Humor
Actually-fake-news site The Onion got a few burns on the world of planning this week. One article satirized the nation's inaction over the state of its infrastructure. The other hit the Brookings Institute where it hurts: the policy recommendations.
The Onion
There's only one requirement to qualify for Seattle's Poetic Grid project: write a poem about a specific place.
Next City
Game of Thrones provides way more sex, blood, and dragons than your typical comprehensive planning project, but the dynamics can be instructive, particularly in places where demand for the high-quality amenities of urbanism out-paces the supply.
PlaceShakers
If one of the efforts to divide up California into smaller states became reality, San Diego and Imperial County would thrive, according to land use consultant Wayne Raffesberger.
UrbDeZine
Satirical news site The Onion lambastes (in familiar fashion) the gig economy—i.e., the euphemism applied to the side jobs and revenue sources offered by transportation network companies like Uber and short-term rental companies like Airbnb.
The Onion
Foreign tourists are taking to the streets of Japan dressed as Mario, Luigi, and more of their friends from the Nintendo universe.
The Wall Street Journal
If a new online cartoon for The New Yorker were a real calendar, we'd expect it would sell more copies than Playgirl and find itself spread across dart boards in all five boroughs.
The New Yorker
There are surprisingly few maps of ancient Roman roads, and many fewer maps of ancient Roman roads that resemble big-city subway maps. An intrepid student has improved upon that situation, however.
CityLab
A totally fake news story from the fake news site The Onion reports the fake news that the National Trust for Historic Preservation is leading an effort to demolish Donald Trump's boyhood home.
The Onion
The hot new wheels of choice for little ones to learn how to ride bikes are called balance bikes. "Welcome to the Tour de France of Toddler Racing," says the Wall Street Journal.
The Wall Street Journal
Ben Brown calls BS on a number of city planning and gentrification points.
PlaceShakers
There was a tiny bit of cuteness to emerge from the news in Washington, D.C. this week. Partisan bickering soon followed.
Greater Greater Washington
TIL that there are no podium helmet laws in New York City.
Vox
This one's for the straphangers.
CityLab
The satirical website takes on the darling of community and economic development: the local craft brew industry.
The Onion
City branding got jokes.
CityLab
John Metcalfe introduces the world to Jimmy, the transit riding jerk who will probably seem all-too familiar.
CityLab
Ersatz versions of architectural icons like the Eiffel Tower, the London Bridge, or the Statue of Liberty are popping up around the world. Are you ready to test your skills in parsing the real from the fake?
The Guardian
There are few sites as essential for urbanists as CityLab. Here's what happened when I tried to be a little more inessential.
Planetizen April 1st Edition
2015 was supposed to be the El Niño year.
Planetizen April 1st Edition
