Water
Great Lakes States Approve Water Deal
The eight states bordering on the five Great Lakes are about to come to an agreement about how the lakes' precious water is used and who can use it.
Chicago Alleys Go Permeable
As part of a plan to utilize the city's rainwater and recycle it back to lake Michigan, Chicago has been renovating its 13,00 alleys to become permeable surfaces, where rainwater can soak back into the ground. 40 alleys have been redone so far.
Too Much Power
High water levels are straining hydroelectric power generators in Oregon, where too much energy is being created.
U.S. Cities Going off the Bottle
The U.S. Conference of Mayors has resolved to phase out purchasing bottled water, not only for environmental reasons, but as a way of encouraging more financial support for municipal water systems.
Act, React, Repeat
Adaptation is a way of life. But we humans have been building our habitats and cities in pursuit of permanence. This is an unreachable goal. Making our cities and communities and lifestyles adapt to outside influences is typically an afterthought. We do tend to react, and we often react very effectively. But solving problems before they happen has never been a strong suit when it comes to urban development. This is especially true with regard to our impacts on the environment. A recent and bizarre example illustrates this point.
'Takings' Case Challenges Govt. Rights Over Federal Lands
A case over land rights in the West going back decades has been awarded to the estate of a deceased property rights activist, who contended that the Forest Service deprived his ranch of water.
Aging Water Infrastructure Worries Nashville Officials
This piece from NPR looks at water issues in Nashville, Tennessee, where local officials are trying to make the city's aging infrastructure a priority for voters.
Toilet-To-Tap: Getting Past The 'Yuck Factor'
As the cities in the arid Western United States face huge water shortages, officials and scientists are trying to convince the public that recycled wastewater can be clean and safe.
The Job Of Quenching Las Vegas' Thirst
With some predicting that this fast growing metropolis will run out of water within the decade, the head of the region's water authority has a tough job ahead.
An Alternative to the Water Bottle: Public Fountains
Awareness is increasing of the evils of the ubiquitous plastic water bottle. Elizabeth Royte suggests a solution- the return of the public fountain, a neglected staple of yesteryear.
Los Angeles Announces Plans To Recycle Wastewater For Drinking
Faced with increasing water shortages, Los Angeles Mayor Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has announced plans to recycle the city's sewage water to replenish drinking water qualifiers.
Behind the Scenes of Los Angeles
In this travelogue, Dwell tours the often-overlooked infrastructure that keeps the metropolis of Los Angeles running.
Building Water Slides in Drought Country
Water shortages have hammered the Atlanta region. But despite the drought, one real estate developer is planning to build a huge water park.
Thirsty Planet
Access to water is becoming increasingly tight in many parts of the world. This article from Wired looks at three thirsty regions and what they are doing to counteract the shortage.
Tapped Out
America is reaching the limits of its water supply, signaling a need to change urban development, energy and agricultural practices, writes Shiney Varghese of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.
Nation's Water Infrastructure Is Crumbling
Across the country, burst, leaking and corroding water mains are indications that much of the country's water infrastructure is reaching the end of its life expectancy. Repairs and replacements could cost hundreds of billions of dollars.
Imagining a Future Without Lake Mead
This article looks at what could happen if Nevada's reservoir Lake Mead actually does dry up by 2021 as some scientists have predicted.
Oh No, Not Another L.A.
Although Tucson has only about 6 percent of the population of metropolitan Los Angeles, residents of the Arizona city fear California-style sprawl and water problems. So where are Tucson residents looking for answers? That's right, California.
Drought Hurts Global Wheat Supplies
A severe drought in Australia has cut into the country's wheat production -- and pushed prices up all over the world.
States Respond to Growth With Dam Plans
Growth and rising populations have many Western states reconsidering dams.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
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
