Air Pollution
Inadequate Diesel Vehicle Testing Results in 38,000 Global Fatalities Annually
While the study stems from research that found Volkswagen diesel cars had used 'defeat devices' to pass emissions tests, the new study points to inadequacies in the tests themselves, resulting in 50 percent higher pollution than testing permits.
Big, Expensive Idea: Bury Six Miles of Expressway Under Brooklyn
The Gowanus Expressway is a big polluter and a traffic nightmare. Some see putting the road underground as a solution.
The Environmental Trade-Off for Raising California's Fuel Taxes
Come November 1, gasoline and diesel taxes will increase by 12 and 20 cents per gallon, respectively, in California, providing badly needed revenue to repair roads, bridges, and improve transit, but truck pollution loophole will still foul the air.
Air Quality and Environmental Justice Lead to Push for Zero-Emission Locomotives
The California Air Resources Board has petitioned the U.S. EPA to adopt more stringent emissions standards for locomotives in order to improve air quality at rail yards, many of which are located adjacent to disadvantaged communities.
City Councils Considering Removing Speed Bumps to Reduce Air Pollution Should Slow Down
According to a report in The Telegraph, some U.K. cities want to use air pollution as a reason to remove speed bumps, Peter Walker argues this idea is ludicrous.
In Building Homes Near Highways, L.A. Ignores a Public Health Issue
Los Angeles seems primed for a development boom, but when developments are built near highways there can be serious health consequences.
Apartments, Cities, and Pollution
Some evidence suggests that apartments lead to more greenhouse gas emissions per capita than houses. Does this mean that suburbs pollute less than cities? Probably not.
8,000 U.S. Public Schools Located Near Sources of Pollution
Schools tend to get built on cheap land. Cheap land is often found near busy roadways—sources of pollutants that are harmful to the health of children.
The London Subway Is Bad for Commuters' Lungs
A new study from the University of Surrey produced counterintuitive results about the relative pollution levels of commuters around London.
Spare the Air: Beijing to Drastically Reduce Coal Use
Beijing promises "extraordinary" measures to reduce pollution in the infamously smoggy city.
Buying a Diesel Car Today Is Selfish and Irresponsible
We all know that pollution, like tobacco, kills! We also know that diesel fuel is extremely dirty. Unfortunately, until a few years ago, the automobile industry had deceived us into believing that diesel was as clean or cleaner than gasoline.
Inland Empire Community Looking for Ways to Meet Environmental Standards
Those who live in Bloomington, east of L.A., face factories on all sides and a high incidence of asthma. Some feel polluters should be made to 'clean up their messes' with punishments rather than government funds.
Less and Less of Paris Open to Cars
Paris Mayor Anne Hildalgo announced a new plan to further restrict cars and trucks from the city center.
Barcelona Needs Swift Action Against Pollution
The capital of Catalunya is suffering from persistent high pollution due to car density and the largest number of motorcycles in Europe. City administrators, aware of the situation, have been unwilling to take any action that would upset drivers.
The Surprising Region with the Nation's Worst Particulate Air Pollution
It's not Southern California, with its ports and congested freeways, California's Central Valley, with its bowl-like topography, Houston, with its oil refineries, or the midwest, with its coal power plants. Hint: think Santa Claus.
Choking Air Pollution in Paris Prompts Driving Restrictions and Free Transit
A weather inversion has caused the highest air pollution in the French capital in ten years. To coax commuters from their cars, free transit and odd-even license plate driving restrictions were enacted by Mayor Anne Hidalgo on Tuesday
Banning Diesel Cars in City Centers
Mexico City, Paris, Madrid, and Athens will ban diesel cars and vans by 2025.
Albanian Mayor Curbs Pollution With Data and Children's Help
As mayor of Tirana, Albania, Erion Veliaj has introduced alternatives modes of transport to the city’s traffic-clogged streets and made the public a full partner in the process.
Yet More Data on the Value of Trees to the Built Environment
A new report from the Nature Conservancy provides evidence of trees as a crucial component of public-health infrastructure.
Barcelona Tackles its Traffic, Pollution With Parking Policies and Superblocks
We talked to Barcelona's mobility guru, Mercedes Vidal, about how the high pollution levels that are pushing the city to rethink heavy traffic flows, provide faster more efficient public transport and hike up parking fees.
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.
City of Santa Clarita
Ascent Environmental
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
