In Atlanta, one gardening enthusiast has taken on the challenge of improving MARTA stations using his green thumb.
"Mike Sloan thought he was retiring last summer after nearly two decades as MARTA's attorney. But one year later, he just can't seem to wash his hands of the transit agency.
And these days, the affable lawyer's hands stay pretty dirty. An avid gardener, Sloan, who has since gone into private practice, is helping MARTA design and install landscaping at most of its 38 transit stations.
"I told them I wish I could charge them my attorney rate," said Sloan, on retainer for the ongoing project. "But gardening has always been a passion of mine, so I'm thrilled just to be doing it."
This spring, he and MARTA's Nick Lawrence, a landscape architect, headed up the first phase of landscaping 14 stations in diverse locations, and 21 will be added in the fall and next spring. It's no easy task, given the challenges of a drought coupled with the urban stresses of litter, bus fumes, pedestrian traffic and concrete-radiated heat. But given the results so far, it's also one that shows homeowners what's doable if they carefully choose tough plants."
FULL STORY: Tough plants for tough plots
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A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure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.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland