Japan has announced plans to build a base on the moon by 2020. The base would be built and used by robots.
The robots are expected to land on the surface of the moon in 2015 and begin building the base that will eventually expand to host humans.
"Those initial surveyor bots will pave the way for the construction of the unmanned moon base near the lunar south pole, which the robots will construct for themselves. That base will be solar powered and provide a working/living space future robot colonizers, as well as -- presumably -- a jumping off point for future human moon dwellers."
Read the full story: Japan Plans a Moon Base by 2020, Built by Robots for Robots
To privatize, or not to privatize? Lessons from Britain and Japan's railways
When Britain and Japan faced the consequences of monopolistic public transit, both countries divided their transit up into regional private companies — and saw very different outcomes.
A robot army is assessing accessibility and mobility on Hoboken's streets
The city is deploying robotic scanners to identify gaps in the city's sidewalks, curb cuts and other mobility infrastructure.
Japan’s bullet trains to debut private pods with 5G wifi windows, “invisible audio bubbles”
The compartments have “personal sound zones” with noise-cancelling technology embedded in the seats, and wifi-infused glass that promises interruption-free streaming and video calls.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan
Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.
Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment
Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.
Data center developers are using lawsuits, cash offers to ‘overwhelm’ rural America
Newsrooms in five states worked together to uncover the tactics big tech developers use to buy land from reluctant communities.
U.S.-Iran war may have ‘devastating’ impact on cost to warm homes
Vermont and Maine residents may see a 76% increase in the cost of warming their homes this winter.
Senate bill would ‘overhaul’ environmental permitting laws
Under the proposed act, government agencies would also not be able to suspend or rescind permits after granting them.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
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