A new report finds that urban sprawl is the most dangerous threat to native animals and plants and their habitats.
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF)recently released a report, Paving Paradise: Sprawl's Impact on Wildlifeand Wild Places in California, which suggests that growth is the primary threat to endangered species in California. Although logging, farming, and dams are well known as threats to wildlife, according to the report it is actually urban sprawl with its accompanying habitat destruction that is most dangerous to native animals and plants. Builders and developers question the accuracy of the report and are quick to point out that the state's dire need for housing must be considered before taking such a strong stance against development. Some wildlife experts maintain that it is impossible to say that one factor is "most" responsible for the decline of species, but federal officials and others support the findings in the report.
Thanks to California 2000 Project
FULL STORY: Construction Is a Leading Threat to California Wildlife, Study Finds
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
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.
A Plan to Expand Tree Canopy Across Dayton
Dayton is developing an urban forest master plan, using a $2 million grant to expand its tree canopy, address decades of tree loss, and enhance environmental equity across the city.
Decarbonizing Homes: The Case for Electrifying Residential Heating
A new MIT study finds that transitioning residential heating from natural gas to electric heat pumps can significantly reduce carbon emissions and operational costs.
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.
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