United Nations
Studies: 2013 Worldwide Carbon Emissions Higher than Ever
World leaders gathering today in New York City for a United Nations climate summit will be greeted by the news that the world is doing worse than ever in reducing carbon emissions.
Worldwide Urbanization Reflected by Growth of Mega-Cities
A new report by the United Nations projects the growth of the world's urban population, which is expected to surpass six billion by 2045.
Agenda 21 Opponents Under the Microscope
Writing for Fortune magazine, David Morris examines the influence of the Anti-Agenda 21 movement, especially one of the movement's figureheads, Rosa Koire, who wrote the book "Behind the Green Mask: U.N. Agenda 21."
When is Density Beneficial in Disasters?
Comparing cities versus suburbs in disaster resiliency and recovery.
Arguing for City-Focused Sustainable Development Goals
Richard Florida joins the chorus calling for the United Nations to make “cities the centerpiece of its forthcoming Sustainable Development Goals.”
Air Pollution Kills 7 Million Annually
In September, 2011 the above title read two million. Figures from both years are based on reports from the World Health Organization, a United Nations agency. Is air quality getting worse, or are more deaths being attributed to air pollution?
Wanted: International Goals for Sustainable Urban Development
With the target dates for the Millennium Development Goals set for 2015, the United Nations has begun to create a new set "Sustainable Development Goals." Some are calling for the new goals to include an urban focus.
How Agenda 21 Trumps Planning
Agenda 21, a nonbinding United Nations resolution signed in 1992 by 170 world leaders, was developed to encourage "sustainable development." Now it’s a political talking point that kills planning efforts all over the country.
Michael Bloomberg's New International Roles on Cities and Climate Change
The former three-term New York City mayor, already president of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group has been appointed to a special United Nations envoy position on cities and climate change by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Can the UN's Goals of Expanding Energy Access While Curtailing Global Warming be Reconciled?
"The United Nations has set two huge energy-related goals for the coming century," says Brad Plumer. While bringing electricity to 1.3 billion people without it and curtailing fossil fuel use seem to be at odds, the U.N. has a plan to achieve both.
Climate Talks End With Agreement and Bewilderment
Annual United Nations climate change negotiations concluded in Doha over the weekend with an agreement to extend the "increasingly ineffective" Kyoto Protocol a few years, while pushing off a more ambitious replacement agreement.
World Climate Talks Convene As Emissions Rise
World climate talks convened in oil and gas-rich Qatar on Monday, and many eyes have turned to the U.S. Will it be receptive to a climate treaty in light of the devastation reaped on the Northeast by Superstorm Sandy? Can the world agree to a treaty?
When It Comes to Conservation, the Tables Slowly Turn in the Global North-South Divide
Announced at a recent United Nations summit on biodiversity, India’s pledge of $50 million to assist developing countries with conservation efforts marks a significant shift in the way environmental protection is funded worldwide.
Banks Seek to Apply a Green Polish to Their Reputations
Bank of America is one of a handful of major banks to pump money into green initiatives, where they see an opportunity for new capital and a chance to improve their images.
Why Tea Party Criticism Should Matter to Planners
Andrew H. Whittemore contends that planners dismiss the far-fetched theories of a grand United Nations sustainability conspiracy at their own peril.
A Shift of Attention to Local Planning Policies by the Tea Party Becomes National News
The 'lamestream media' picks up the story of Tea Party activists railing against efforts to control sprawl and conserve energy.
Thinking About Sustainability on a Global Scale
In an opinion piece, noted economist Jeffrey Sachs explores what it will take to achieve the 'triple bottom line' of sustainable development, which the UN puts at the top of the global agenda.
Property Rights, Growth Boundaries Issues at Long-Range Planning Meeting
Locals expressed fear and resistance over a revision to Chattanooga, Tennessee's urban growth plan.
N.Y. Exhibition Celebrates Collaborative Design
A new exhibition curated by the Cooper-Hewitt in New York illustrates how the design community is trying to reshape itself as more collaborative than 'pedagogic or paternalistic.'
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
