A recent article from Richard Florida shows that the size and density of cities offers considerable advantages to the environment, beyond what is commonly understood.
While several studies have demonstrated that the "size and density of cities confers considerable economic advantages", Florida aims to show that size and density also benefit the environment, in less well understood ways.
"That larger and denser cities and metro areas might be energy efficient makes intuitive sense," Florida states, as is reflected in decreased encroachment on natural habitats and increased energy efficiencies. But, he continues, "the idea that their emissions might actually be lower than smaller cities' seems like a stretch."
However, by parsing CO2 emissions data with colleagues Kevin Stolarick and Jose Lobo of Arizona State University, Florida confirms that as such emissions rise alongside the economic output of metro areas, they do so at a declining rate. "In other words, increasing metropolitan output is associated with decreasing emissions."
"When it comes to being green, bigger really is better."
FULL STORY: Why Bigger Cities Are Greener
How Zoning Affects Greenhouse Gas Emissions
As the urgency of the climate crisis increases, a paper in the Notre Dame Law Review argues that increased density is not a universally effective strategy to reduce emissions and that different strategies are needed for low-carbon places versus high-carbon ones.
Washington State Legislature Passes Parking Reform Bill
A bill that would limit parking requirements for new developments is headed to the governor’s desk.
Opinion: California’s SB 79 Would Improve Housing Affordability and Transit Access
A proposed bill would legalize transit-oriented development statewide.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?
HSR Reaches Key Settlement in Northern California City
The state’s high-speed rail authority reached an agreement with Millbrae, a key city on the train’s proposed route to San Francisco.
Washington State Legislature Passes Parking Reform Bill
A bill that would limit parking requirements for new developments is headed to the governor’s desk.
Missouri Law Would Ban Protections for Housing Voucher Users
A state law seeks to overturn source-of-income discrimination bans passed by several Missouri cities.
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.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
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