Planetizen

Jail the Planners for Not Preventing Sandy!

Jonathan Nettler — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Jail the Planners for Not Preventing Sandy! Jonathan Nettler Mon, 11/05/2012 - 15:00 5 minutes

Planning Education: Striking a Better Balance

Jonathan Nettler — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Planning Education: Striking a Better Balance Jonathan Nettler Wed, 10/31/2012 - 16:00 18 minutes

Are Amoeba-Shaped Cities More Likely To Go Bankrupt?

Jonathan Nettler — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Are Amoeba-Shaped Cities More Likely To Go Bankrupt? Jonathan Nettler Mon, 10/01/2012 - 17:00 6 minutes

A Brave New World: How Apps Are Changing Planning

Jonathan Nettler — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 23:00:00 +0000

A Brave New World: How Apps Are Changing Planning Jonathan Nettler Tue, 09/04/2012 - 16:00 9 minutes

Idaho Bills Limit New Bike Lanes, Sidewalks

Diana Ionescu — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Idaho Bills Limit New Bike Lanes, Sidewalks Diana Ionescu Wed, 07/30/2025 - 09:00

Primary Image

Primary Image Caption

Cyclists in front of the Idaho State Capitol.

Two new Idaho laws limit when and where cities in Ada County, which includes Boise, can build bike lanes and sidewalks, reports James Knight in Cycling West. “The new bills essentially say that bike lanes and pedestrian facilities can only be improved upon or added to a highway project if they provide a secondary benefit to the project, or are near schools or parks, or if there are federal regulations requiring such action.” Lawmakers who don’t follow these rules can be fined or even imprisoned. Knight notes that the bills were proposed by politicians from outside the county itself.

In a statement in March, the Boise Bicycle Project said the laws “tie the hands of public servants who want to prioritize safety” and “prioritize motor vehicle movement over people’s lives.”

Geography

Idaho

Category

Infrastructure

Transportation

Tags

Publication

Cycling West

Publication Date

Sat, 07/26/2025 - 12:00

Publication Links

Idaho Passes Bills Hampering Bike Lane Construction

1 minute

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

Diana Ionescu — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker Diana Ionescu Wed, 07/30/2025 - 08:00 28 minutes

The Osage Nation’s Effort to Clean Up Abandoned Oil Wells

Clement Lau — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 14:00:00 +0000

The Osage Nation’s Effort to Clean Up Abandoned Oil Wells Clement Lau Wed, 07/30/2025 - 07:00

Primary Image

The Osage Nation is undertaking a large-scale effort to identify and plug orphaned and abandoned oil wells across its reservation in Oklahoma, addressing environmental hazards left behind after decades of oil production. With over $19 million in federal grant funding, the Nation’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has verified thousands of well records and begun sealing wells that pose risks to groundwater and air quality. These wells often leak methane and saltwater, contaminating aquifers and damaging ecosystems, including areas marked by brine scars where native grasses can no longer grow.

Responsibility for cleaning up the wells is unclear. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), oil producers, and tribal authorities all play roles, but none claim full accountability. As reported by Allison Herrera, this ambiguity has caused tension between the Osage Nation and the Osage Minerals Council, which previously led its own plugging program. While the Minerals Council has voiced concerns that viable wells could be prematurely decommissioned, the DNR insists that careful checks are in place to ensure only nonproductive wells are sealed. Permitting delays and legal complexities have also slowed progress.

Beyond plugging wells, the DNR is also working to remediate contaminated land and restore environmental integrity. The long-term goal is to protect Osage resources and attract new, responsible producers to invest in the reservation’s oil fields. For many in the Nation, including longtime oilman-turned-field inspector James DeRoin, the effort is deeply personal—a full-circle journey from extraction to restoration.

Although only a small fraction of the estimated orphaned wells have been plugged so far, the effort reflects a broader vision of healing the land, safeguarding public health, and reclaiming sovereignty over Osage territory. The task is daunting, but as team members emphasize, it all begins with cleaning up what was left behind.

Geography

Oklahoma

Category

Community / Economic Development

Energy

Environment

Government / Politics

History / Preservation

Infrastructure

Land Use

Tags

Publication

Osage News

Publication Date

Mon, 07/28/2025 - 12:00

Publication Links

Who's responsible for cleaning up abandoned oil wells on the Osage Reservation?

