Climate Change

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Radical Hotel in Asheville, North Carolina before Hurricane Helene.

Post-Helene Reflections on Solastalgia and Community

Solastalgia is an increasingly relevant word that refers to the homesickness one feels when still at home, caused by distress due to environmental change in one’s home environment – for example, after a hurricane or wildfire.

January 13, 2025 - April Economides

Low angle view of busy crosswalk with pedestrians and a bike.

Planning Year in Review 2024: An Ongoing Housing Crisis, the Fight for Climate Resilience, and a Mixed Bag for Transportation

A pedestrian safety crisis, rising housing instability, and destructive extreme weather events set the stage for an eventful year.

January 12, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Red, white, and blue sandbags stacked along bridge railing and building doors and windows.

How US Communities Are Building Resilience Against Flooding

Flooding causes over $400 billion in damage in the United States every year.

January 5, 2025 - Governing

Aerial view of Lahainaluna neighborhood with smoke from fires in Maui, Hawaii.

Maui's Deadly Firestorm: Investigating the Tragedy and Lessons for the Future

FRONTLINE's Maui’s Deadly Firestorm investigates the 2023 Lahaina wildfire, uncovering critical failures in preparedness and response while examining the tragedy’s causes, impact, and lessons for future disaster prevention.

December 30, 2024 - PBS

Huntington Beach, CA pier at sunset.

Storms and Sea Levels: The Growing Threat to California’s Piers

California’s aging piers face growing threats from climate change, with intensifying storms, rising repair costs, and structural vulnerabilities forcing tough decisions about their future preservation.

December 30, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Houses on Lake Michigan shore with yellow "Keep Off Rocks" sign.

How US Cities Can Prepare for Climate Disasters

Resilience, encompassing infrastructure, governance, economic strength, and social cohesion, is critical for cities to mitigate rising climate risks like flooding, wildfires, and heat, ensuring long-term recovery and adaptability.

December 24, 2024 - The Washington Post

Close-up of green permeable street with concrete lattice over soil and grass.

How Cities Are Adopting Green Solutions to Combat Flooding

Cities are increasingly adopting nature-based solutions like floodable parks and green roofs to combat flooding, offering cost-effective, multifunctional benefits while requiring careful planning and integration with traditional infrastructure.

December 22, 2024 - Time Magazine

Close-up of person standing and holding book on train platform.

Planetizen’s Top Urban Planning Books of 2024

Top of mind in 2024 were the far-reaching impacts of climate displacement, zoning as a solution to the housing crisis, and the potential for safer roads and better public transit in American cities.

December 19, 2024 - Planetizen Team

Aerial view of Bayway refinery in Elizabeth City, New Jersey.

New Jersey to Consider Charging Fossil Fuel Companies for Pollution

A proposed law would make companies liable for damages caused by burning fossil fuels.

December 18, 2024 - Fast Company

Line of wildfire moving across dry hillside in Malibu, California during 2018 Woolsey fire.

December Wildfires Could Signal Shifting Fire Season

A mix of strong seasonal Santa Ana winds and an unusually dry year is fueling winter wildfires in California.

December 15, 2024 - High Country News

Dense informal settlement on steep hillside in Brazil.

Housing as a Climate Resilience Strategy

Ensuring that housing, including in informal settlements, is safe and healthy for its residents is a key tool in the fight to build more sustainable and equitable communities in the face of climate migration.

December 11, 2024 - Time Magazine

City park with paved walkway, green trees, and people sitting on lawn.

Global Report Shows Urban Forests Failing to Meet Vital Standards

The study reveals significant gaps in urban forestry, emphasizing the urgent need for reforms, innovative planting solutions, and expanded tree canopy to combat climate change and improve urban health.

December 9, 2024 - The Conversation

"Restoration in progress" sign in the wetlands in Alviso Marsh, Don Edwards wildlife refuge, south San Francisco Bay, California.

Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Climate Action

These solutions offer cost-effective, sustainable methods to combat climate change, but require government action to reallocate subsidies, integrate natural assets into financial systems, and develop biodiversity credit markets.

November 27, 2024 - The Conversation

Environmentalism

Preparing for Climate Migration

Billions of people will have to relocate in the next decades. Are governments prepared?

November 27, 2024 - Wired

Row of blue electric buses parked and plugged in at charging station.

USDOT Launches Climate Adaptation Plan

The plan outlines the department’s key priorities in building resilient infrastructure and ensuring environmental justice in historically disinvested communities.

November 25, 2024 - Global Railway Review

View looking up through large tree with blue sunny sky in background.

Improving South Los Angeles Through Strategic Tree Planting

The University of Southern California Urban Trees Initiative is planting 250 trees in South L.A. neighborhoods to improve shade, combat climate change, and enhance community well-being through collaboration and data-driven approaches.

November 25, 2024 - USC Today

Haleakala National Park entrance sign in Maui, Hawaii.

Hawai'i Researchers Tackle Climate Challenges in National Parks

University of Hawaiʻi researchers are using advanced remote sensing technologies to protect cultural resources in five Hawaiʻi national parks from climate change impacts while training students in cutting-edge environmental science techniques.

November 24, 2024 - University of Hawai'i News

Phoenix, Arizona skyline with mountains in background.

Phoenix Announces Shade Action Plan

The city has outlined 11 strategic priorities aimed at addressing the risks of extreme heat and protecting vulnerable residents from its impacts.

November 22, 2024 - Environmental Energy Leader

Close-up of charging port on yellow electric school bus plugged in at charging station.

Opinion: Supporting Electric School Buses is the Right Thing to Do — and Fiscally Conservative

Why switching school bus fleets to electric vehicles is good for students, the environment, and school districts’ finances.

November 14, 2024 - Governing

People walking and on bikes on paved multiuse path in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York City.

New Yorkers Face New Climate Risks

A two-acre fire in a city park prompted city officials to ban grilling while urging residents to conserve water to limit the impact of a historic drought.

November 14, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

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.