When President-elect Barack Obama is inaugurated on January 20, the city of Washington D.C. is likely to be the most lively, exciting and vibrant city in the world. Millions will be there. Hotels for miles around are booked full, couches across the city will be crashed upon, and many in the city are expecting the party to last for days. City officials are doing what they can to make sure the party does indeed happen.
Economic Recession
Stimulus Funds Roads Over Transit Three-to-One
Officials are complaining about the first draft of the economic stimulus package, arguing that it does not dedicate enough money to transit projects and heavily favors road building.
The Wall Street Journal
Architecture's 'Bilbao Era' Could Be Over
The age of iconic architecture may be ending. The recession is a major factor, but much of the shift may be due to changing perceptions about what architecture is supposed to do for a place, according to critic Robert Campbell.
The Boston Globe
Amid Downturn, Dubai Metro Moves Ahead
While the economic downturn is slowing many construction projects in Dubai, the city's 47-station light rail system is moving forward on schedule.
Architectural Record
California's High Speed Rail Struggles Through Recession
The economic recession is hurting the California High Speed Rail Authority, the lead agency developing the high speed rail network for which the state's voters approved $10 billion in bonds in 2008. With no buyers, the bond money is unavailable.
San Francisco Chronicle
Architecture Bender Ends as Funding Dries Up
The party's over for what started out as a go-go year for architecture, writes Nicolai Ourroussoff.
The New York Times
The City on Hiatus
Nick Paumgarten imagines a New York City landscape that would result from a present-day economic crisis.
The New Yorker
Is Urbanism Enough to Curb Global Warming?
Witold Rybczynski reports on a recent conference at the University of Pennsylvania at which planners emphasized technology. He thinks that there is more to it than that.
Slate.com
Denver Pushes Projects to Fuel Economy
In an effort to revitalize the local economy, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper has announced a plan to fast-track more than 200 construction projects in the city.
The Denver Post
The Planetizen News Brief - 12/4/08
4:30 minutes (4.18 MB)
A weekly rundown of some of the most interesting and important news and issues, airing every week on the nationally-syndicated radio program "Smart City". Read, download or listen to this week's News Brief, which looks at what the economic recession will mean for cities, and what they're doing to lighten the blow. Read, listen or download.
With Last Recession Still Fresh in Mind, Hard Times Ahead for Architects
The economic recession will mean tough times for architects, who saw jobs cut by more than 40% during the last slump. Many in the field are wondering whether many architects will survive the current situation.
Guardian
The Future Homes of Post-Crash America
Just as good economic times pushed housing sizes to mansion-like proportions, the downturn in the economy will force builders and consumers to size down and get energy efficient, according to this commentary from James S. Russell.
Bloomberg
Urban Design After The Age of Depression
Fri, 11/14/2008 - 07:44
Hey, have you heard we’re all screwed?
Last week Penn hosted the “Reimagining Cities: Urban Design After the Age of Oil” conference. If you were there, or if you read the liveblog of the event, you saw speaker after speaker tell of the doom and gloom facing the planet. Climate change! Carbon emissions! Decaying infrastructure! Nine billion people! In the words of the classical philosopher Shawn Carter, we got 99 problems, but a bitch ain’t one.
Frankly, it’s all a little depressing.
Spain's Manufacturing Boomtown Feels Economic Slump
The manufacturing town of Zaragoza, Spain is beginning to feel the crunch of the global economic slowdown, as a General Motors plant goes on a temporary hiatus.
The New York Times
Mexico to Invest Billions in Infrastructure
Mexican President Felipe Calderon has announced a $4.3 billion plan to improve the country's infrastructure, schools and housing stock.
BBC
Money for Nothing? Not Anymore. (Chicks, Though? Still Free.)
Wed, 10/01/2008 - 09:34
Almost a month into planning school, I can see the profession’s all about improvisation. How do you think on your feet when a client doesn’t like your design? What other cities can you turn to when a sudden mandate comes down to look for policy innovation?
Or let’s say you’re a planning professor. The financial markets have started a tailspin, eating themselves alive and swallowing MBAs whole. How’s your lesson plan gonna change?
U.S. Gas Consumption Drops - First Time In 16 Years
Economic recession and soaring gas prices have resulted in the largest, demand-induced, sustained decline in gas consumption in 16 years. Motorists are reacting to the higher prices and weaker economy in their vehicle selection and driving behavior.
The Wall Street Journal
