Technology

A Brave and Better World? The iPad and the Future of Planning

John D. Landis gazes into the future and sees a bold new world in which Planners are replaced by a system of Internet-based applications that conduct analysis and interpretation more easily, quickly, cheaply, and reliably than humans. Alas, not all is lost, Landis also offers some consoling words on the planning activities for which humans are irreplaceable.

7 February 2012 - 2:00pm

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Data Sharing Seen as Crucial to the Future of Public Transit

When civic leaders from around the world gathered for Vancouver's 2012 Cities Summit last week, urban transport was on everyone's lips, and information sharing was seen as the key to unlocking future successes.

9 February 2012 - 1:00pm

Vancouver Observer

How to Survive An Earthquake in the Bay Area

When the Big One strikes the Bay Area you'll want to be on the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge, set to open next year. Its flexibility will allow it to ride the earthquake.

9 February 2012 - 10:00am

The New York Times

Will a Liberated Workforce Still Need Cities?

Kaid Benfield investigates the rise of a more independent and nimble workforce, and ponders what the new economy means for the shape of cities as we enter an urban epoch

9 February 2012 - 7:00am

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Why Your Cell Phone is the Most Promising Transportation Planning Tool

Emily Badger reports on the growing importance of the cellular phone, and particularly their location tracking capabilities, as the next most essential transportation planning tool.

6 February 2012 - 7:00am

The Atlantic Cities

Top 8 Facadist Renovations, from Melbourne to Bucharest

Facadism is often criticized for its awkward juxtapositions, but here are eight of the nicest facadist renovations from around the world, according to Stephen Smith.

4 February 2012 - 9:00am

International Business Times

Thinking About Sustainability on a Global Scale

In an opinion piece, noted economist Jeffrey Sachs explores what it will take to achieve the 'triple bottom line' of sustainable development, which the UN puts at the top of the global agenda.

1 February 2012 - 9:00am

Project Syndicate

Sidestepping Zoning to Build Green in NYC

Even in New York City, it's a pain to try to "green" a building with insulation, overhangs, and other methods that violate zoning. Katharine Jose reports on the Zone Green Text Amendment, which addresses such impediments, and the team behind it.

31 January 2012 - 6:00am

Capital New York

California Passes Historic Zero Emission Vehicle Regulations

The CA Air Resources Board unanimously approved new rules that require 15% of new vehicles sold in the state to emit zero emissions and require conventional vehicles to reduce smog and climate emissions by 75% and 50%, respectively, by 2025.

30 January 2012 - 5:00am

San Jose Mercury News

There are 4,114 Intersections in LA, and He Controls Them All

Jon Bruner profiles Los Angeles Department of Transportation Engineer Edward Yu, and the ATSAC system run by Yu and his team, which controls the timing of traffic lights at each of the city's 4,114 intersections.

27 January 2012 - 10:00am

Forbes

Smarter Transit Routes Through Twitter?

John Pavlus reports on Eric Fischer's use of Twitter's geotagging feature to map the most highly trafficked thoroughfares in several cities. The results are fascinating, and beautiful.

25 January 2012 - 8:00am

Fast Company Co.Design

Younger Auto Consumers Boost Hybrid Vehicle Demand

A new survey provided some good news for the alternative technology sector of the auto market: younger consumers prefer hybrids and other electrified vehicles over conventional vehicles, especially fuel-inefficient ones.

25 January 2012 - 7:00am

Bloomberg News

Zappos Founder "Trades Shoes for Urban Planning"

Zappos founder Tony Hsieh and his team went from designing a new campus to an entirely new collaborative city in downtown Las Vegas for Zappos employees and other emerging members of the creative class.

23 January 2012 - 10:00am

CNN Money - Fortune Tech

Google Fiber Work Hung Up In Kansas City

With much fanfare, Kansas City was selected in 2011 as the launching site for Google's experimental fast fiber-optic network. Now, a dispute about how and where to run fiber optic lines on poles in the city is causing significant delays.

21 January 2012 - 5:00am

The Kansas City Star

The "Avoid Ghetto" Walking App

At least that's what some are accusing Microsoft of patenting in its "Pedestrian Route Production" app, whose aim is to help pedestrians avoid unsafe neighborhoods "by taking information from maps, weather reports, crime statistics and demographics."

20 January 2012 - 1:00pm

NPR

Nation's Largest Net-Zero Mixed Use Project Planned for Philadelphia

Branden Klayko reports on the pioneering project planned by innovative Philadelphia design-build developers Onion Flats.

20 January 2012 - 10:00am

The Architect's Newspaper

Empowering Civic Engagement

Tools for civic engagement -- there's an app for that. The Knight Foundation announces Engagement Commons, a comprehensive catalogue of civic engagement software.

17 January 2012 - 7:00am

Knight Blog

Detroit Auto Show Highlights New EVs - But Where Are The Buyers?

The EPA's new fuel efficiency standards have auto makers scrambling to produce electric and hybrid vehicles, but the higher prices of these vehicles deter buyers.

17 January 2012 - 6:00am

The New York Times

Thinking About Your City as A Startup

An increasing number of cities, often led by entrepreneurial mayors, are thinking and acting like startups. The qualities that make a startup company and a city successful, are "remarkably similar".

16 January 2012 - 1:00pm

Tech Cruch

Your Prius Won't Save You

In his new book, The Conundrum, David Owen pierces the magical thinking that has repackaged high-end luxury goods, such as hybrid cars, as virtuous and the idea that we can consume our way out of trouble.

14 January 2012 - 7:00am

Txchnologist.com

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