Water Conservation

View from shore of Sepulveda Basin water catchment basin with marsh plants along shore.

LA’s ‘Spongy’ Infrastructure Captured Almost 9 Billion Gallons of Water

The city is turning away from stormwater management practices that shuttle water to the ocean, building infrastructure that collects and directs it underground instead.

February 25, 2024 - Wired

Google street view of wide grassy median in Beverly Hills, California.

Beverly Hills Installs First ‘Green Street’

A three-block median featuring native plants and bioswales is part of the city’s broader effort to reduce water consumption and pollution.

February 22, 2024 - Beverly Press

Aerial view of blue Canyon Lake reservoir beach in Texas on sunny day.

Texas Reservoirs Reach Dangerous Lows

In some parts of the state, water officials have cut off releases that maintain estuaries and other key coastal habitats.

February 5, 2024 - Wired

Paved rural road in developing country with water on either side.

‘Green Roads for Water’ Meshes Transportation With Water Conservation

Simple, sometimes ancient designs can transform roadways into environmental conservation tools.

December 29, 2023 - Wired

Aerial view of Gillespie Bridge with metal framing and black rock mesa in background in Gillespie, Arizona.

Gila River Canal Project Pairs Water Conservation With Solar Energy

Local leaders view the first solar panel-covered water canal in the Western Hemisphere as a ‘major win’ for Indigenous water sovereignty.

December 13, 2023 - The Independent

View of Tucson, Arizona at sunset with two saguaro cacti in foreground.

Zoning Driving Housing Costs, Water Consumption in Arizona

Regulations that prohibit multifamily housing and smaller lot sizes contribute to a growing gulf between housing supply and demand.

December 12, 2023 - Pew

Entrance sign for Big Bend National Park, West Texas.

West Texas Growth Prompts Water Supply Concerns

Small desert communities are looking for ways to conserve water as their tourist and resident populations grow.

November 28, 2023 - The Daily Yonder

Drought tolerant desert plants including large agaves in the front yard of a Spanish-style Southern California home with red tile roof.

California Agency Awards $38 Million for Turf Replacement

The grant funds grass replacement rebates for commercial and residential properties and water-saving devices for fire stations.

November 16, 2023 - Governing

"Severe Drought - Conserve Water" freeway sign.

Wet Summer Pulls California Out of Drought

The entire state is drought-free for the first time in years.

November 10, 2023 - KTLA

Aerial view of Buckeye, Arizona with sunset sky.

Arizona Town Looks for New Water Sources, Insists Development ‘Full Steam Ahead’

While many Southwest cities are looking for ways to conserve water and limit growth as water supplies become strained, one town is pressing ahead with rapid development.

October 29, 2023 - The Guardian

Aerial view of Tempe, Arizona with mountains in background

‘Tempe Tomorrow’ Plans for Expected Population Growth

Tempe planners are preparing a General Plan update scheduled for voter approval in March 2024.

August 24, 2023 - Daily Independent

Sign about water purification process mounted on water treatment plant in Santa Clara, California

A Model for Wastewater Recycling in San Francisco

Decentralized wastewater recycling systems take water conservation a step further by reducing the need for external infrastructure and keeping water recycling and reuse -in-house.’

June 23, 2023 - Wired

View of green carrot field against backdrop of arid Southwest mountains

Southwest Coming to Grips With Water Crisis

Will banning lawns and limiting water use be enough as new communities continue to sprout up across the drying west?

June 20, 2023 - Circle of Blue

View of Colorado River from top of Hoover Dam with concrete column on left

The New Colorado River Deal: An Explainer

According to one analyst, the agreement approved by the states doesn’t go nearly far enough to protect the river in the long term.

May 28, 2023 - The Land Desk

"Bathtub ring" showing low water level on red rocks at Lake Powell, Arizona

States Reach Consensus on Colorado River Deal

The seven states along the Colorado River basin are in agreement over proposed water cuts over the next three years to preserve dangerously low reservoirs.

May 24, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

View of Colorado River winding through canyon in red rock cliffs against lightly cloudy blue sky

Lower Basin States Closer to Agreement on Colorado River

After a year of contentious negotiations, Western states dependent on the river’s water supply are nearing a deal that would reduce water use significantly over the next three years.

May 22, 2023 - The Washington Post

Front yard landscaped with native plants and flowers

Opinion: The Time for ‘Yard Reform’ is Now

Replacing lawns with native plants and grasses saves water and improves biodiversity, but some cities make the practice illegal.

April 18, 2023 - Next City

Town of St. George, Utah with small white church and red rock cliffs in background

Can Southwest Utah’s Water Supply Handle its Explosive Growth?

A remote corner of the state is the nation’s fastest-growing metro area, but concerns about water supplies across the Southwest signal an uncertain future.

March 5, 2023 - CNN

Water SUpply

California Rejects Six-State Colorado River Plan, Proposes Its Own

State officials claim a proposal agreed upon by the other six states using Colorado River water disproportionately impacts California farmers.

February 1, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Aerial view of Central Arizona Project water canal through desert landscape

Arizona Governor Takes Steps to Modernize Water Policy

A newly released report warns of rapidly dwindling groundwater resources as developers plan to build hundreds of thousands of new homes.

January 26, 2023 - Inside Climate News

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.