Learning from the collapse of the World Trade Center towers, architects and engineers are beginning to design new features to make tall buildings safer.
Klemencic says engineers seeking good models of such a balance can look to England, where ongoing tension over Northern Ireland have forced a heightened vigilance against terrorist acts. In many of England's newer buildings, says Klemencic, the lower steel beams are reinforced in concrete. Steel is strong, but can bend under intense temperatures. Concrete holds up longer against heat, but can crack and break under extreme temperatures. Using both adds some protection against collapse during prolonged fire.
Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan
FULL STORY: Engineering Against Disaster
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
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.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association