Trees
What's a Tree Worth?
The U.S. Forest Service has continued to refine the valuable i-Tree software program, which allows cities to calculate the benefits, in dollar figures, of the urban forest.
Meeting the Challenge of Sustainable Infrastructure
As more and more people live on this planet, the pressure to build smart cities that feature environmentally sustainable infrastructure will become immense. Planners will be challenged to do more with less. Here's a discussion of this complex issue.
Cities Preparing for the Worst as the Emerald Ash Borer Comes to Town
A tiny insect, native to Asia, has been killing trees in huge numbers around the United States since 2002. With the emerald ash borer expected to spread, cities are trying to prepare to combat the worst of the devastation.
How Neighborhood Trees Improve Public Health
New research reveals more of the details of how trees provide therapeutic effects for humans.
Op-Ed Calls Density the 'Mortal Enemy of Trees'—Debate Ensues
A surprising argument from an article in Seattle publication Crosscut this week: density is the mortal enemy of trees.
Finding New Ways to Protect Trees in Rapidly Developing Cities
Citizens in developing corners of the world are prioritizing green infrastructure as they struggle to deal with the environmental consequences of rapid growth.
Take Care of Trees (They Take Care of You)
New research suggests that trees offer a "layer of protection" for cardiovascular disease.
Friday Funny: The Onion Discovers New Gentrification Indicators
The satirical site The Onion has been consistently roasting the contemporary conversation about urban living.
On the 'Tree Wealth' of the World's Countries
A closer look at the data of a study revealing the number of trees on the planet shows several ways to compare and contrast the relative resources, in the form of trees, of countries around the world.
Technology Enables a New Understanding of the World's 3.04 Trillion Trees
A news study, combining satellite imagery and field study, dramatically increases the estimated trees in the world. What has not changed: how quickly humans are killing those trees off.
Trees Dying by the Millions During California's Drought
A U.S. Forest Service survey has revealed the high costs of the California drought to one of the state's most treasured features: its sprawling forests.
How Urban Ugliness Increases Stress
The definition of blight may be in the eye of the beholder, but it may also be subconscious. Broken windows, abandoned buildings, and weed-filled yards may actually create stress and degrade health, according to a small study out of Philadelphia.
The Red Cedar: a Resilient and Adaptive Urban Pioneer
Dave Taft pens an ode to the merits of the red cedar—a common tree in New York City and dry, empty lots all over the East.
Trees are Good for People—and Vice Versa
Sarah Laskow reports on recent research on the surprisingly two-way connection between the happiness of urban trees and the happiness of urban humans.
When Will Dallas Update its Tree Ordinance?
A guest column in the Dallas Morning News takes the Dallas political machine to task for delaying a new tree ordinance.
Gov-Elect Abbott Says Local Regulations 'California-ize' Texas
Texas Gov.-elect Greg Abbott takes aim at local regulations, exemplified by tree-cutting bans in cities like Houston and San Antonio.
Trees In Urban Design: Are You Planting a Liability or Growing an Asset?
Trees are a vital element of urban design, one that must considered at every stage of planning, design and development.
How Los Angeles' Urban Parks Battle Climate Change
An overview of how Los Angeles County’s Department of Parks and Recreation is creating projects that tackle the effects of climate change, by planner Clement Lau.
The Cambridge Tree Map Provides Data on Blossoms and Pollen
"What does a city look like drawn in trees?" Cambridge, Massachusetts recently released an exhaustive database of all the trees on public property around the city.
Cities Map—and Track Benefits—of Urban Forest
OpenTreeMap allows cities to inventory trees and see the environmental and economic benefits.
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
