World
Global issues, U.N., etc.
Water: Think Globally, Act Locally
The world is facing a water crisis, and existing development and management practices are only making it worse. This interview with water expert Peter Gleick looks at what's being done wrong and how it can be done right.
Park Walks Shown to Boost Memory and Attention
A new study shows that walks in the park are more beneficial than those on city streets, in terms of memory and attention. The natural scenery requires less direct attention, so it's sharper when needed next.
Hansen Asks England to Shut Down its Coal Plants
NASA's James Hansen takes his global warming message to England, telling them in no uncertain terms that they must stop their reliance on coal-derived electricity. He dismisses 'clean coal' and even 'carbon caps' if coal plants continue to operate.
Energy Revolution Needed To Solve Climate Change
Nobel laureate and new Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu is interviewed on what it will take to solve the climate change crisis - three major technological improvements plus carbon pricing. While no fan of coal, he acknowledges improvements are needed.
Cellulosic Ethanol a Reality
Cellulosic ethanol - biofuel produced from non-edible plant material - has been 'five years out' for a long time. Obstacles remain to mass production, but a handful of producers are up and running.
Reborn From the Crisis
In this thorough piece from The Atlantic, Richard Florida looks at the economic crisis facing the world, how it's affecting cities and regions, and how it will have a lasting effect on the U.S. -- in both good and bad ways.
What will the World be Like with Two Billion Cars?
Daniel Sperling, author of "Two Billion Cars: Driving Toward Sustainability" talks to Jon Stewart about the future of plug-in hybrid, fuel cell and electric vehicles.
Saudi Oil Minister Warns Against Moving Quickly to Alternative Energies
In a speech in Houston on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi expressed concern that too much emphasis on alternative energies would mean lack of funding for oil investments.
With Higher Densities Come Smaller Footprints
This article's author reports his and economist Matthew Kahn's recent findings on metropolitan areas and carbon emissions. As it turns out, living in a high density area is one of the best things one can do for the environment.
Unused Open Spaces
Korean photographer Hosang Park's recent series exposes tiny, unknown 'parks' that are attached to housing developments around the world.
How Much Space Do You Need?
Charles Platt uses CIA Factbook data on populations to create a visual representation of how much land there is per person in different nations.
Randal O'Toole asks, Dude, Where's My Driverless Car?
For decades, people have been talking about how driverless cars would make highway traffic a thing of the past. Randal O'Toole asks, where are they?
Google Earth Takes You Back In Time
In the new version of Google Earth, you can compare aerial imagery from the past with current development on the site.
The Aesthetic Dangers of Group Decisionmaking
In response to an essay on restricting outdoor advertising in L.A., designer and lawyer Lawrence Barth argues that putting these decisions into the hands of groups -- whether city- or activist-led -- can lead to unintended consequences.
A Look at the Cities of the Future
This slideshow from Treehugger offers visions of the future of cities -- from decades ago and today.
Drive Like an Ant, Eliminate Traffic
The patterns of leafcutter ants are not unlike vehicular traffic patterns, yet they never get stuck in traffic or get in accidents. This article shows what we can learn from them, and why we probably never will.
Visualizing the World's Dwindling Water Supply
As long as temperatures, population, and industrialization continue rising, the earth's water supply is in big trouble, as mapped here by German researchers.
What Future Awaits the Suburbs?
The suburbs are struggling right now, but they are still around, physically. Allison Arieff asks what will happen to them next?
Is The Age of the Robot Car Upon Us?
Brad Templeton, chairman of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, hopes that robot-driven cars will become commonplace on our roads in the next decade or two.
Google Earth Goes into the Deep Blue
New updates to the online visualization program Google Earth add oceans to the image-based virtual version of the planet.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Caltrans
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland
