NYU | Urban Lab

This article discusses a trend among companies to reduce or alter the visibility of their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals in their annual ... continue reading

The article discusses the growing interest in underground thermal energy networks, specifically geothermal energy systems, as a sustainable method for heating and cooling buildings. ... continue reading

The article explores the growing trend of electrifying public transportation across the United States, spurred by significant funding from the 2021 infrastructure bill. It ... continue reading

The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation is actively seeking innovative ideas to transform a large, vacant building within its industrial complex into a hub ... continue reading

The New York state budget for fiscal year 2025, announced by Governor Kathy Hochul, encompasses a wide array of policies, notably including a significant ... continue reading

The Greek government has introduced a new policy to safeguard 198 “untrodden beaches” by restricting commercial activities like bars and restaurants and banning large ... continue reading

The Biden administration has implemented new federal protections for millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness, blocking oil, gas, and mining operations in areas like ... continue reading

The article discusses the challenges faced by the U.S. solar industry, particularly the impact of a surge in cheap solar panel imports from China, ... continue reading

Scotland, once a leader in setting ambitious climate targets, has found its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030 unachievable. The ... continue reading

The article reports on the Bezos Earth Fund’s continued financial support for the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which helps companies set environmental targets ... continue reading

The article explores an innovative approach to energy storage where hydrogen, produced using renewable energy sources like wind and solar, is stored in massive ... continue reading

New York’s first all-electric skyscraper, 505 State Street in Brooklyn, marks a significant shift towards sustainable urban development. Developed by Alloy Development, the building ... continue reading

The Biden administration has introduced a new rule to prioritize conservation alongside other uses such as grazing, energy development, and mining on the nation’s ... continue reading

The article addresses a severe drought in Southern Africa, exacerbated by El Niño, that is devastating communities across several countries including Malawi, Zambia, and ... continue reading

The article discusses the significant financial shortfall in addressing climate change needs in developing countries, estimated at $1 trillion annually. It highlights ongoing discussions ... continue reading

The article discusses the unusual heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding in Dubai, which scientists attribute to unusually hot ocean temperatures influenced by climate change ... continue reading

The article reports on a study revealing that significant land subsidence is occurring in 16% of China’s major cities, largely due to development and ... continue reading

In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a new housing framework aiming to address the state’s housing shortage through revised policies, despite facing ... continue reading

The New York City Council approved zoning changes that pave the way for casino development in selected commercial and manufacturing areas of the city, ... continue reading

The article explores how Islamic leaders in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, are integrating environmentalism with religious practices to combat climate change. Clerics ... continue reading

The article examines the increasing trend of linking CEO compensation to climate-related goals among S&P 500 companies, a practice that has more than doubled ... continue reading

In 2019, Waco, Texas became a central hub for patent litigation in the United States, largely due to the efforts of federal judge Alan ... continue reading

China’s economy has shown better-than-expected growth, achieving a 5.3% increase in GDP in the first quarter of 2024, surpassing the government’s target of around ... continue reading

The U.S. Interior Department is expected to reject a proposal for a 211-mile industrial road through Alaska’s wilderness, intended to access a significant copper ... continue reading

The article examines the emerging trend of incorporating batteries into home appliances, enabling them to operate during power outages and potentially support the electrical ... continue reading

Al Gore, speaking at a leadership conference hosted by his Climate Reality Project, expressed optimism about the triumph of climate activism over political adversaries ... continue reading

The article reports on a severe global coral bleaching event, the most extensive on record, driven by unusually high ocean temperatures. This event, identified ... continue reading

Inflation has been ubiquitous in all conversation related to the economy; it has now found itself in talks regarding rents. Shelter inflation – deemed ... continue reading

The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Switzerland violated its citizens’ human rights by not taking sufficient action to combat climate change, marking ... continue reading

As cities such as San Francisco and Chicago struggle to save and rebuild their once bustling downtowns, the city of St. Louis serves a ... continue reading

New York State legislators are in negotiations over the state budget, which was due on April 1, 2024 but have stretched on for more ... continue reading

