Europe

In this radio interview covering high speed rail, streetcars, bicycling, and paying for the proposed $500 billion transportation bill, Chairman Oberstar of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee discusses the future of transportation.

Cyclists hear a lot about how much better the biking is in Europe. The Brooklyn Paper takes a look at why, and whether or not the lessons of Amsterdam are applicable in the US.

Cities can expand transit service areas by providing convenient access by bike.

The Portuguese Coast is one of the most energetic in the world, and is the first country to have a commercial-scale wave energy device in the water. Now, they're planning a "pilot zone" for expanding the technology.

A Russian manufacturer has announced plans to build a nuclear energy plant on a floating platform near the Bering Sea.

Economic improvement projects funded by the stimulus are moving full steam ahead -- in France.

Roundabouts, usually considered a quirky European development, can reduce delays at intersections by 20%, according to studies by Kansas State University.

An Italian company is using an RC model submarine to run fiber optic cable through sewer systems.

Geoff Manaugh of BLDGBLOG looks at plans for a zoo in France made up of simulated environments, and wonders why we don't build simulated environments for humans.

According to the latest numbers out of Amsterdam, residents are for the first time using bicycles for transport more often than they use their cars.

European cities are experimenting with trains that can switch from heavy rail (to reach suburbs on existing tracks) and street-running fixed link systems (to reach city centers).

Paris' bike-sharing program Vélib was supposed to make commuting more civilized; instead it has become the subject of widespread theft and abuse.

A prison design in Austria that emphasizes inmate comfort and dignity raises questions about the role architecture and design plays in preventing or encouraging more crime.

The future of Paris has been laid out by ten teams of architects and planners. The ideas are broad, futuristic, and innovative, but few are likely to be realized.

Amsterdam has taken its smart grid live, installing solar panels and 300 electric car recharging stations throughout the city.

Italian car designer Pininfarina has announced that it will release a fully-electric, partially solar-powered car in Europe in 2010.

This piece from Wired looks at the Swedish mining town of Kiruna that is literally picking itself up and moving.

Alex Marshall takes a look at Spain's recent record of proactive transportation planning, connecting cities to direct development rather than to connect already successful areas.

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood is visiting Spain, hoping to glean some knowledge from the country's recent successes with high-speed rail.

Herve Kemp believes that the future of employment in Europe will include a million "family farmer jobs."