River Restoration

Chicago River

A Bold Plan to Swim in Chicago's Rivers by 2030

Chicago Mayor Rah Emanuel and the Metropolitan Planning Council announced the "Our Great Rivers" plan this week.

August 19, 2016 - Chicago Tribune

Concrete Stormwater

Study Considers the End of Concrete in Houston's White Oak Bayou

The White Oak Bayou in Houston joins a growing list of urban watersheds that could be freed from its concrete shackles.

July 13, 2016 - Houston Chronicle

Los Angeles River

Gehry's Plans for Los Angeles River Restoration Gaining Clarity

Details are emerging in the controversial effort by Gehry Partners, LLP to plan a new vision for the Los Angeles River. So far, however, Gehry Partners seems to have been listening more than plotting or drawing.

June 20, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Klamath River Dam Removal Moves Ahead Without Congressional Approval

A lack of Congressional approval almost killed a controversial dam removal project on the Klamath River in Oregon and California. The states and the Interior Department have found a way to proceed.

April 7, 2016 - Associated Press via The Register-Guard

Los Angeles Downtown River

Gehry Partners Opens Up on Los Angeles River Progress

When Frank Gehry's involvement in the L.A. River restoration was announced in August 2015, the firm had already been conducting research on the project for nearly a year. For some time after that, details were scant and speculation abounded.

February 29, 2016 - The Planning Report

Lack of Congressional Support Kills Landmark Klamath River Deal

There might not be a drawing board to go back to after an agreement that would have removed four dams along the Klamath River died in Congress.

January 13, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Rowing for Restoration on Cleveland's Cuyahoga River

A group of passionate rowers deserve some of the credit in the remarkable comeback story of Cleveland's Cuyahoga River.

October 24, 2015 - Next City

California's Largest Dam Removal Underway in Monterey County

Even in an epic drought, the long-awaited commencement of the $83 million San Clemente Dam removal project is welcomed as the obsolete dam posed a safety threat to downstream communities and provided very little water due to tremendous silt build-up.

August 11, 2015 - Monterey Herald

Cities Relearning Their Relationships with Rivers

As the country's industrial past fades, cities are finding new meaning in their rivers—from the meandering to the mighty.

June 1, 2015 - ASLA The Dirt

Cost of River Restoration Project Rising Quickly in Los Angeles

Questions are emerging about the funding equation for an ambitious $1 billion proposal to improve 11 miles of the Los Angeles River through some of the most urban parts of the city.

March 26, 2015 - Los Angeles Times

Lesson in Reduced Expectations: Dallas’ Trinity Lakes Plan

Like so many visionary plans for the restoration of public space, Dallas’ original intentions for the Trinity Lakes plan might have been “just a bunch of pretty pictures.”

February 26, 2014 - Dallas Morning News

Putting the 'Rapids' Back in Grand Rapids

After more than a century of altering the flow of the Grand River, Grand Rapids' namesake whitewater has been largely eliminated. A new proposal backed by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder would "put the rapids back in Grand Rapids."

February 18, 2013 - The Detroit News

L.A. River: From Afterthought to Asset

With strong advocates in Washington and in City Hall, planning continues for an ambitious multi-billion dollar effort to overhaul the Los Angeles River and its relationship to the city.

January 11, 2012 - Planning

Tribe Appeals For Removal Of Dams

Dams have been decimating the population of salmon in Northern California's Klamath River for years, and now Native Americans who depend on the salmon are traveling to visit the owner of the dams to appeal for their removal.

April 27, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Dams And Power May Be Sacrificed For Salmon

To help save endangered salmon, officials are considering making costly improvements to dams on the Klamath River in California and Oregon. Removing the dams would cost less than fixing them, but removal forfeits hydroelectric power production.

February 1, 2007 - Los Angeles Times

Trinity River Restoration Finally On Track

Plans for the California river finally overcome all obstacles.

May 19, 2005 - Los Angeles Times

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.

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