Julio Florencio Teo Gomez, a carpenter from Guatemala City, was a day laborer in Long Island’s East End. Despite finding work during the landscaping ... continue reading

The acceptance of graffiti as a form of art has transformed once-overlooked neighborhoods into trendy destinations, attracting developers, businesses, and brands seeking to capitalize ... continue reading

A recent report from the Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice in New York City reveals the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by low-income ... continue reading

Efforts to engineer solutions to combat climate change are gaining momentum, with projects ranging from direct air capture plants to solar radiation modification trials. ... continue reading

Negotiations for a housing deal in New York State are underway, aiming to address the housing crisis. Three main factions, representing tenants, landlords, and ... continue reading

Shohei Ohtani’s arrival as a two-way superstar for the Los Angeles Dodgers has stirred excitement among fans, including Japanese Americans who see him as ... continue reading

Aaron Peskin, president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, is entering the mayoral race as a progressive challenger to Mayor London Breed. While ... continue reading

Journalist Hiroko Tabuchi embarked on a cross-country train journey from New York to Stanford University, aiming to reduce her carbon footprint compared to flying. ... continue reading

Luxury train travel in Japan offers a unique way to experience the country’s culture and countryside while enjoying top-notch service and accommodations. The Seven ... continue reading

New Jersey has filed a lawsuit against New York’s congestion pricing program, arguing that it lacks sufficient consideration of the environmental impacts on neighboring ... continue reading

Scientists conducted the first outdoor test in the United States of technology aimed at brightening clouds to reflect sunlight and temporarily cool the planet. ... continue reading

Efforts to engineer the Earth’s atmosphere through geoengineering technologies are gaining traction, driven by worsening climate change and insufficient reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. ... continue reading

https://www.wsj.com/articles/construction-firms-go-circular-as-they-try-to-meet-demand-for-greener-office-buildings-66bd4c90

A new super PAC called Abundant New York has been formed by housing advocates to support political candidates who favor increased housing development in ... continue reading

The article discusses a new initiative by the Biden administration aimed at revitalizing America’s emerging offshore wind industry, which faced setbacks from inflation and ... continue reading

Electreon, an Israeli startup, is pioneering the development of wireless charging technology for electric vehicles (EVs), capable of charging vehicles as they drive. This ... continue reading

Dr. Jeremy Freeman discusses the growing momentum around solar geoengineering as a potential solution to combat climate change. Despite once being taboo, the idea ... continue reading

The recent subway shooting in Brooklyn has intensified New Yorkers’ concerns about safety underground, with some questioning the effectiveness of increased law enforcement measures, ... continue reading

The organizers of the Paris Olympics are implementing various measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change during the event. They aim ... continue reading

The article, “Private Developers Explore Affordable Housing Without Public Funds” by Christine Mai-Duc and Will Parker, published on March 16, 2024, by The Wall ... continue reading

A federal court has temporarily halted new Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) rules requiring public companies to disclose more about their climate change-related business risks. ... continue reading

Governor Kathy Hochul’s deployment of 1,000 National Guard members and State Police to patrol New York City’s subway system aims to address public safety ... continue reading

The demand for electricity in the United States, which had remained stable for two decades, is now surging due to factors such as the ... continue reading

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (ExIm) approved $500 million in financing for an oil and gas project in Bahrain, despite criticism that ... continue reading

Actor Ed Begley Jr., known for his advocacy of environmentalism, continued his tradition of taking public transportation to the Oscars this year, accompanied by ... continue reading

Brazil faces a significant dilemma as its state-owned oil company, Petrobras, plans to become the world’s third-largest oil producer by 2030, despite the country’s ... continue reading

A recent study published in Nature reveals that oil and gas producers in major fields across the United States may be emitting three times ... continue reading

Despite a general boom in corporate bond issuance, the market for sustainability-linked bonds, which adjust interest rates based on ESG goal achievement, has significantly ... continue reading

Adam Met, a member of the pop band AJR, has proposed a novel approach to expedite the development of wind and solar projects in ... continue reading

Health care systems and affordable housing developers are increasingly collaborating to address community health and housing needs. Projects like HC3 in New Orleans demonstrate ... continue reading

The YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) movement, traditionally associated with liberal urban areas, is now gaining traction across ideological lines, with both Democrats and ... continue reading

New York state leaders are grappling with a housing crisis by proposing a mix of new and old ideas. Among them is the revival ... continue reading

The Adams administration in New York City is collaborating with the Building and Construction Trades Council and Cirrus Real Estate Partners to launch a ... continue reading

The Adams administration’s proposal to rezone 42 blocks of Midtown’s outdated industrial zones into mixed-use spaces is set to create around 4,000 new homes, ... continue reading

During his State of the Union address, President Biden emphasized the urgency of addressing the climate crisis, contrasting his approach with that of former ... continue reading

Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to deploy National Guard members, State Police, and additional officers to patrol New York City subway stations, assisting with bag ... continue reading

Uber has entered a pioneering partnership with Revel to utilize the latter’s electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across New York City at discounted rates, ... continue reading

The article explores the burgeoning interest in cryptocurrency mining in Africa, driven by the continent’s rich renewable energy resources and the quest for low-cost ... continue reading

President Biden is set to emphasize his administration’s climate achievements in his upcoming State of the Union address, aiming to highlight the stark contrast ... continue reading

The US offshore wind sector is experiencing challenges amid high interest rates, inflation, and supply chain disruptions, leading to a “fundamental reset” in the ... continue reading

China has asserted its dominance in the global solar energy industry, surpassing the United States in installations and reducing panel prices. With plans to ... continue reading

Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to deploy the National Guard and State Police to the New York City subway system faced immediate and widespread criticism ... continue reading

Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to deploy hundreds of National Guard members and state police to conduct bag checks in New York City’s subway system ... continue reading

Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement to deploy National Guard soldiers and State Police troopers in New York City’s subway system has elicited mixed reactions from ... continue reading

Sheila Watson, Deputy Director of the FIA Foundation, is at the forefront of global initiatives to promote safe and sustainable mobility. With a background ... continue reading

The City of Yes for Economic Opportunity plan, led by Mayor Eric Adams, aims to significantly reform New York City’s zoning laws to foster ... continue reading

A recent analysis of temperature data from hundreds of locations worldwide reveals that this winter was unusually warm for half the world’s population, with ... continue reading

The Securities and Exchange Commission (S.E.C.) approved new rules regarding the disclosure of climate risks by public companies, but the final version is considerably ... continue reading

John Kerry, America’s former top climate diplomat, reflects on the progress and challenges in addressing climate change during his tenure. He acknowledges the significant ... continue reading

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the deployment of 1,000 National Guard soldiers and State Police officers to patrol New York City subway platforms and conduct ... continue reading

A recent United Nations report highlights how global warming disproportionately affects women-led households in low- and middle-income countries, exacerbating existing social disparities. Female-headed households ... continue reading

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (S.E.C.) is expected to release weaker climate disclosure rules than originally proposed due to intense corporate lobbying and ... continue reading

The number of cyclist fatalities in New York City reached a 24-year high in 2023, with most deaths involving electric bikes (e-bikes), which have ... continue reading

The article explores how investment managers are navigating the demand for carbon credits within forestland investments. They meticulously evaluate trees to decide whether to ... continue reading

The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) has announced a halt in the issuance of new licenses for electric for-hire vehicles (EVs) ... continue reading

The Stevenson Square housing development in Soundview, costing $1 billion, broke ground on its first phase, including buildings four, five, and six, totaling $125.5 ... continue reading

Transit officials held final public hearings on New York City’s congestion-pricing plan, aiming to implement it as early as this spring. Critics voiced concerns ... continue reading

The House passed the Atomic Energy Advancement Act in a bipartisan vote, signaling broad political support for nuclear power’s role in energy generation. The ... continue reading

The development projects led by architect Fernanda Canales and facilitated through the Programa de Mejoramiento Urbano (P.M.U.) have had a transformative impact on under-resourced ... continue reading

A new report indicates that the pressure for companies to reduce their carbon footprint is primarily driven by their own corporate boards rather than ... continue reading

The rise of index fund investing has led to a shift in shareholder democracy, with large fund companies like BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street ... continue reading

