I am enjoying the last day of my Independent Activities Period (IAP) – the period after winter break in which all students at MIT can take one of many non-credit or for-credit course offerings at MIT, set up a winter externship, or just do nothing. This amounts to six weeks of bliss!
Baltimore
Following the Path of the Meltdown
A new documentary tracks the meltdown of Wall Street and its impact on housing throughout the country. The New York Times offers this review.
The New York Times
The Planetizen News Brief - 6/18/09
5:25 minutes (4.97 MB)
San Francisco gets tough on trash, bulldozers are seen as solutions for some cities, math helps solve traffic jams, and the affects of prison design -- all on this week's Planetizen News Brief, airing weekly on the nationally-syndicated radio show "Smart City".Read, listen or download.
Superblock Project Struggles With Historic Preservation
A proposed $150 million superblock development in Baltimore's West Side has faced numerous obstacles, including significant resistance from historic preservationists who want to see more of the historic retail district preserved.
The Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Makes Grander Vision for Arts District
Planners in Baltimore have unveiled a 30-year plan to remake its arts district into a mixed-use, transit-oriented, regional destination.
The Baltimore Sun
Simulating Urbanity
HBO's The Wire has wrapped its last season of urban criticism disguised as a cop show. Dan Hill, who creates simulations of cities in his day job, is fascinated by The Wire's simulation and deconstruction of Baltimore.
cityofsound
Residents Fuming As Housing Threatens Park
A master-planned community in Baltimore is up in arms over plans to replace the community's iconic country club parkspace with a senior housing center.
The New York Times
Baseball Stars Commute By Bike
At last count, the Baltimore Orioles clubhouse includes six regular bike commuters including up-and-coming pitcher Jeremy Guthrie.
The Baltimore Sun
Broad Urban Renewal Project Takes Over Baltimore Neighborhood
The expansion of a Baltimore hospital has sparked a neighborhood-wide urban renewal project.
The New York Times
Creating a Place for Public Debate of City Planning and Design
Baltimore considers following in the footsteps of Paris, San Francisco and Copenhagen by opening a "design center", a place for people to gather and debate the design of their city.
The Baltimore Sun
Debate in Baltimore Over Waterfront Condo
'The process is a runaway train,' says a city councilor, as plans move forward to build two residential towers on Baltimore's vanishing waterfront.
The Baltimore Sun
Public Art Succeeds in Inspiring Consideration of Public Spaces
A public art exhibit in a Baltimore park has elicited complaints and compliments from various voices in the city. But like it or not, the art is good for the city's consideration of and connection to its public spaces, according to this editorial.
The Baltimore Sun




















