Switchboard

From 'Leave It to Beaver' to 'Modern Family'

Kaid Benfield takes a moment to reflect on the changing nature of the American household and how it will shape our cities in the coming years.

Nov 22, 2012 Switchboard

Finding Homes for America's Veterans

On Veterans Day, Kaid Benfield reports on efforts underway to house and serve America's veterans sustainably.

Nov 12, 2012 Switchboard

Bad Habits Are Hard to Break for US Metro Commuters

Despite significant investment in transit infrastructure, and renewed interest in downtowns and walkable neighborhoods, new data shows that gains in transit commute mode share have been hard to come by in America’s largest cities, says Kaid Benfield.

Oct 27, 2012 Switchboard

Sustainability Moves into Chicago's Backyards

Chicago's backyards may turn into oases of sustainability with a new program aimed at creating incentives for 'greener' practices in the city's private gardens.

Oct 5, 2012 Switchboard

Taking Stock of California's Leadership in Integrated Regional Planning

A new report from the NRDC and Move LA documents the implementation of California's landmark SB 375, the nation’s first law to link transportation and land use planning with greenhouse gas emissions.

Sep 25, 2012 Switchboard

Art and Empowerment Define a Community Development Success Story in Houston

Decaying and disused buildings litter many American inner-city neighborhoods. In Houston, one imaginative project turns potential into pride and empowerment by creating unique, new uses for old homes.

Sep 23, 2012 Switchboard

How Has 9/11 Changed America's Built Environment?

On this sombre anniversary, we bring you an article that was published last year by Kaid Benfield, looking at the legacy of 9/11 for community & the built environment.

Sep 11, 2012 Switchboard

A Guide to Great Streets

Using examples of exceptional streets from diverse settings across the world, Kaid Benfield tries to tease out what makes a great city street.

Sep 7, 2012 Switchboard

Escaping the Pitfalls of Professional Discourse

Kaid Benfield returns to his popular blog at the NRDC's Switchboard site after a three-week hiatus, with thoughts on the purpose of his writings and how "overly familiar vocabulary can lead to overly familiar thinking."

Sep 5, 2012 Switchboard

Philadelphia's New Plaza Serves as Welcome Mat to the City

Located adjacent to the nation's 3rd busiest train station, Philly's new multi-use plaza - dubbed The Porch - provides a welcoming entryway to the city and a model for a "lighter, quicker, cheaper" approach to urban improvements.

Aug 10, 2012 Switchboard

Is Density Inherently Desirable?

Kaid Benfield wades into the density debate by pointing out that density and sprawl can go hand in hand.

Aug 6, 2012 Switchboard