World
Global issues, U.N., etc.
Friday Eye Candy: The Surreal Architecture of Victor Enrich
After seven months of work, Víctor Enrich has shared "NHDK", an enchanting exploration of how to rethink the everyday environments that surround us. The project is the artist's latest experiment in digital manipulation and provocation.
The Architectural Year in Review
Metropolis magazine has gathered some of the world's most influential critics and thinkers to propose the most important buildings, products, and events from the past year in architecture and design.
Will the "Copenhagen Wheel" Revolutionize Cycling?
Developed by researchers at MIT in consultation with representatives from the Danish capital, the Copenhagen Wheel is a new technology that transforms your bike into a "smart electric-hybrid".
The Best Maps of 2013
GIS Lounge is back with its list of the "most interesting and best" maps of the year. This year's honorees make traffic flows come to life, track global bike share inventory, and visualize regional differences in American speech.
Energy Boom Warrants Rethinking 1970's Energy Policies
Harkening back to the long lines at gas stations that erupted after the 1973 Arab oil embargo, followed by diminishing oil production, US crude oil exports were prohibited. With production booming, energy czar Ernest Moniz may reconsider that policy.
Is Peak Oil Demand In Sight?
With driving and oil consumption declining across many developed countries due to long-term structural shifts, Nick Butler sees reason to believe the world will soon reach peak oil demand.
Happy City Highlights
Hazel Borys shines today's PlaceShaker spotlight on "Happy City" by Charles Montgomery. Check it out and you'll be questioning our collective priorities in no time. C'mon get happy!
Friday Funny: The World's Worst Place to Raise a Child
The Mariana Trench has beaten out Mt. Everest, the cone of Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano, and St. Louis to claim the title of the world's worst place to raise a child for the seventh consecutive year, reports the satirical newspaper The Onion.
These 10 Countries Are Ready for Renewable Energy
The World Economic Forum has reported on the state of national energy networks around the world and which countries are doing the most to embrace renewable energy technology.
Envisioning a Future Urban Dronescape
Jeff Bezos' proposal to deliver packages by aerial drone has the potential to upset traditional models of logistics and distribution, but it's most powerful effect may be on the urban airspace. Are blue skies ahead for Bezos' vision?
New Report Explores the Benefits of BRT
By synthesizing existing literature and utilizing four detailed case studies, a new report from EMBARQ explores how bus rapid transit can impact the quality of life, productivity, health, and safety of city residents.
Can Billionaire Innovators Succeed in Disrupting How We Get Around?
While many are focused on fixing the legacy assets of another era, a group of innovative billionaires are training their talents on transforming the "sleepy realm of transportation," observes Kevin Robillard. Can they overcome the inherent obstacles?
Does Privatizing Water Systems Make Sense?
Private financing of water systems goes at least as far back as ancient Rome. But as the number of people served by private water companies grows, some cities that have tasted privatization have found it lacking.
The World's Most Polluted Places
The Blacksmith Institute and Green Cross Switzerland recently released a list of places you definitely don't want to find yourself near: The World's Most Polluted Places.
Vast Freshwater Reserves Found in the Last Place You'd Look
Australian researchers are agog over the discovery of 120,000 cubic miles of freshwater beneath the ocean floor. The reserves may help quench the world's approaching freshwater crisis.
Honoring Architecture's Highs and Lows for 2013
They might call it the "Lunch with the Critics" award, but in my mind they're the "Archies" (is that taken?). Critics Alexandra Lange and Mark Lamster deliver their fourth annual awards for the best and worst in architecture and design of 2013.
Jan Gehl Laments 'Birdsh*t' Architecture
Jan Gehl argued at the Royal Institute of British Architects annual research symposium that architects and urban planners must do more research on how their schemes affect people.
5 Secrets to Bike Share Success
Thriving bike share systems in DC and NYC are models for success. But other cities have struggled to create sustainable systems (DC's first effort failed, in fact). A new report offers a comprehensive guide to establishing bike share in your town.
Liberating High-Quality Home Design
Does not having the money to hire a world-class architect mean you shouldn't be able to build a well-designed house? A new website seeks to make high-quality design accessible to the masses with open source architecture.
New Study Challenges 2 Degree Climate Change Cap
New studies published this week challenge the 2 degree Celsius global warming threshold and call for an early warning system to monitor climate shifts.
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
