WRITING
This writing portfolio includes reports for publication, presentation materials, news articles, features and summaries, blog posts, web copy and more.
|
City Reports for Práctica Journal
Don't Call It A Comeback, Murals Have Been Here for Years 12/24/2013 - There is no shortage of murals in Los Angeles, which has often been referred to as the “Mural Capital of the World”. This says a lot given how bountiful street art is in other cities such as New York, Barcelona and Berlin. L.A.’s murals are just as multifarious as the many neighborhoods and citizens that make up the City of Angeles. Historically, murals in L.A. have served as a vehicle for all kinds of creative civic expression; something artists and constituents in underserved communities can especially appreciate. Since the 1990s, however, city walls and real estate also became prime advertising space for commercial entities to reach their target audiences, meaning Angelenos on the roads and freeways. Prior to 1986, public art was highly unregulated in Los Angeles, and there was no mention of murals in city code. Even after the term “mural signs” was included in municipal language, this was not clearly defined. Private and commercial interests sought to capitalize on this, claiming to have the same rights as muralists under the First Amendment, arguing that there is no distinction between outdoor advertising, billboards, signage, and public mural art. In fact, the outdoor advertisement industry filed several lawsuits against the city, leading to the imposition of an all-out moratorium on all mural painting in Los Angeles in 2002, much to the chagrin of local street artists and would-be advertisers alike. Though the mural ban has not always been strictly enforced, it has forced L.A. leaders and constituents to seriously reflect on the status quo. Since then, Los Angeles planners, council members, artists, and commercial interests, have been immersed in a decade-long battle and convoluted negotiations. All stakeholders have been grappling with how to bring an end to this ban, and appropriately regulate outdoor signage, including digital billboards and vinyl prints. Last August, after 11 long years, the L.A. City Council voted to lift the mural ban, amending the city code, and signing a new ordinance into law at the beginning of September. Some of the main considerations the ordinance has focused on is how and if to permit and grandfather in certain “sign districts”, such as in the case of Hollywood, which has been in place since 2004, and like is now being proposed for Broadway. These special districts allow neon and off-site signage primarily on the basis that it is a historic feature of the neighborhood. Muralist and street artists have also been forced to articulate how their art differs from strictly illegal graffiti and tagging. One local Boyle Height’s muralist, Lilia Ramirez (Lilyflor Art) asserts, “People don’t realize that many small business owners commission muralists to paint murals on their walls in order to deter graffiti. Murals of the Virgin Mary, for example, have traditionally been used in such a way, as her image is highly respected within many Latino communities.” Though Ramirez is optimistic with the recent legal developments, she still fears that the regulatory and permitting process could stifle or censor artistic voices, especially throughout traditionally disenfranchised neighborhoods of the city. But it looks like the City is both aware of, and addressing, some of these fears through participatory planning. Case in point, in one of the most recent developments in the matter, the City Council tentatively approved a pilot program allowing mural permitting on single-family homes in the neighborhoods of Eagle Rock, Cypress Park, Boyle Heights, as well as in Downtown and bordering South L.A. Only time will tell if Los Angeles will truly reclaim its throne as the “Mural Capital of the World”, by also restoring some of its past murals and glory. For more information from various angles and for latest developments on the new mural ordinance, visit some of the following sites: Ban Billboard Blight L.A. City Council Connect Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles Mobile Mural Lab United Painters and Public Artists |
City Reports for Práctica Journal
