Philip Rojc is a Contributing Editor at Planetizen. He writes about cities, philanthropy, and socioeconomic equity.
New York City's Sidewalk Shed Epidemic
A 1980 law protecting pedestrians from falling debris has spawned a labyrinth of sidewalk sheds: the covered walkways that often support scaffolding. Many of these "temporary" structures linger for years.
Minnesotans Clash Over Organized Trash Collection
Instead of letting trash collection companies compete to serve customers, several Minnesota cities are negotiating contracts on behalf of their citizens. The measure, which reduces garbage truck traffic, has prompted backlash.
Why So Big? Rethinking Fire Truck Design
When they're not extinguishing actual flames, fire trucks can seem comically over-sized on city streets. Replacing portions of the fleet with smaller response vehicles might save money without sacrificing capability.
Preserving Main Street in Large Developments
The Terraces, a mixed-use project in Charlottesville, Virginia, adopts a design that reflects its historic downtown surroundings. Oliver Kuttner, the developer, says that "breaking up" large buildings can make them more palatable on street level.
What If Gordon Freeman Was a Civil Engineer?
The video game INFRA trades your typical Russian ultra-nationalists and Nazi zombies for a city on the verge of ruin. The protagonist, an engineer, is tasked with the seemingly mundane tasks that will bring the place back to life.