World

Japan is looking to unleash a new source of natural gas in the same way that fracking and horizontal drilling has revolutionized natural gas drilling in the U.S. It's called methane hydrate or 'flammable ice', and is the most prevalent energy source.

March 15, 2013 - The New York Times

Haiti has seen improvements since the 2010 earthquake. However, persistent challenges remain. Dave Hampton, architect and international development consultant for natural and built environment integration, writes about one in particular: ravines.

March 14, 2013 - UrbDeZine.com

We're likely witnessing the beginning of the slow decline of a technology that's defined our transportation and land use policies for a century - the private car. Emily Badger explains how unnoticed events produce socio-technical transitions.

March 14, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Published to coincide with International Women’s Day 2013, Nicky Rackard has proffered a list of the 10 female architects most deserving of acclaim from historians. Add your comments to the active discussion responding to the article.

March 13, 2013 - Arch Daily

An interactive map from the bike-sharing consultancy Metrobike plots the world's active, proposed, and failed bike-sharing services. Willie Osterweil draws some interesting lessons from the data.

March 13, 2013 - Shareable

We've long focused on the *what* when providing housing for seniors. Today Hazel Borys reminds us that the *where* is equally critical, if not more so.

March 12, 2013 - PlaceShakers

Supplying power and transportation to 10 billion people while limiting hazardous emissions may be the defining challenge of the century. Many energy analysts think renewables won't get us there, and are betting on a nuclear energy miracle.

March 12, 2013 - The New York Times

Already popular in several sectors, 'gamification' is increasingly being used to educate and engage the public around sustainability issues. Can "using fun and games for serious purposes" bring about environmental improvements?

March 11, 2013 - The Guardian

In the 1960s and 70s, America witnessed a bike boom that sounds very similar to today's. Although it petered out, Tom Payne argues why contemporary circumstances have altered the long-term viability of a bicycling revolution.

March 11, 2013 - Urban Times

"The United Nations has set two huge energy-related goals for the coming century," says Brad Plumer. While bringing electricity to 1.3 billion people without it and curtailing fossil fuel use seem to be at odds, the U.N. has a plan to achieve both.

March 11, 2013 - The Washington Post

You may have heard of 'peak oil,' but what about 'peak water' or 'peak wood'? Terry Tamminen looks at the range of natural resources we're using up "far too quickly."

March 9, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

In a compelling entry into the public dialog around placemaking, Project for Public Spaces argues that people, rather than merely places, create vibrancy in a community.

March 8, 2013 - Sustainable Cities Collective

Marcus Tudehope offers 12 reasons why community-led counting and mapping of the urban poor can be an effective tool for putting "power and democracy" into their hands.

March 7, 2013 - The Global Urbanist

After a decade of waiting, today's the day planning geeks have been waiting for. SimCity has arrived! To celebrate, Fast Company has assembled "some of the most interesting urban thinkers...to see who would make the best fake metropolis."

March 5, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Throughout the history of planning, compelling visuals have been essential to communicating the concepts established in "our most influential plans," says Howard Blackson. That tradition continues in New Urban placemaking endeavors.

March 4, 2013 - PlaceShakers

Ever wonder how the layout of some of television's most famous domiciles might be depicted in the hands of a professional? Look no further, interior designer Iñaki Aliste Lizarralde has you covered.

March 4, 2013 - Laughing Squid

Rowan Moore asks whether investing in air travel-oriented urban design is appropriate for all contexts.

March 4, 2013 - The Guardian

You'd think the seemingly endless stream of warnings about the state of the planet (record heat, faster melting poles, increasing extreme weather, etc.) would galvanize public opinion. However, a new poll reports concern is at an all time low.

March 3, 2013 - The New York Times

A presentation at this week's TED conference in Long Beach by business writer Nilofer Merchant explored the "quiet crisis of sore butts," and the sobering public health impacts, reports Ryan Tate.

February 28, 2013 - Wired

In the fifty years since Jane Jacobs introduced the "eyes on the street" theory, it's become a commonly accepted conceit that a mix of use reduces crime. A new study calls that theory into question.

February 28, 2013 - Next City