The Census Bureau’s data reveals that weather-related disasters displaced approximately 2.5 million people in the United States in 2023. This highlights the growing urgency ... continue reading

Industrial companies are actively seeking alternatives to fossil fuels for critical processes like steelmaking, cement production, and chemical manufacturing, driven by the imperative to ... continue reading

In 2023, renewable energy made significant strides in the United States, supplying nearly a quarter (about 25%) of the nation’s electricity demand. This growth ... continue reading

Climate change is making insurance more costly and challenging to obtain, with its effects now threatening the health insurance sector. Studies have shown a ... continue reading

In 2023, U.S. companies scaled back hiring for environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) roles amid a reevaluation of costs and the pursuit of ... continue reading

The U.S. residential solar industry is facing challenges due to high interest rates and reduced incentives, leading to company bankruptcies and a contraction in ... continue reading

The rapid expansion of solar energy projects presents both opportunities and challenges for wildlife conservation. While solar farms can help combat climate change, they ... continue reading

As Earth faces its hottest temperatures on record and struggles to mitigate climate change, scientists are exploring an unconventional solution: deploying a giant sunshade ... continue reading

Iceland serves as a glimpse into the future regarding clean energy, climate impacts, and carbon capture: Clean Energy: Iceland relies heavily on renewable energy ... continue reading

Recent data released by the European Union climate monitor indicates that the global average temperature over the past 12 months has exceeded 1.5 degrees ... continue reading

The estimated cost of President Biden’s clean-energy and climate agenda has doubled since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act due to forecasters’ expectations ... continue reading

Global temperatures continued to rise in January 2024, marking the eighth consecutive month of record-breaking warmth. The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reported ... continue reading

Via Verde, a subsidized housing development in the South Bronx, aimed to revolutionize affordable housing with its blend of sustainable design, health-conscious features, and ... continue reading

Farmers’ protests across Europe have prompted policymakers to backtrack on ambitious agricultural regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. European Commission President Ursula von ... continue reading

The recent extreme weather events in Los Angeles, including record rainfall and widespread mudslides, have prompted residents to acknowledge a new reality of increasingly ... continue reading

Progressives in New York are pushing for the creation of a government agency, the Social Housing Development Authority, to develop affordable housing using its ... continue reading

Investors are withdrawing billions of dollars from funds that focus on environmental, social, and governance (E.S.G.) principles due to concerns over green-washing, political tensions, ... continue reading

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, many business leaders privately predict that Donald Trump will win the upcoming U.S. presidential election. While ... continue reading

Scientists studying centuries-old sponges in the Caribbean have uncovered evidence suggesting that global warming since the industrial age has been more severe than previously ... continue reading

Deadly disasters in Chile and California—wildfires ravaging Chile’s forested hills and record-breaking rains triggering floods and mudslides in Southern California—highlight the perilous intersection of ... continue reading

Bank of America, previously praised for pledging not to finance new coal mines, coal-burning power plants, or Arctic drilling projects due to environmental concerns, ... continue reading

The article discusses the contentious issues surrounding Bitcoin mining operations in Arkansas, particularly focusing on the noise and disruption caused by these facilities. Residents ... continue reading

The article discusses efforts on Nantucket, Massachusetts, to preserve historic homes from being gutted and remodeled by attaching preservation restrictions to property deeds. Longtime ... continue reading

FEMA announced it will start to pay for  the installation of solar panels on schools, hospitals and other public buildings rebuilt after national disasters. ... continue reading

The article discusses the emergence of zoning atlases as powerful tools for housing reform advocates, exemplified by Montana’s successful case. It outlines the National ... continue reading

As the use of technology increases, the need for data centers follows suit. In 2022 data centers used between 240 and 500 terawatt-hours of ... continue reading

A bipartisan group of senators, including Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock from Georgia, are urging President Biden to strengthen tariffs on Chinese solar panels ... continue reading

The expiration of the tax exemption program known as 421a in 2022 has sparked debates over its replacement, particularly with the introduction of a ... continue reading