2 minutes

Knoxville Ranked Best US City for People With Disabilities

Diana Ionescu — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Knoxville Ranked Best US City for People With Disabilities Diana Ionescu Wed, 07/30/2025 - 06:00

Primary Image

An analysis by Trajector Medical highlights the U.S. cities most accessible to people with disabilities, with Knoxville, Tennessee taking the top spot.

According to the ranking, the top performing cities “offer exceptional access to wheelchair-friendly rentals, accessible buildings, special education teachers, job opportunities, public transit and Medicare services.” By category, Atlanta ranks first in accessibility, Toledo, Ohio ranks first in affordability, and Cincinnati ranks first in healthcare.

Despite the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, many public and private spaces in the United States continue to pose accessibility challenges to people with reduced mobility, hearing or vision impairment, or other disabilities. “Paralyzed Veterans of America reports that more than one-third of people with mobility disabilities miss important events and appointments due to access barriers.” Added challenges include high housing costs and limited access to well-paying jobs, wheelchair-friendly facilities and vehicles, specially trained teachers, and healthcare.

According to the analysis, “Adopting inclusive technologies and addressing less visible needs—like sensory and cognitive accommodation is also crucial to increasing accessibility for those with disabilities.”

Geography

United States

Category

Infrastructure

Social / Demographics

Tags

Publication

Trajector Medical

Publication Date

Wed, 07/16/2025 - 12:00

Publication Links

Trajector Medical’s Best Cities for People with Disabilities

1 minute

FTA Allows Changes to Low or No Emission Grant Proposals

Diana Ionescu — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000

FTA Allows Changes to Low or No Emission Grant Proposals Diana Ionescu Wed, 07/30/2025 - 05:00

Primary Image

Primary Image Caption

A hybrid transit bus in New York City.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has adjusted the terms of the Low or No Emission grant program to allow for more low-emission vehicles.

According to an article in Mass Transit, “U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Sean Duffy says he made the announcement after hearing from various agencies and stakeholders about the limitations and challenges that can come with zero-emissions technology.” Grant recipients can alter their proposals to change zero-emission projects to low-emission projects.

The FTA says the new grant structure will provide more flexibility for cities and transit agencies seeking to transition to a zero-emission fleet.

Geography

United States

Category

Energy

Transportation

Tags

Publication

Mass Transit

Publication Date

Tue, 07/29/2025 - 12:00

Publication Links

FTA updates requirements for Low-No bus grant recipients

1 minute

A Vision for the Future: LA County Releases Draft Sustainability Plan

Clement Lau — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 18:00:00 +0000

A Vision for the Future: LA County Releases Draft Sustainability Plan Clement Lau Tue, 07/29/2025 - 11:00

Primary Image

The Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office (CSO) has released the draft 2025 OurCounty Sustainability Plan. Building on the original 2019 Plan, this update reflects the voices of thousands of residents and other stakeholders who participated through community workshops, individual meetings, and a countywide survey. The draft Plan advances ambitious goals around climate resilience, equity, biodiversity, housing, and more — grounded in what communities across the County said matters most.

OurCounty outlines what local governments and partners can do to enhance the well-being of every community in the County while reducing damage to the natural environment and adapting to the changing climate, particularly focusing on those communities that have been disproportionately burdened by environmental pollution. This plan envisions streets and parks that are accessible, safe, and welcoming to everyone; air, water, and soil that are clean and healthy; affordable housing that enables all residents to thrive in place; climate ready communities that are informed and prepared with infrastructure that supports them today and in a changing climate; and a just economy that runs on renewable energy instead of fossil fuels.

The public is invited to review and comment on the draft Plan now through Friday, August 22. To help stakeholders better understand the Plan’s content and how to engage, the CSO will host a public webinar on Thursday, August 7 at 10:00 a.m. (register here). Feedback can be submitted using this form, or by emailing: sustainability@cso.lacounty.gov. Please visit the project website to learn more.

Geography

California

Category

Community / Economic Development

Energy

Environment

Government / Politics

History / Preservation

Housing

Infrastructure

Land Use

Social / Demographics