Technology
GIS on the Chisholm Trail
A profile of James Mallory, GISP, whose job in the Oklahoma County assessor's office sometimes involves using GIS to locate historic trails and treasure.
Seattle Suburb Has its Eyes on License Plates
In the Seattle suburb of Medina, security cameras are now capturing all vehicle driving into the city, and using license plate recognition software to check cars and drivers for criminal records.
Watching Where the Water Goes
Monitoring how much water is diverted from rivers and pumped from wells is notoriously difficult. But now, researchers have developed a new way to track usage.
New York City's Data Collection Chopped in Half
New York City has for decades collected data about itself through more than 2,500 statistical indicators. But now, that number has been chopped down to about 1,200. Officials say it creates a streamlined look at the city, but others call it a loss.
Wikiplanning a City
As part of their Envision 2040 process, the City of San José is soliciting user input through a web-based wiki.
Become an Unscrupulous Developer, Virtually
Monopoly: City Streets melds the board game with Google Maps gives you the chance to buy the world's streets and develop your dream project on them (in competition with other players, of course.)
U.S. Oil Consumption On The Decline...Permanently
For political, technological, and even demographic as well as economic reasons, don't expect American oil consumption to increase over 2007 levels. $3 gas is here to stay, and the days of the petrol-gulping SUVs and guzzlers may be numbered.
Digital Experiences in Public Spaces On the Rise
The rise of smart mobile technology is increasing the demand for digital interactivity in public spaces. Marketers and artists are obliging.
A 'Feasible' Engineering Solution to Global Warming
A new study from the UK Royal Society has determined that geo-engineering techniques are technically feasible approaches to address high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the resulting global warming.
Broadband Stimulus Grant Requests Flood In
The application period has opened for federal stimulus grants to fund broadband Internet access projects in underserved areas. The response has been overwhelming.
Creating an Open City Can Be Cheap and Easy
The City of Nanaimo, British Columbia is a leader in the open data and open government movement, according to this post from the Creative Class Exchange. Getting there is easier and cheaper than many might think.
To Share or Not to Share? The Great Transit Data Debate
Some transit agencies keep it under wraps, while others share it widely. Three cities in the U.S. show how the availability of transit arrival data is a wild frontier.
Entering a World of Augmented Reality
Smart phones are bringing about a new realm of "augmented" reality -- where digital data can be visually overlaid into real life environments in real-time.
California's Debate Over What Constitutes Renewable Energy
The goal is to increase California's use of clean, renewable sources of electricity so as to meet the state's climate protection goal. Two bills are being debated that will require that 33% of electricity sources be composed of renewables by 2020.
Military Mapping the Threats and Advantages of Urban Areas
The U.S. Military's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is investing in a program that looks to create 3D imagery of urban areas and the common spaces and objects that could pose threats or provide advantages to military operations.
The Challenges of City-Built Information Networks
When Lafayette, Louisiana set out to build a high-speed fiber optic data network, legal challenges caused major delays. Other cities are likely to experience the same issues as they try to expand their information infrastructure.
Hi-Tech Highway Coming To North Carolina
Groundbreaking for the nation's most technologically highway, a toll road, occurred on August 12 in North Carolina. Attended by Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez, the 19 mile road will have no toll booths. It is expected to open 2011.
Mapping Software That Isn't Just Google Maps Plus
MIT researcher Jeffrey Warren has just released the latest version of Cartagen, a software platform for interactive mapping. Julia Galef takes a look.
Amtrak Routes Now on Google Transit
A recent partnership between Google and Amtrak will allow users of Google Maps / Google Transit to see Amtrak routes as a possible mode of travel, Webwire reports.
Where Are We Going To Charge Our Cars?
Cities need stations where electric cars can recharge in order for the new technology to take off and become a reality in the future, The Wall Street Journal reports.
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
