Environmental Justice

Close-up of yellow "Warning Biohazard" sign with people in hazmat suits cleaning up in background.

Students Drive Solutions for Environmental Justice Through Video Challenge

The Environmental Justice Video Challenge empowers students and communities to collaboratively address environmental inequities through innovative data-driven strategies, resulting in impactful projects and fostering local leadership.

December 23, 2024 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

View from hilltop residential neighborhood of downtown Los Angeles, California on a cloudy day.

LA Neighborhood Residents Unite to Block Warehouse Project

A group of Lincoln Heights residents expressed concerns about a proposed warehouse that would have brought increased truck traffic to an already overburdened area.

December 16, 2024 - CALmatters

Public stairs in Los Angeles, California painted with rainbow and red hearts.

A Framework for Inclusive Tree Planting in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Urban Forest Equity Collective has developed an equity-centered tree-planting framework and toolkit to address historic underinvestment and mitigate extreme heat in vulnerable neighborhoods.

December 10, 2024 - UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation

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

Two rusty, abandoned oil pumps in rural Texas.

Addressing Orphan Wells for Environmental Justice

Remediating and repurposing some orphan oil and gas wells into parks can turn environmental hazards into community assets, promoting health, environmental justice, and accessible green space for underserved areas.

November 10, 2024 - Progressive City

Two-story home being retrofitted with energy-saving insulation.

Future of Justice40 Initiative Hinges on Election

The program requires that 40 percent of some federal funds be used to benefit historically disadvantaged communities.

October 30, 2024 - Blavity

Mature jacaranda trees full of purple blooms on street in Los Angeles, California.

Addressing Tree Canopy Disparity in South Los Angeles

A new study highlights the complex challenge of addressing tree canopy disparities in South L.A., where historical environmental injustices, budget constraints, and competing community priorities hinder efforts to increase equitable tree coverage.

October 21, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Close-up of hand in white surgical glove holding up clear vial with water sample with lake surrounded by green trees in background.

Study: Lakes Near Communities of Color Less Inspected for Water Quality

The research is the first of its kind to analyze the relationship between freshwater monitoring and the race and ethnicity of nearby communities.

September 11, 2024 - MSU Today

Cheical plant with shite steam coming out of metal towers on riverbank in Louisiana.

Court Bars EPA Probes in Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley’

A federal court ruling effectively prevents the Environmental Protection Agency from pursuing civil rights claims in one of the nation’s most polluted regions.

September 4, 2024 - Inside Climate News

A factory smoke stack billows out black smoke into a blue sky.

‘Ground-Breaking’ Settlement Reached in Detroit Environmental Justice Case

Civil rights activists celebrate a legal settlement that will require the state of Michigan to prevent hazardous waste and other industrial facilities from disproportionately polluting lower income and predominantly Black and brown communities.

September 2, 2024 - Detroit Metro Times

Green oil well behind a fence next to a small street in California.

California Could Extend Oil Well Monitoring Deadlines

Legislators are considering extending the deadline for new oil well safety regulations by up to 54 months, sparking controversy over whether the delay benefits the oil industry at the expense of public health.

August 19, 2024 - CALmatters

Aerial view of large warehouse in neighborhood.

Playing With Numbers, Even for Environmental Justice, Isn't Justified

Environmental justice is an important issue, but does not justify playing with the numbers. But that's exactly what I found in a new study of the impacts of warehouses in New Jersey done by the Environmental Defense Foundation.

July 17, 2024 - Alan Mallach

View of green oil wells in a residential neighborhood in California.

Repurposing Oil Fields Into Parks: Advancing Just Transition and Community Well-being

The concept of a "just transition" extends beyond workers to encompass broader social and environmental dimensions, including the restoration and regeneration of land and communities affected by oil extraction activities.

June 28, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

"No 710" lawn sign on green lawn.

LA Metro Board Approves New 710 Freeway Plan

The newest plan for the 710 corridor claims it will not displace any residents.

April 22, 2024 - Streetsblog LA

Renewable Energy

Just Transition: Bringing Equity to the Clean Energy Conversation

A new report from the Environmental Defense Fund offers a roadmap for countries, energy companies, and other stakeholders to navigate the complexities of transitioning to clean energy while ensuring equity at every step of the process.

April 22, 2024 - Environmental Defense Fund

Cars passing through flooded street after Hurricane Sandy in New York City.

Nearly Half of New York City Burdened by Pollution

Communities of color make up the majority of people harmed by pollution, as well as heat and flooding, says the study, which is New York City’s first comprehensive survey of environmental injustices.

April 9, 2024 - The Guardian

Hazy view of Interstate 5 freeway in Los Angeles, California.

Study: Air Pollution Disproportionately Impacts Communities of Color

The negative effects of poor air quality occur at higher rates in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, according to new research.

March 7, 2024 - George Washington University

Close-up of bronze plaque on building with "United States Environmental Protection Agency" text.

EPA Releases Equity Action Plan

The agency is taking a more holistic approach to addressing environmental justice concerns.

March 6, 2024 - The Equation

Black woman speaking at podium with presentation screen in background.

Climate Justice Advocate Named One of TIME's Women of the Year

Jacqueline Patterson has dedicated her career to intersectional approaches to systems change and social and environmental justice.

March 4, 2024 - Time Magazine

Power plant infrastructure against a sky at dusk with a virtual white globe overlaid on top.

AI’s Growing Threat to Climate Justice

Emerging technologies like AI have great promise for climate innovation, but also a hidden environmental footprint could lead to disproportionate harm to low-income and marginalized communities.

February 28, 2024 - Brookings Institution

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.