Drought
Madrid to Blanket Itself in Green for Climate Change Resilience
Madrid, already famous for deciding to impose stringent limitations on driving, has a plan to blanket the city in green to increase its resilience to the effects of climate change.
As El Niño Arrives, Los Angeles Needs to Update its Stormwater System
"The hard lesson here is that infrastructure systems built to make cities resilient in one era may not serve them well at all in another era," writes Jon Christensen.
Visualizing the Drought in the Colorado River Basin
The Colorado River, drinking water source for one in ten Americans, is severely impacted. A new interactive visualization illustrates just how dramatic the problem has become.
Op-Ed: Lake Powell No Longer Needed
Eric Balken makes the case that Lake Powell, anchored in place by the Glen Canyon Dam, is too inefficient a reservoir during times of water scarcity. Lake Mead, he says, is more than up to the task.
Ranchers and Activists Face Off Over Wild Horses
Tens of thousands of wild horses still inhabit the western states. The Bureau of Land Management is caught between two camps: ranchers who want them contained and advocates who want them to roam free.
Where Climate Change Means Diminished Snowpacks, Water Supplies
A new study by researchers at Columbia University estimates how predicted changes in the levels and locations of snowfall will affect water supplies.
New Groundwater Regulations Taking Shape in California
Out of sheer necessity, the state of California has embarked on a new process for regulating the use of groundwater.
San Francisco Leading the Way in Water Recycling
San Francisco's water district has become the first in the nation to require newly constructed large buildings to collect and reuse nonpotable water.
The Evolving Market for Water in an Era of Droughts and Efficiencies
As some areas of the country seek out new sources of water, other areas are trying to protect what they have.
Sierra Nevada Snowpack at 500-Year Low
Unusually scarce precipitation last winter has left little snow on the mountains, endangering a key California water reserve.
How the Internet of Things Can Help Solve Water Woes
New tools and technologies of the so-called Internet of Things are helping cities get a better handle on water scarcity and overabundance.
Lessons from Washington's Record Breaking Wildfire Season
The largest fire in the state history is burning in Washington. This year's particularly bad fires had predictable, perhaps preventable, origins.
Real Time Data Monitoring Salmon Populations in Drought-Stricken Pacific Northwest
Indian Tribes in the Pacific Northwest are using real time data to monitor and support salmon populations on rivers impacted by water and power infrastructure along with the region's ongoing drought.
Sacramento Reconsiders Ban on Artificial Turf
Brown lawns may be less aesthetically pleasing than synthetic lawns, but are they safer?
Interactive Maps Track Drought and More
A researcher from the Bill Lane Center for the American West at Stanford University explains how to use interactive maps to track climate change.
Chinese 'Sponge Cities' Will Capture Rainwater
Existing grey infrastructure in China cannot cope with rapid urban expansion and frequent droughts and floods. Several cities, with Beijing's approval, are experimenting with rainwater capture methods as an alternative.
Phoenix Mayor Advocates Self-Reliance Due to Federal Gridlock
Frustrated with Congress' inability to fund a six-year transportation bill, Mayor Greg Stanton is backing an August sales tax measure to expand light rail. Stanton also discusses climate change and water rights in the article and accompanying videos
Washington Declares Statewide Drought Emergency
With snowpack down to 16 percent of normal levels, Washington officials are bracing for drought.
It's Time to Talk About National Minimum Urban Density Standards
What would a policy that requires development to make more efficient use of land and resources (like water, for instance) look like?
What Droughts Say About Planners and Water Officials
When water policy and land use planning operate in separate spheres, it's more difficult to design for efficient resource use. Better communication is needed in the drought-stricken southwest.
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 Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
