The City of Detroit and its suburbs continue to battle over one of the nation's largest water and sewer systems.
"A half-century of skirmishing between Detroit and its suburbs over control of one of the nation's largest water and sewer systems, a network of plants, pumps, and pipes that serves 4.3 million people and has heavily influenced patterns of development across southeast Michigan, will reach a climax in the next six months.
Yet it's unclear what the outcome will be. A court-backed blue ribbon panel studying the system is seeking an agreement between the city and suburbs that not only modernizes the system, but also could lead to a new era of regional cooperation and racial understanding, two of the principal elements southeast Michigan needs to be economically competitive in the 21st century. But partisan differences, and long standing urban-suburban rivalries could lead to even sharper divisions, undermining chances for southeast Michigan's recovery."
FULL STORY: Detroit’s Vast Water System: A Tangle of Regional Resentment
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
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.
Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.
California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.
HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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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.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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