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What's your neighborhood's walk score?
Data visualization star Lee Byron rendered a map of San Francisco that color-codes blocks according to their walk score. How does your neighborhood do? Data visualization star Lee Byron rendered a map of San Francisco that color-codes blocks according to their walk score. How does your... more
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ABC News: German Town Does Away With Traffic Lights
here's how it works:
"With street lights and traffic signs gone, there is only one iron rule in place – you give way to the right, whether it's a car, bike or a pedestrian and the open square does not only look good, it causes motorists to automatically go slow, which means people can make eye contact with each other in order to negotiate the right of way,"
Interesting solution to a worldwide problem. Now, if only the US were nearly as progressive as Europe with regards to urban issues and initiatives, things may improve here as well. here's how it works: ... more -
A Renaissance for Skyscrapers
As populations grow more people move from rural environments to more densely populated urban environs, the emotionally unstable and bespectacled "starchitects" of the world will stay busy. As populations grow more people move from rural environments to more densely populated urban environs, the emotionally unstable and be... more
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Pie in the sky: The world's first edible high-rise
Toronto scientist Gordon Graff has created plans for a 58-floor concept building - the SkyFarm - which would grow crops in the heart of the city and could provide enough food for 35,000 people every day. Toronto scientist Gordon Graff has created plans for a 58-floor concept building - the SkyFarm - which would grow crops in the heart o... more
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In airport's twilight, Berlin's old song
The future of Berlin's Templehof Airport hangs in the balance between possible preservation and an unknown fate if the city of Berlin decides to terminate funding for the aging icon -- a nostalgic symbol of the city's modern civic projects and metropolitan air travel. New York Times' writer Michael Kimmelman contributed this story about the questionable fate of Templehof -- site of the U.S.-led airlift to supply West Berliners in the beseiged city 60 years ago and where Orville Wright earlier demonstrated his aircraft -- in this recent reprint on the International Herald Tribune site (19 May 2008). Although Berlin city Mayor Klaus Wowereit would like to close Templehof by year's end, a city-wide referendum narrowly passed with residents wishing to spare the old facility. Whether their votes will be enough to save Templehof remains uncertain as Berlin looks to expand Schnefeld airport on the city's eastern edge and move forward with plans for a newer airport -- the Berlin-Brandenburg International. Read more details about Templehof's landmark connection to Berlin in Kimmelman's article on IHT.com The future of Berlin's Templehof Airport hangs in the balance between possible preservation and an unknown fate if the city of Berlin ... more
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All subways should be like Taipei's marvel of mass transit
Taipei's insanely efficient, remarkably punctual and shockingly clean subway system is a marvel of mass transit every city should emulate.
With mass transit ridership in America rising alongside gas prices and people grumbling about the level of service, the Taipei Rapid Transit System has many lessons to offer on how to run a subway system. With customer satisfaction topping 94 percent, Taipei Metro may well be the best mass transit system in the world.
The San Francisco Municipal Railway considers 65 percent customer satisfaction a good mark, but that kind of performance earns you a D in school. New York does a little better with a C average, and the Chicago "L" manages to keep 80 percent of its passengers satisfied. But Taipei is in another league.
What makes it so good?
Although there are just 69 stations to serve a city of 2.6 million people, the Metro is the fastest, most efficient way to get around. In the 12 years since Taipei Metro has opened, it has cut from three hours to less than one the time it takes to get across town. It carries 1.1 million people a day yet last year it experienced just 36 delays of more than five minutes -- an impressive statistic that makes this subway one of the most reliable in the world.
It's also one of the cleanest. Stations are remarkably tidy, particularly compared to those in America and even Europe. There are trash and recycling bins everywhere, and passengers are not only expected to drop their refuse in the right bin, they do so. Even the most crowded stations tend to have very little rubbish on the floor. Riders give the system a score of 95.5 percent for "overall tidiness."
Knowing when your train arrives is important when using mass transit, and few things are more frustrating than waiting forever on a platform. Most stations in Taipei have television screens that display real-time arrival information. (They also show commercials, but we figure the subway system, which cost $18 billion to build, has some bills to pay.) The screens in transfer stations also tell you when connecting trains arrive so you can pick up the pace if necessary. Riders gave the system a score of 88.7 percent for providing accurate arrival information. Taipei's insanely efficient, remarkably punctual and shockingly clean subway system is a marvel of mass transit every city should emul... more -
Playing taps for bottled water
During last year's drought, one of the local rags did an "on the street" interview asking a few random people what they were doing to conserve water. One 20-something woman said, "I'm drinking bottled water."
Oh, the environmental angst!
There are times when providing bottled water is practical--e.g., when you're hosting an outdoor festival, you're concerned about attendees staying hydrated, there are no nearby taps, and there's no cooler big enough to ensure you can meet the needs of 1,000 people. But, for the most part, the hard science of climate change dictates we stop spinning crude into plastic for mass consumption of a substance we can get from our sinks.