On Its 232nd Birthday L.A. Celebrates Its Multi-Cultural Heritage on Foot & Bike 10/31/2013 - On August 31st, Los Angeles celebrated its 232nd Birthday by staging a symbolic approximate 10-mile walk and bike to the city’s birthplace. Legend has it that Los Angeles was founded on September 4, 1781, by a diverse group of families, or the pobladores, made up of 44 settlers of Indian, African and Spanish descent. Though the facts are unclear, presenting a can of worms for Los Angeles historians, the old tradition states that L.A.’s original pobladores congregated at San Gabriel Mission, before setting off to the new site that would give birth to the new city of Los Angeles. The birthday celebration and longstanding tradition (whether entirely true or not) sends a powerful message to Angelenos today. The birthday celebration and longstanding tradition (whether entirely true or not) sends a powerful message to Angelenos today— that L.A.’s history is firmly rooted in tolerance, not only for ethnic and racial diversity, but also for multi-modal forms of transportation. In other words, it reminds Angelenos of its multi-cultural roots. These are ever-present throughout all of Los Angeles, but especially all along its still underdog Eastside, in the jagged hillside neighborhoods and early L.A. suburbs of Eaglerock, Highland Park and El Sereno. The story also reminds Angelenos that getting by on foot, and perhaps on horse in the 18th Century, was actually possible at one point. For many, this is serves as a small beacon that the city can again adopt a more human scale, where walkers and cyclists alike, can find some space to share amongst the freeways, suburbs and sprawl that have dominated L.A. since it’s automobile-centric, post-war development. In fact, there seems to be more multi-modal action brewing in L.A. these days. The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition established in 1998 has been steadily gaining membership in the last decade or so. According to the LACBC’s L.A. Bike and Ped Count, the number of pedestrians and bicyclists is on the rise, with over 15,000 bicyclists and 75,000 pedestrians counted in 2011. This year’s L.A. Bike and Ped Count took place in early September, and 2013 bicyclist and ped figures are expected to rise. Organizations such as CicLAvia, L.A. Bike Trains and volunteer-run Los Angeles Walks are part of a newer generation of creative and grassroots advocacy folks that have emerged in the last few years, adding greater dimension and depth, as well as a very collaborative spirit to the L.A.’s very own increasingly robust people-powered movement. Los Angeles Walks, for example, has partnered up with LACBC and CicLAvia in order to raise awareness about the need to make L.A. both bicycle and pedestrian friendly. And it is doing so with very limited sources of funding. Over a nice Japanese curry lunch in Downtown’s Little Tokyo, City of L.A. Planning Assistant and L.A. Walks volunteer, My La, explained to me that activities such as L.A.’s Birthday celebration and campaigns sponsored by groups like L.A. Walks, “give Angelenos the opportunity to experience and discover L.A. on foot, and most importantly, to have fun while doing so.” A true ped-planning enthusiast, her Master’s thesis at Cal Poly Pomona aims to show that effective pedestrian planning can lead to more safety for those on foot. My La, who has also volunteered to assist in analyzing the results from this year’s L.A. Bike and Ped Count, recalled one of her favorite inspirational quotes during our lunch, "The world reveals itself to those who travel on foot." by Werner Herzog. Angelenos may be pleasantly surprised to find this quote applies to their city, as well. |
Guest Blog Posts
Barcelona's Mosaic of Neighborhoods
09/17/2012 - With so many layers to unravel, it’s no wonder Barcelona has often been called the great enchantress. Together, el Barri Gòtic, L’Eixample and Gràcia, give you a sense of Barcelona’s historical evolution and cultural fabric, representing the face of modern Barcelona today. The Gothic quarter is made up of a Roman core dating back over 2,000 years, as well as medieval suburbs such as el Borne and el Raval. In the mid-19th century, the Eixample, literally meaning “extension” in Catalan, brings together the old medieval city and other small settlements forming outside Barcelona, such as the village of Gràcia. Read more.
7 Tips for Effective Social Networking in Barcelona, Spain
04/06/2011 - Arriving in a new city without knowing very many people can be daunting. If you are anything like me, you may have only known a handful of people upon arriving in enchanting Barcelona. If you are lucky enough to come as part of a study abroad program, you’ve got a head start. But even for students or newly relocated young or sophisticated professionals, making friends with similar interests, and social networking here in Barcelona can be a surprisingly complicated process to figure out. The aim here is not to get you fully integrated into Catalan society. You might need to learn some Catalan for that! Catalans are notoriously known for being rather reserved and understated. One of my friends compares Catalunyans to Bostonians; an astute observation. In any case, you will undoubtedly make Catalan, other Spanish and international friends and contacts. This post simply intends to give you a few important pointers to get you started and face this challenge fearlessly. I should also add that this was the approach that I used with great success. My focus is learning to use resources, mostly online, effectively. If you are a bit gauche, and I doubt that you are, you may have to work a tad harder on refining your personal social graces and tact.
