The Smoggy Side of Cleveland

A new government-sponsored 'HazeCam' provides a running feed of downtown air pollution, with the aim of prompting local residents to reconsider their commuting habits.

1 minute read

December 1, 2010, 12:00 PM PST

By Lynn Vande Stouwe


The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency hopes the project will inspire commuters to factor air quality impacts into their transportation decisions, perhaps by carpooling or not letting vehicles idle, according to Michael Scott. A camera mounted to the tenth floor of the MetroHealth Medical Center takes a picture every fifteen minutes and posts the photo online. Cleveland is frequently among the worst-ranked cities in the country for air quality.

Scott reports that most Cleveland civic groups seem to be supportive of the program. He quotes Joseph Marinucci of the Downtown Cleveland Alliance:

"I would hope it's not a negative view, but rather about how clean air is a health benefit. As long as it is used appropriately, for what it was intended and not to reflect negatively on the city, it's probably a good thing."

Tuesday, November 30, 2010 in Cleveland Plain-Dealer

Aerial view of homes on green hillsides in Daly City, California.

Depopulation Patterns Get Weird

A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.

April 10, 2024 - California Planning & Development Report

Aerial view of Oakland, California with bay in background

California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million

Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.

April 11, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

A view straight down LaSalle Street, lined by high-rise buildings with an El line running horizontally over the street.

Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing

Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.

April 10, 2024 - Chicago Construction News

Children sit on temporary street furniture next to book cart at pop-up reading event at open streets event in Sunset Park in New York City.

Meet NYC’s New Office of Livable Streets

The NYC DOT program will build on pandemic-era initiatives to promote safe and comfortable streets that enhance community and expand uses beyond just moving cars.

12 minutes ago - Next City

New York Public Transit

Transit Riders Face the Highest Safety Risks in These 10 States

According to federal data, the average number of safety incidents on public transportation averaged 55.2 per 100,000 people across all states between 2010 and 2023. Which states came in well above the national average?

1 hour ago - PropertyCasualty360

Woman with long hair wearing Covid mask sitting on underground train station bench looking at her watch as subway train approaches in background at Hollywood/Western station in Los Angeles, California.

How California Transit Agencies are Addressing Rider Harassment

Safety and harassment are commonly cited reasons passengers, particularly women and girls, avoid public transit.

April 17 - The American Prospect

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.