But this leads to another issue. How do you plan for long-term water supply in the face of both drought and an increased reliance on tap water?
My community is in the middle of this process right now, and the way it is being approached worries me. There is such a heavy emphasis on the cost of the current plan, and not the long-term needs that will have to be addressed by the plan. I see the issue as being related to climate change. For the last three years we have ended in December with a rainfall deficit, and in 2002 we had a record-setting drought. Everything I've read about global warming effects on my state convinces me that this is not a reversible trend--we can count on drier, hotter years to come. And the drier and hotter we get, the more people will be turning on their taps to stay hydrated. Since water will always be immediately necessary to my continued existence and money, as a substance, is less so--being neither edible or drinkable--I tend to fall on the side of planning big to ensure a goodly amount of urban water in the future. I realize that in making this choice, I am also spending other taxpayers' money, but in this we are all alike: We all need water to live. So why is that such a hard sell?
In 1885, the town made a decision to situate and build a dam that is still standing, still functional, still sediment free. If they asked themselves, "Is this too expensive? Is doing this project this way too inconvenient?" that dialogue is unrecorded and, in fact, is moot. We have benefited for 123 years from their foresight and decisionmaking. Now it's our turn to make such decisions. I hope we keep our eyes on what is at stake and do not get sidelined by short-term concerns and fractionalized planning.
For those of you who are active in your communities, how are you handling your water supply issues? During last year's drought, one of the local rags did an "on the street" interview asking a few random people what they were doing to ... more -
Bicyclists on LA freeways
Last Friday, around 30 bicycle riders (and a few inline skaters) took to the freeways during rush hour, racing past cars stuck in traffic. According to one of the organizers from Crimanimal Mass, the aim was "to raise questions about the transportation infrastructure. In a city ruled by cars, why is it that you can get places faster on bikes?” Last Friday, around 30 bicycle riders (and a few inline skaters) took to the freeways during rush hour, racing past cars stuck in traf... more
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Bike Away from Work Party in San Francisco 5/15
Cheers to meligrosa for giving us the heads up on some of the activities happening on Bike to Work Day. Don't forget to ride on on May 15th!
To let us know what's going on in your city, send us a post for on-air consideration at:
http://www.current.com/undertheradar Cheers to meligrosa for giving us the heads up on some of the activities happening on Bike to Work Day. Don't forget to ride on on May... more -
Dubai will become city of supertowers
Move over Burj Dubai, and make room for a new generation of supertowers! Dubai, formerly known as the modest "city of merchants," has been laying out a new foundation for urban growth with gleaming new high-rises climbing vertically from the desert port. The Burj Dubai which opens in June 2009 will be the world's tallest skyscraper topping with 160 habitable floors. The mixed use residential and commercial tower will also unveil Armani's debut hotel. See the Burj Dubai site for further info here > http://www.burjdubai.com.
Meanwhile, eleven newer projects are planned in Dubai that will make up a new class of supertowers, rising upwards with more than 100 habitable floors each, including EP Site 09 (pictured). Find out more in this Gulf News article contributed by Business Editor Saifur Rahman (04 May 2008). Move over Burj Dubai, and make room for a new generation of supertowers! Dubai, formerly known as the modest "city of merchants," has ... more -
How Low Carbon Can You Go?
What is the most climate-friendly way to get there from here? Sightline did the math on that question, ranking different transportation options by greenhouse gas emissions (note that rankings vary depending on vehicle type and occupancy). Turns out that the best strategy for reducing your impact: walk, bike, or fill up a seat that's already going your way!
Also, for anyone in a growing city without adequate mass transit, check out the American Bus Ass'n report comparing energy use and CO2 emissions from a wide variety of public transportation options: highway motor coach, private automobile, heavy urban rail, light rail, commuter rail, intercity rail, domestic air travel, urban transit bus, electric trolley bus, ferry boat, van pool, and demand response shared-use transit service. Available at http://www.buses.org/files/ComparativeEnergy.pdf What is the most climate-friendly way to get there from here? Sightline did the math on that question, ranking different transportatio... more -
UK Prison research: nutritional deficiencies play key role in violent behaviour
Results showed those receiving extra nutrients committed 37% fewer serious offenses involving violence, and 26% fewer offenses overall. Those on the placebos showed no change in their behavior. Once the trial had finished the number of offenses went up by the same amount.
The former Chief Inspector of Prisons (UK) Lord Ramsbotham says that he is now "absolutely convinced that there is a direct link between diet and antisocial behaviour, both that bad diet causes aggressive behavior and that good diet prevents it." _______________________________________________________________________
This would make a GREAT subject for a Realty Pod for CurrentTV
Enlist one or a few prisoners in US jails and follow their story...it doesn't take long for effects to take place.
