British entrepreneur Roger Wade has built "[t]he most environmentally friendly shopping mall ever built." 'Boxpark,' which recently opened, is composed of 60 standard size shipping containers stacked two stories high by five rows wide.
George Webster, reporter for CNN, says that "despite the fact that the park does not boast sophisticated insulating technology or even a small array of solar panels, the simple fact that it's made from recycled materials adds credibility to Wade's claim."
For Wade, "the park represents a convenient alliance of economy and ecology, providing a cheap exciting retail space without extensive plundering of resources." Webster states that "recycled containers save 'embodied' carbon cost linked to construction of new buildings."
"The great thing is, if one of these shops doesn't feel it's getting the most out of this location, they can potentially move to another part of the country with a vacant bit of land, without having to close down or dismantle a thing," says Wade.
Built on a temporary site, Wade says that he'll return the land back to its owners in exactly the same condition as he got it, and then the community can decide if it wants a more permanent retail space there.
Read the full story: Crate expectations: Shipping containers used for first 'pop-up' shopping mall
Bike use in London grew by 43% since 2019, but car use remains roughly the same
The city's efforts to reduce car use have stalled despite ambitious programs like congestion pricing and low-traffic neighborhoods.
Beavers save London Tube station from flooding
A small group of beavers is increasing biodiversity and creating cost-free flood mitigation infrastructure.
Can Robotaxis Handle London's Famously Tangled Streets?
Black Cab drivers say autonomous cars won’t be able to handle London’s unique conditions.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.
Trump administration unlawfully slashed $7 billion in clean energy grants, judge rules
The Environmental Protection Agency ended the Solar For All program, which provided the grants, after President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Record-breaking wildlife overpass in Colorado brings 91% reduction in animal collisions
Prior to the overpass, vehicles were hitting one deer per day on Colorado’s Interstate 25.
California lawmakers approve just 5% of much-needed LA28 transportation funding
State legislators appear just as unwilling as Trump to pay for Olympics-related transportation projects.
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.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello