Technology
Mobile Devices Could Prompt Rise in City Living
This post from The Atlantic suggests that mobile devices and the ability to connect them with the Internet will help lure more people into cities.
Recovery Through Open Data in Detroit and New Orleans
In Detroit and New Orleans, open data proponents are pushing local government to share public data in ways that help citizens in these struggling cities to improve their communities.
Sharing the Civic Commons
Civic Commons is a new non-profit that facilitates the sharing of information and knowledge on open city initiatives for open, data-driven, and collaborative city services.
You Can't Have Good TOD Without the T
Philip Langdon argues that if the U.S. is going to shift toward compact, less resource-consuming patterns of development, Americans will have to rely increasingly on mass transit - so it better work.
Stealth Solar is Slowly Transforming Downtown Portland
In Portland, two examples of how stealthy implementation of solar-powered technology is changing the rhythm of daily life.
Military's Newest Enemy: Wind Turbines
The U.S. Defense Department has become one of the largest hurdles for wind power projects, arguing that large wind turbines can cause interference with the military's communications technology.
Replacing Bike Sharing Infrastructure with Smart Phones
Bike sharing systems have been huge successes in cities like Paris and Barcelona. But due to their extensive infrastructure requirements, they're expensive to build. One man suggests a system run primarily by smart phones.
Interactive Map Documents Road Quality
A new interactive map shows wear-and-tear on city roads, color-coding where work needs to be done and where smooth rides can be found.
Maglev: Dreaming the Impossible Dream?
The idea of a magnetic levitation train has been bubbling for decades, but has yet to materialize in the U.S. Some say the idea is a pipe dream, but this column from The Baltimore Sun says the idea just needs the right home.
Our 3D Augmented Future
"Augmented Reality" is currently a smart phone phenomenon that uses the phone's camera to overlay visual data on real spaces. Architecture student Keiichi Matsuda imagines a future where our visual space is completely overtaken by augmented reality.
Turning Cities into Software
Many have called for "urban operating systems" to streamline how cities work, but few ideas have really taken hold. One small start-up, however, is making strides in developing that concept.
L.A. To Test Variable Parking Prices
Los Angeles is planning to undertake a year-long experiment in demand-based pricing on parking in its downtown. The dynamic parking system will be put in place next summer.
Creating Smart Cities and Replicating Silicon Valley
Google CEO Eric Schmidt discusses what makes a city smart and successful in this interview with Foreign Policy.
Commuter RR To 'Double-Deck' To Increase Capacity
More capacity for the same cost is the case with double-decker commuter cars -- if they can fit into tunnels, that is. Bi-level train were once more common in the commuter trains serving NYC. However, these cars can have their own disadvantages.
Why Transit Agencies Should Open Their Data
Streetfilms offers this video about how opening up transit agency data can greatly improve urban public transit systems for riders at little or no cost to the agencies.
Scoring Your Transitability
A new online tool shows people how accessible their homes, neighborhoods, and businesses are to public transit.
Reinventing Government in the Wiki Age
Beth Novick, author of Wiki Government, says that today's technology invites us to "rethink not only our democratic institutions, but our democratic theory."
Enormous Tidal Turbine Launches
The world's largest tidal turbine, designed to create electricity from tidal current, was unveiled in Scotland yesterday. The giant machine will be installed off the coast near Orkney later this summer.
Synchronized Driving
University of Missouri-Kansas City researchers are making headway on "self-synchronizing moving objects" -- that is, getting cars to communicate with each other on highways so they can travel at faster speeds without accidents.
What Cities Can Do to Encourage Electric Cars
Maury Blackman of Accela writes that local governments will have a significant effect on whether electric cars take off or not, because they will be approving and building the necessary infrastructure.
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 Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
