The Wall Street Journal investigates what it takes to create a 'natural' backyard.
Talk about the greening of America. This spring, homeowners are calling in landscapers in numbers right out of the big-spending '90s...We asked designers at three price levels -- low, medium and high -- to come up with a plan for our two-acre Connecticut home. We got a lesson on drainage from a place called Vinny's, talked "hardscape" with a midrange pro, and discovered our "palette" of woodland shrubs from a landscape architect whose usual clients spend more on retaining walls than we paid for our home. We even got tips from someone who calls himself America's first 'exterior decorator.'" Editor's note: To read the full text of this article, you will need a wsj.com subscription.
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Landscapers Charge Big Money To Give Lawns 'Natural' Look
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.
Greening Oakland’s School Grounds
With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.
California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas
Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.
Native American Communities Prepare to Lead on Environmental Stewardship
In the face of federal threats to public lands and conservation efforts, indigenous groups continue to model nature-centered conservation efforts.
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.
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