Home

An Interview With Geoff Manaugh of BLDGBLOG

3 May 2007 - 6:00am
Photo: Geoff Manaugh

This installment features a discussion with blogger Geoff Manaugh of BLDGBLOG about his work covering architecture and urban issues on the blog, and about some of the most notable trends in architecture and urban planning.

He also tells us about "Science Fiction and the City", an architectural film fest that will feature presentations from concept artists whose designs and landscapes have appeared in many recent science fiction and fantasy films. The event will take place May 8, in Pasadena, California. More information about the event can be found on BLDGBLOG.

This podcast also includes the Planetizen News Brief, our weekly analysis of some of the most interesting and important news and issues of the past week.

The Planetizen News Brief airs every week on the nationally-syndicated radio program "Smart City", which is broadcast in cities across the U.S. Learn more about "Smart City" and listen to archived shows.

Like What You're Hearing? Have Something To Say?

Let us know how we're doing. If you have any comments about the Planetizen Podcast, send your questions, comments, or suggestions to editor@planetizen.com

Smart City Radio

Full Planetizen News Brief Transcript

Fuel efficient cars are great for drivers who are tired of spending lots of money at the gas station. They’re also not too bad for the environment. But they are really bad if you’re the Federal Highway Administration. The FHA is estimating that by 2009 increased fuel efficiency will have such a negative effect on its income from gas taxes that federal highway coffers will be $21 billion dollars short of what’s needed just to keep up existing roads. The Wall Street Journal reports that states are scrambling to find ways to deal with this anticipated budget pinch. Oregon, for example, has just ended a one-year pilot program that used GPS systems to keep track of driver’s mileage and charged them a flat rate of 1.2 cents per mile. Other states are considering similar programs, but many people are wary about the government always knowing where they’re driving.

While it’s going to be harder for funding to keep up with American road demand, it is the roads themselves that can’t seem to keep up in Atlanta, where an urban population boom is putting more and more people on the city’s streets. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that traffic has gotten significantly worse in recent years, as many of the people who moved out of the city in the 70s and 80s are returning. The state is hesitant to provide transportation funding, so the city is taking the lead on funding some projects. It has even created a new Transportation Planning Division and is in the process of creating a comprehensive transportation plan – the first in Atlanta’s history.

And finally, if you think your house or apartment is small, a designer in Munich has been producing a line of homes that are just 76 square feet. That’s right. 76. Wired Magazine takes readers on an appropriately short tour of one of these homes, which were designed by Richard Horden of the Technical University of Munich. Each home is delivered to the buyer in a complete package, equipped with two double beds, seating for five, a kitchen, storage space, a toilet and a shower. Horden also has plans to install a wind turbine and solar panels to make these cubic mini homes self sustaining. The homes are currently only available in Europe, but if you’re there and you’ve got $96,000, you could be one of the smallest homeowners in the world.

Stories discussed in this week's Planetizen News Brief

Increased Fuel Efficiency Wreaks Havoc On Highway Trust Fund

Roads Can't Keep Up With Atlanta's Revitalization

Micro-Chic: The 76-Square-Foot House

»