The Osage Nation, historically intertwined with the oil industry, is now embroiled in a legal dispute with Italian utility Enel over a wind farm ... continue reading

In an innovative push for renewable energy development, AJR’s Adam Met has garnered bipartisan support in Congress for exploring the fast-tracking of solar and ... continue reading

The article explores an innovative project aimed at using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the response times of fire trucks and ambulances in New ... continue reading

The article discusses the Biden administration’s consideration of financing a $13 billion natural gas export project in Papua New Guinea through the U.S. Export-Import ... continue reading

The article outlines a plan to potentially replace a Brooklyn hospital at SUNY Downstate Medical Center with an affordable housing project as part of ... continue reading

The article “Forget the Term ‘ESG.’ But Don’t Ignore the Power of the Concept.” explores how companies integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria ... continue reading

Tesla, often perceived as a tech company, is facing traditional auto industry challenges, notably the model cycle dilemma, which has led to an adjustment ... continue reading

Henry Fernandez, CEO of MSCI, a leading provider of stock market indices, is aiming to revolutionize the private finance sector, valued at over $12 ... continue reading

The article discusses the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in developing countries, focusing on its capacity to address critical shortages in skilled labor ... continue reading

The Big Mac Index, invented by The Economist in 1986, offers a playful yet insightful perspective on the concept of purchasing-power parity (PPP) by ... continue reading

The article provides an overview of New York’s burgeoning offshore wind industry, crucial to the state’s ambitious climate goals set by the Climate Leadership ... continue reading

The article discusses New York State’s consideration of a regional procurement strategy for offshore wind projects in collaboration with New Jersey and potentially other ... continue reading

The article details the recent financial challenges facing New York’s offshore wind industry, highlighting nearly $2 billion in losses by developers crucial to achieving ... continue reading

The article discusses a $150 million federal grant awarded to New York for the development of a connector road alongside the Cross Bronx Expressway, ... continue reading

The article discusses the continued investment by private-equity firms in natural gas projects, despite the growing global push towards clean energy and the environmental ... continue reading

The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that global electricity demand will grow at an average of 3.4% annually through 2026, spurred by expansion in ... continue reading

In his State of the City speech, New York City Mayor Eric Adams highlighted his administration’s progress on public safety and economic recovery, while ... continue reading

The article highlights the deepening crisis in China’s real estate sector, characterized by declining sales, falling home prices, and developers’ increasing financial distress. As ... continue reading

Rio Tinto has entered into a power purchase agreement with European Energy to acquire electricity from the Upper Calliope solar farm in eastern Australia, ... continue reading

The article explores the significant challenges global warming poses to the world’s coffee supply, particularly focusing on the coffee plant’s sensitivity to temperature changes ... continue reading

The article “We’re All Climate Economists Now” highlights a significant shift in the field of economics towards addressing the multifaceted impacts of climate change ... continue reading

The article discusses an emerging trend among colleges and universities to tackle carbon emissions through the adoption of geoexchange systems. These systems utilize deep ... continue reading

The article discusses a significant $1.2 billion project by Con Edison to upgrade the electric grid capacity in southeast Queens, New York, aimed at ... continue reading

New York City has settled a civil rights case by agreeing to alter its affordable housing tenant selection process, which was accused of perpetuating ... continue reading

Exxon Mobil is taking legal action against two ESG-focused investment firms, Arjuna Capital and Follow This, aiming to block their shareholder proposal that seeks ... continue reading

 The article discusses the evolving landscape of corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) initiatives in the face of increased scrutiny and backlash. Following the ... continue reading

The article discusses the growing movement among states, including New York, to integrate climate change education into the school curriculum, aiming to prepare students ... continue reading

The article highlights the housing crisis in Dublin and other Irish cities, where skyrocketing rental costs have left many struggling to afford accommodation. It ... continue reading

The article discusses Amtrak’s progress towards introducing new high-speed trains on the Northeast Corridor, connecting Washington, D.C., to Boston. The new Avelia Liberty trains ... continue reading

The article discusses the challenges low-income Americans face in accessing clean energy as utility bills rise. Rising costs, particularly for electricity, have put a ... continue reading