Environment

Palm trees on Santa Barbara beach against the red glow of a wildfire

California Considers Climate Resiliency Bond for 2024 Ballot

The proposed state general obligation bond would address the need to protect communities and natural resources from the impacts of climate change.

July 3, 2023 - California Local

View of snowy San Gabriel Mountains from the Mojave desert

Growing Support for Expanding the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument

Members of Congress are proposing an expansion to the national monument by over 109,000 acres, increasing its size by nearly a third.

July 3, 2023 - NBC4.TV News

People walking on crowded New York City sidewalk

A Fair Share for Walking

Most people value walkability, yet most communities underinvest in pedestrian facilities. Some jurisdictions are investing more in sidewalks and crosswalks in order to better serve community values.

July 3, 2023 - Todd Litman

Sunset or sunrise view of coastal wetlands in Louisiana

Louisiana Approves Coastal Restoration Master Plan

The latest update to a state-mandated coastal protection and restoration plan calls for wetlands restoration and new levees to protect communities from flooding.

June 30, 2023 - Governing

Male cyclists wearing helmet, sunglasses, and N95 mask stands with arms crossed in front of his bike

Wildfire Smoke Takes Toll on Bike Commuters

How can people on bikes protect their lungs from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke?

June 30, 2023 - Momentum Magazine

Person on mountain bike biking on trail in Colorado with mountains in background

‘Queer Byke Brigade’ Wants to Make the Outdoors More Inclusive

A Colorado group of bike enthusiasts is creating a safe, welcoming outdoor space for LGBTQ+ people in Montezuma County.

June 29, 2023 - The Daily Yonder

Fenced off vacant lot in Los Angeles

Improving Communities With Pocket Parks

Construction begins for a new pocket park in Westmont, an underserved unincorporated community in Los Angeles County.

June 28, 2023 - Urbanize LA

Aerial view of Marina del Rey, California, the world's second largest man-made marina

Reimagining Marina del Rey

Los Angeles County is conducting a community needs assessment and planning effort to re-envision and remove barriers to accessing Marina del Rey as a vibrant waterfront destination for all.

June 28, 2023 - Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors

Tree stump in an urban sidewalk

The Maintenance Gap in Tree Planting Programs

Tree planting is a highly visible way to show investment in a community, but without regular maintenance, street trees can become a nuisance rather than a benefit.

June 28, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Stormwater Infrastructure

50 Years Later: Anacostia River to Welcome Swimmers

The Washington, D.C. region has accomplished a major environmental victory, cleaning up the Anacostia River enough for humans to swim in for the first time in five decades.

June 28, 2023 - WJLA

Close-up of hands holding mobile phone up to a plant to take a photo

Connecting with Nature Through Your Phone

During this year’s international City Nature Challenge, tens of thousands of people across the world went outside to take photos, document, and identify animal and plant species in their communities.

June 27, 2023 - PBS News Hour

Man in blue jacket photographs birds outdoors with zoom lens

The Importance of Community Scientists

Community science mobilizes the public to work alongside scientists to help answer questions about the world. Learn about the valuable contributions of community scientists in Hawai'i.

June 26, 2023 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Aerial view of beach homes in Galveston, Texas

Looking for a Beach House? Check Your Risk First.

A new report from the insurance industry names the historic town of Galveston, Texas as the riskiest place to buy a beach house in the United States.

June 26, 2023 - Houston Chronicle

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

Fire burning on hillside behind house in Azusa, California

Can Insurance Woes Finally End Sprawl?

Environmental risks are becoming too much for the home insurance industry to bear. Could this be the first signs of the collapse and reversal of sprawling land use patterns?

June 22, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Sandbags stacked in front of a red door on a brick building with ground in front flooded with water

Study: FEMA Buyout Program Could be Accelerating Segregation

A new analysis of the relocation patterns of households that participate in FEMA’s flood buyout program reveals a pattern of increased racial segregation.

June 22, 2023 - Grist

Red "Unstable Cliffs - Stay Back" sign on tall Pacific coast cliff

Coastal Climate Resilience to Receive $2.6 Billion Federal Investment

The Biden Administration announced the second massive investment of federal funds for coastal resilience on June 6. The Inflation Reduction Act allocated $3.3 billion to NOAA. In March, the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act added $562 billion.

June 21, 2023 - The Hill

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

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

NRDC: Saving Transit is ‘Essential Climate Strategy’

Supporting California’s public transit systems is key to fighting climate change and boosting the state’s economy.

June 20, 2023 - Natural Resources Defense Council

Fly fisherman standing in small creek in Colorado surrounded by trees

Colorado Supreme Court Denies Access to Riverbeds

The state doesn’t seem ready to reverse its famously restrictive aquatic access policies anytime soon.

June 19, 2023 - High Country News

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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.