Stores in Vancouver suburbs have installed a device outside their stores called a 'Mosquito' that emits a high-pitched frequency that the average adult can't hear. The device is effective in decreasing vandalism, but at what cost to public space?
Writer Daniel Goldbloom responds to a recent opinion piece supporting the use of the Mosquito in Vancouver:
"No one is suggesting that any person has the right to do anything they want, whenever and where ever. Imputing a desire to defend vandalism to their opponent misses the point. It is wrong to publicly harass an entire segment of the population for no greater crime than assembling in a public place. While some teenagers may vandalize public and private property, it is unreasonable to punish everyone in a certain age range for the crimes of a few ruffians.
Another hypothetical is instructive here. Imagine that most of the suspects for a crime like vandalism came not from a certain age bracket, but from a certain ethnic group. If there were some way to rig a Mosquito-type device to discriminate by race rather than age, would that be appropriate? What if posh stores wanted to keep poorer customers away? Would they be within their rights to use a sonic deterrent activated by wallet weight?
Likewise, it makes little sense to use an age-specific hearing test to determine one's right to public space."
FULL STORY: Daniel Goldbloom: Counterpoint: Ban the Mosquito

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie