During my first week in China, I have spoken to dozens of people and toured all over Beijing. I even have a map listing the locations of all of the McDonalds in Beijing. Spatial theorists need to write down a model to explain how a uniform distribution of McDonalds is what we observe. While I am quite happy to be here, this is not a low cost trip. The flight over was literally a pain in the neck. I'm in trouble with my wife
During my first week in China, I have spoken to dozens of people and toured all over Beijing. I even have a map listing the locations of all of the McDonalds in Beijing. Spatial theorists need to write down a model to explain how a uniform distribution of McDonalds is what we observe.
While I am quite happy to be here, this is not a low cost trip. The flight over was literally a pain in the neck. I'm in trouble with my wife
for vanishing for 2 full weeks. Apparently, professors are supposed to reply to student emails and colleagues' requests. While this is all "new news" to me, I will have to address a subset of such issues if and when I return to UCLA. There is also this new thing called a course syllabus that we are supposed to hand out at the start of a quarter. I keep receiving requests for them but I feel they limit a professor's freedom to improvise.
So, for those of you who are busy but would like to know what is really going on in China, permit me to offer you an insider's tour. Go to this newspaper and read it carefully; http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/.
It is more interesting than the predictable New York Times and I believe it is honest as a sociological statement about the "mindset" of what smart people care about and are thinking about in China.
I very much like the daily section of the paper that tries to teach Western people a phrase in Chinese and tries to teach Chinese people a strange Western phrase. For example, last thursday there was a quote about the "brown noser who is just kissing ass". So, this English phrase was presented and translated into Chinese characters.
I was impressed that the State views this as good stuff for their citizens to know.
To be serious for a moment, China will "take action" on carbon mitigation but they will take these efforts to build up their next "green export" sector and to reduce their economy's energy intensity because they know they are energy importers. They also don't want to be
cast the villians in international relations. Status is taken quite seriously in this nation and they appear to believe that a first tier nation should not be "brown". Green Cities are in vogue!
How Orphan Oil Wells Threaten West Texas Communities
Abandoned and orphaned oil wells in West Texas are causing costly environmental hazards like sinkholes and leaks, prompting urgent calls for increased funding and regulation to address a growing statewide and national crisis.
Good Planning Under Bad Leadership
Planners must sometimes work under bad leadership. Here are suggestions for responsive planning in challenging political environments.
Building a Cleaner Future: Financing the Coal-to-Clean Transition
The Coal-to-Clean Initiative is an effort to fund the early retirement of coal plants in emerging markets, urging public-private collaboration to achieve a just energy transition that limits global warming and supports sustainable growth.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
