Sustainability
Can New York City Go Green Without Renewable Rikers?
New York City’s bold proposal to close the jail on Rikers Island and replace it with green infrastructure is in jeopardy. Will this compromise the city’s ambitious climate goals?
‘Passive House’ Standard Gaining Ground in Multifamily Housing
Developers in Chicago and around the country are taking notice of a design standard that encourages energy efficiency and sustainable materials.
Nashville Adopts New Mass Timber Building Standards
Mass timber buildings up to 18 stories high will now be allowed in the Music City.
How Walkable ‘Activity Centers’ Can Reduce Driving
Encouraging mixed-use neighborhoods that help reduce vehicle miles driven and put urban amenities within easy walking distance is possible with surprisingly modest policy tweaks.
A Primer on Suburban Urbanism
How one master-planned development used lower-density urbanism principles to build a community focused on affordability, sustainability, and conservation.
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.
Planning for a Post-Climate World
A series of 19th century paintings that illustrates the rise and fall of empire highlights the limits of growth.
Washington Cities Balance Housing Development and Tree Canopy
Cities like Seattle and Bellingham are working to increase housing density while also preserving urban trees and green spaces.
The Link Between Circular Building, Affordability, and Sustainability
A growing movement seeks to reduce waste in the construction industry and focus on the long-term impact of building materials.
Los Angeles County Releases Updated Climate Action Plan
The revised plan reflects the county's commitment to fighting climate change and identifies strategies, measures, and actions to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from community activities and some municipal operations.
Madison Adopts ‘Complete Green Streets’ Plan
The new document consolidates the city’s Complete Streets projects with its sustainability plan, providing a flexible framework for comprehensive actions that focus on safety, sustainability, and equity.
What Is a 15-Minute City?
The buzzword recently popularized by urbanists describes an urban form that dominated cities prior to the rise of autocentric planning.
Chicago To Issue Climate Resilience Grants
Small businesses and nonprofits are eligible for a $5 million fund designed to help the city reach its emissions reduction goals.
Puget Sound Transportation Plan Fails to Meet Climate Targets
Agency staff says the Puget Sound regional long-range plan won’t achieve 2030 sustainability goals set by the state.
Report: Sustainability Goals Go Unmet in Many Global Cities
Cities around the world are failing to achieve progress toward their sustainability and public health goals, new research finds.
New Green Development Rules Take Effect in Austin
The city updated its development code to include more robust protection for local wetlands and stricter sustainable stormwater infrastructure requirements.
Seattle Planning Commission Urges Reimagining of the City’s Streets
In a set of recommendations submitted to the city, the commission calls for revised land use and transportation policies that reclaim public space from cars and shift focus away from vehicle throughput to more pedestrian-oriented uses.
Op-Ed: Michigan Needs a New Transportation Strategy
One writer calls on the state to stop expanding roads and channel funding to projects that support Michigan’s sustainability goals.
D.C. Regional Framework Emphasizes Equity, Connectivity
The Region United Framework for 2030 outlines a plan for sustainable, equitable development, calling for a 'holistic' approach to regional planning.
Why Urban Areas Need Increased Access to Recycling
In most residential areas across the United States, recycling is encouraged and offered as a way for residents to sustainably dispose of certain materials. But how many residents actually participate in their local recycling efforts?
Placer County
City of Morganton
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Dongguan Binhaiwan Bay Area Management Committee
City of Waukesha, WI
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Indiana Borough
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.
