Climate change dominated the news this week, as flooding wreaked unfathomable havoc on the state of Louisiana.
It only takes three minutes to catch up on the biggest news stories of the week in the world of planning with the Planetizen Week in Review.
Normally it's foolish to point at a single weather event as proof (or disproof) of climate change, but the week's devastating flooding in Louisiana are an exception. Severe rains and flooding have repeatedly hit the state in the last year, in proof of a new era of climate change.
The village of Shishmaref in Alaska is aware of the new climate era: it voted this week to relocate, faced with rising seas and an eroding coastline.
Ambitious long-term plans were released in Chicago and in the Nashville region, as well. Finally, the city of San Francisco and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development had a high-profile disagreement about fair housing this week.
For more on the stories covered in the video, see the links below.
- This Is Climate Change: Eight 500-Year Storms Since May *2015
- Faced With Sea-Level Rise and Coastal Erosion, an Alaskan Village Votes to Relocate
- 25-Year Regional Transit Plan Revealed for Nashville
- A Bold Plan to Swim in Chicago's Rivers by 2030
- HUD Rejects San Francisco's 'Neighborhood Preference' Plan
FULL STORY: Planetizen Week in Review August 20, 2016
HUD Rejects San Francisco's 'Neighborhood Preference' Plan
The federal government has decided that a policy recently approved by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors would have the exact opposite effect of its intentions.
Rising Above: Innovative Solutions for Waikīkī’s Sea-Level Challenges
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s award-winning Waikīkī sea-level rise adaptation project combines science, architecture, and community input to create scalable solutions for climate resilience and coastal flood mitigation.
America’s Housing Crisis: Lessons Ignored and Challenges Ahead
A recent study reveals how decades of policy missteps, demographic shifts, and economic forces fueled America’s housing crisis, leaving millions — especially millennials — struggling amid rising demand, racial disparities, and climate-driven emergencies.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Understanding Road Diets
An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.
New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution
A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.
Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension
The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
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