Air Pollution

Hazy sky with Portland, Oregon skyline barely visible in background. Man walking in foreground.

Report: 25 Percent of Americans Live With Poor Air Quality

Fires and extreme heat are generating more harmful particulate matter.

February 18, 2024 - Health Day

Photovoltainc solar panels in green grass field.

The Climate Outlook for 2024

This year could mark a turning point for climate policy and energy systems.

January 18, 2024 - Yale Climate Connections

Google street view of American Avenue overpass over Highway 99 in Fresno, California.

Transportation Secretary Orders Review of Fresno Highway Project

The decision follows a lawsuit by local groups who say Caltrans should not have exempted two interchange expansions from environmental review.

January 17, 2024 - Fresnoland

Close-up of driver's side of silver truck with cloud of dirty emissions from tailpipe.

FHWA Issues Emissions Tracking Rule

The agency will require states to monitor transportation emissions and create plans to address air pollution.

November 28, 2023 - Route Fifty

Low shot of worker in orange pants using leaf blower on yellow leaves.

Report: Gas-Powered Lawn Tools Produce Emissions Comparable to Cars

A Maryland study recommends switching to electric tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the state’s climate goals.

November 27, 2023 - Maryland Matters

Aerial view of large warehouses in Southern California with hills in background.

California Air Regulators to Crack Down on Warehouses

Truck traffic to and from Southern California warehouses accounts for as much pollution as refineries, power plants, and other industrial polluters combined.

September 22, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

A line of cars wait at the drive-thru window of a starbucks.

More Cities Ponder the End of Drive-Thrus

Drive-thru fast food restaurants might be a staple of American life, but several U.S. cities are actively considering prohibiting the development of new drive-thrus for the benefit of traffic safety, air quality, and congestion.

August 31, 2023 - The Denver Post

Air pollution is visible in the air around high-rise buildings in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Air Pollution World’s Worst Public Health Threat, Report Says

Air pollution is more likely to take years life off the lifespan of the average human than any other external factor, according to a recent report out of the University of Chicago.

August 31, 2023 - Phys.org

Bike Parking

What Is Transportation Demand Management?

When a government creates incentives or disincentives to influence how and when you travel—that's transportation demand management.

July 19, 2023 - James Brasuell

Black plume of smoke rising from petrochemical plant fire in Houston, Texas

EPA Grant Will Fund Air Pollution Tracking in Houston

The city wants to monitor air quality and measure cancer-causing emissions near two petrochemical plants, one of which announced plans for expansion last year.

July 17, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Male cyclists wearing helmet, sunglasses, and N95 mask stands with arms crossed in front of his bike

Wildfire Smoke Takes Toll on Bike Commuters

How can people on bikes protect their lungs from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke?

June 30, 2023 - Momentum Magazine

Line of 18-wheeler trucks on a highway in Tennessee

Biden's Truck Pollution Rule Hanging by a Thread

Four House Democrats joined all but one Republican to enact the Congressional Review Act to roll back President Biden's rule on heavy truck pollution approved by the EPA last December. The Senate had earlier narrowly passed the joint resolution.

May 30, 2023 - The Hill

Natural gas stove with blue flame

Berkeley’s First-in-Nation Natural Gas Ban Overthrown by Court Ruling

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Berkeley does not have the power to mandate electric hookups in new development because a federal rule preempts the local regulation.

April 18, 2023 - Bloomberg Law

Aerial view of Interstate 35 bridge over river into downtown Austin, Texas with skyline in background

Controversial Highway Widening Breaks Ground in Austin

Texas’ transportation priorities were on display in March—a few days after the gutting of a transit plan, a highway expansion broke ground depite years of local opposition.

April 3, 2023 - KUT

Aerial view of traffic on road and buildings in the Bronx, New York City

MTA Proposes Pollution Mitigation Spending for the Bronx

Acknowledging the impact the city’s proposed congestion pricing program could have on underserved neighborhoods, the agency plans to spend over $130 million in revenue from the program on air filtration, trees, and other pollution reduction measures.

March 30, 2023 - The New York Times

Aerial view of small town of Beacon, New York in the Hudson Valley

Hudson Valley City Bans Fossil Fuels in New Construction

Beacon will require all-electric appliances in new buildings starting next year.

March 23, 2023 - Food & Water Watch

View down a Los Angeles street with cars and tall palm trees on both sides

Study: L.A.’s Wealthier Residents ‘Export’ Air Pollution to Poorer Neighborhoods

Residents of Los Angeles who drive less are exposed to higher rates of air pollution due to policies that have encouraged commuting through low-income neighborhoods.

March 7, 2023 - USC Sol Price School of Public Policy

Aerial top-down view of multicolored big rig trucks in lines at the Port of Los Angeles

Los Angeles County Launches Environmental Justice Department

The new department will develop plans for addressing the impacts of air and water pollution, extreme heat, and climate change on vulnerable communities.

November 17, 2022 - Los Angeles Daily News

Orange hazy sky over San Francisco during wildfires

Wildfires Second-Largest Source of Emissions in California

New research quantifies the impact of wildfires on California’s air quality, indicating that bigger and more frequent fires contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

October 21, 2022 - Yahoo News

Air Pollution

Democrats Call for Stronger Action on Environmental Justice

The Justice40 initiative could make a major difference for communities burdened by pollution, but only if funds are spent on projects that maintain a focus on equity.

September 18, 2022 - The Washington Post

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.