This is revolutionary and won't be covered by United States media because they are supported by the Pharmaceutical Companies. Prevention represents competition for profits.
Another problem that contributes even more to this is the overuse of Pharmaceutical Drugs combined with this malnutrition problem makes it even worse.
http://www.askapatient.com Study these posts carefully and look for drugs used by yourself and loved ones.
Alternatively you might follow the existing story in Britain if someone in the UK wants to do a Pod. I would recommend that you contact Dr Amen in CA who is doing Brain Scans with this type of situation. I think he might be happy to help with free brain scans of before and after for the Current Pod
http://amenclinics.com/ac/appointments.php
cg
Results showed those receiving extra nutrients committed 37% fewer serious offenses involving violence, and 26% fewer offenses overall... more -
Yurt Villages in New Orleans:Cool idea or dumb? Let me know
Why can't some of our homeless people in New Orleans have the option of living in Yurts, temporarily? I have seen several elderly and young children living in bad conditions in Bush's FEMA trailers.
They can be put up for a few thousand dollars..a fraction of the price of regular homes.
Taken down and moved to different locations
Eco friendly...no footprint
May be used for school rooms
Have historically served well as permanent homes for generations of people
May be put up on a family's own property temporarily and taken down when they finally get funding to rebuild, after W.R.O.T (W's Reign of Terror.)
or in newly planned village type of settings with common playgrounds and organic gardens
While not appropriate in all circumstances why not try a few dozen of them temporarily and some as permanent homes.
Some might serve as Preschool Children's' Yurts or a Music Yurt near a town center to help groups like New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund.
I also envision them on stilted platforms to make them more tolerant to the effects of global warming.
Much nicer than Bush's poisonous FEMA trailers, which could then be paraded slowly up Route 1 to Walker's Point in Kennebunkport wearing "Honk to Impeach" signs, then left for them to admire..
I think Yurts are beautiful!
Here are several comments from users in high winds:
http://www.yurts.com/why/news-reviews.aspx
Here are some interesting faq's http://www.yurts.com/what/faq.aspx
.they build Habitat homes for $85,000
...if they build a Yurt for $10,000 with bells and whistles then they might be able to build 8 or so Yurts for that price.
Why can't some of our homeless people in New Orleans have the option of living in Yurts, temporarily? I have seen several elderly and... more -
Vertical diagonal farm in New York
Cool!
I am hoping to grow my own produce this summer..the ice has finally melted in Maine..this looks very cool for those with limited space! We are such an ingenious species..too bad it is often directed at killing and suppressing people instead of solving problems like this more often. Cool! ... more -
Good-Bye, Cheap Oil. So Long, Suburbia?
The proverbial s*** has hit the fan. The fact that oil IS a finite resource is coming to light and the former centerpiece of the American Dream is being transformed. Life as we know it to be is over. I told several friends in November 07 that by the end of 08 we'd see $200 oil prices per barrel... as of this article, we're hoovering around $120. America needs to wake up... fast. The proverbial s*** has hit the fan. The fact that oil IS a finite resource is coming to light and the former centerpiece of the Ameri... more
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Introducing the Auto-Free Village
"If you could design a community from scratch with the goal of maximizing the quality of life, what would it look like? How would it function?
The first thing you'd do is get rid of all the cars."
Ok, this article had me at "Hello." I've been wanting to dump my vehicle for a year, but even though I live in a high-traffic area of my little city, there aren't enough amenities within easy transit or walking distance to shed the car habit. This appeals to my utopian side. If we could generate enough solar and wind to keep the electricity going, I'd gladly telecommute.
"If you could design a community from scratch with the goal of maximizing the quality of life, what would it look like? How would it f... more -
Air Trees: a Madrid Experiment
Urban architects in Madrid, Spain have created huge technological trees to battle the city's hot, dry summers. Armed with solar panels, water vaporizers and even seating for concerts, these 4 story-tall artificial trees could be a part of the future for cities worldwide. Urban architects in Madrid, Spain have created huge technological trees to battle the city's hot, dry summers. Armed with solar panels... more
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Bike boxes spring up
Though they've been around in Europe for a while, Portland is one of the first cities in the US to install bright, highly visible bike boxes at busy intersections. As a biker myself, I'm excited about this new infrastructure. Though they've been around in Europe for a while, Portland is one of the first cities in the US to install bright, highly visible bike... more
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Urbanology: part 1
Sunny is in the south, Joy in the North, they have split up to explore 2 forms of urbanism in India.
Sunny converses with Mr. Jocken founder of Slum Dwellers international in Bombay and Joy meets with the office of urban planning and architecture in Chandigar.
Sunny is in the south, Joy in the North, they have split up to explore 2 forms of urbanism in India. ... more
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Urban Planning
