Katherine Fung pens a feature in The Architect's Newspaper on the recent wave of projects seeking to improve the way our waste management infrastructure looks and works.
Focusing on such projects as the Newtown Creek wastewater treatment plant and Sunset Park recycling facility in Brooklyn, and ecoparks and pneumatic tubes in Barcelona, Fung looks at the efforts of cities to, "modernize their current waste-management strategies with an eye to heightening design quality, sustainability, and accountability."
One fascinating system that Fung describes is the "Jetsons-like" network of underground pneumatic tubes Barcelona, and other cities to a more limited extent, use to collect garbage and convey it to collection plants.
"Residents and business owners deposit garbage into portholes on the street, and an underground network of pneumatic tubes whisks everything away to a collection plant. Organic waste gets diverted for conversion into biogas, which heats buildings while recyclables are picked up by truck."
In seven years, when the system in complete, it is expected to serve one-third of Barcelona.
FULL STORY: Feature> The Art of Moving Trash
Pop Quiz: What's the Difference Between Aerobic Decomposition and Anaerobic Digestion?
Yes, one is with and the other without oxygen, and both divert waste from the landfill—but in terms of the end products, what is the advantage of anaerobic digestion? Simply put, does society face a shortage of compost or renewable energy?
The Best of the Vest: The World's Greatest Pocket Parks
Paris, Barcelona, New York City...Cleveland? Like the oft-hidden urban oasis that are the subject of this article, you may come across some surprises in Crai S. Bower's list of the best cities for pocket parks.
Barcelona Metro Uses Regenerative Braking to Power Stations, Charge EVs
Energy created when trains brake is harnessed to power the trains themselves, station infrastructure, and street-level electric car chargers.
2024: The Year in Zoning
Cities and states are leaning on zoning reform to help stem the housing crisis and create more affordable, livable neighborhoods.
NACTO Releases Updated Urban Bikeway Guide
The third edition of the nationally recognized road design guide includes detailed design advice for roads that prioritize safety and accessibility for all users.
Denver Pauses Multifamily Development in Westside Neighborhoods Amidst Gentrification Concerns
City officials say the pause on permits for redevelopment projects aims to stop the displacement of long-term residents.
Learning From Wildfire Evacuations
Researchers are working to understand how people behave during wildfire events and how to most effectively get people to safety during deadly fires.
Parking Reform Yields New Housing
As more cities eliminate or reduce their minimum parking requirements, the impact on housing supply is coming into focus.
Repurposing Vacant Schools
Some communities are turning abandoned campuses into offices, art studios, and housing.
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.
Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA)
Ada County Highway District
Charles County Government
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland