A successful sewage plant in Pacifica converts sludge into protected wetlands.
The city of Pacifica, located just south of San Francisco, hasrecently opened a new sewage treatment plant. The plant is so effectivethat, in addition to ensuring that the effluent going into the PacificOcean meets environmental standards, the water released by the plantwill actually be used to restore a wetlands ecosystem. The wetlands arehome to an increasing number of plant and animal species, including twothat are listed as endangered. Rather than using chlorine to treat thewater, which would prevent it from then being transferred to thewetlands, the system uses ultra violet rays to treat wastewater. Fourmillion gallons a day can be treated by the system, which results in thetreated effluent meeting Pacifica's criteria for safe drinking water.
Thanks to California 2000 Project
FULL STORY: Sewage Plant Stirs Pride In Pacifica
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
USDOT Revokes Approval for NYC Congestion Pricing
Despite the administration’s stated concern for the “working class,” 85 percent of Manhattan commuters use public transit to enter the city.
Tiny House Villages for Addressing Homelessness: An Interview with Yetimoni Kpeebi
One researcher's perspective on the potential of tiny homes and owner-built housing as one tool to fight the housing crisis.
Preserving Altadena’s Trees: A Community Effort to Save a Fire-Damaged Landscape
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena Green is working to preserve fire-damaged but recoverable trees, advocating for better assessment processes, educating homeowners, and protecting the community’s urban canopy from unnecessary removal.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Investigation Reveals Just How Badly California’s Homeless Shelters are Failing
Fraud, violence, death, and chaos follow a billion dollar investment in a temporary solution that is proving ineffective.
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.
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research