio-economic condition.
This podcast serves as a quick introduction to this new tool that can help with design, planning, and community engagement around sustainability and livability.
FULL STORY: Sustainable Urban Design - Nico Larco on the Talking Headways Podcast

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
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.
Ascent Environmental
Borough of Carlisle
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