Tip 1: Step Out of Your Comfort Zone & Meet the Locals -You've taken a huge step moving to a new city on your own. That certainly takes courage. Now, keep that momentum going. When you first arrive, it truly is important to connect with any and all contacts that you may have. This isn’t the time to be radically selective about the company you want to keep. You need to let people know who you are, why you are here, and that you are looking to make new friends, meet new people, play sports, advance professionally or what have you.
Embrace as many opportunities as you can to meet that “friend of a friend” for a cafecito or cervecita. In my case, I met with fellow Cornelians, professors and past travel buddies. Make sure to ask these people about clubs or networks that they are members of. It is through these initial contacts that you will most probably make many of your primary contacts and friends. More than anything, your initial contacts and friends are invaluable sources of experience and information. Again, ask questions, listen carefully and take notes if necessary. :)
Never underestimate the power of word of mouth and the opinions of friends to let you know which clubs, groups and events are actually most worth your time. In the end, you can decide for yourself, but it’s good to gather feedback from the start. Finally, don’t be shy or afraid to go out on your own! It's always nice to have a wingman (or lady), but occasionally, you'll have to suck it up and show up solo. I'm not saying you should go to bars and clubs on your own all the time, but rather, to learn to be comfortable in your own skin. Sign up for classes, events or things to do on your own if you can't find a partner. You'll meet people there.
Tip 2: Get Informed By Reading Local Media - There are literally hundreds of publications in English, Spanish and Catalan, which aim to keep Barcelona denizens in the know about everything that is happening around town. Make sure to get cozy with Google for a few days to explore some of these vital sources. Peruse various sites and get into the habit of checking them regularly. Remember to like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and to subscribe to any relevant email newsletters, as well. This will guarantee that information lands at your fingertips.
Needless, to say, this will also require you to filter information more carefully. If you use Gmail, for example, create filters for various email subscriptions. This will keep your inbox organized, and keep you sane. Loquo, Barcelona Metropolitan, Time Out Barcelona and SuiteLife Barcelona, are just a few of the online magazines that are bursting with information about city life. Remember, don’t just sit there and read about what’s going on, get out there and become a part of it all!
Tip 3: Join Clubs, Groups or Teams - So you have met with a few contacts, looked up information online and attended a few events, but you’re still feeling a tad lonely or out of the loop? Well, don’t give up just yet! Join a few more specialized groups. Meetup, for example, is a great online resource that aims to bring like-minded people-- interested in anything from brunch to yoga to hiking to personal development-- together. I actually joined several groups, but didn't really attend too many events. Still, it's always good to keep an eye out on these types of social and recreational possibilities.
Joining groups and events put on by such groups need not be expensive (though some do charge) and can add a sense of regularity or routine to your new life in this fabulous Catalan town. Also, people are usually members of various groups, so through these, you can learn about still more groups or teams to join. If you are really into sports, join a local team. El Corte Ingles hosts groups that train to run marathons together, for example. There are also opportunities for group rollerblading (Patinadores de Barcelona), volleyball (Associacion Ikaria) and capoeira. I hope to try all of these in Barcelona, if I can.
Keep in mind that sometimes groups can get quite specific, say for Americans (American Society of Barcelona), or women entrepreneurs (Red de Emprendedoras), or even for aspiring theatre and circus people. Even if you don’t exactly fit into a certain classification, consider joining them. They aren’t usually that exclusive and are still a great way to make more contacts. Furthermore, many people in Barcelona, like me and perhaps you, wear many hats and attendance in groups overlaps greatly. Eventually, you’ll definitely start to see familiar faces at various events. Barcelona really isn’t that big. Oh and again, make sure you look up the pages for these groups on Facebook.
Two other interesting networks (groups) that come to mind are: WebBar, for all you Social media enthusiasts. This was started by two awesome friends, Bjoern & Jan, and meets monthly. They recently had their one year anniversary. And, Eurocircle Barcelona, whose events have a casual, yet chic, singles and B2B slant! It's well organized. The last event was at Barcelo Raval, a fantastic lounge & venue. You have to check out the rooftop terrace!
Tip 4: Get an Internship or Volunteer - Still not satisfied with your social network? Depending on your work or study situation, this tip may or may not apply to you, but if you don’t already have a job or if you aren’t studying in Barcelona, find a way to either volunteer or get an internship! For me, getting an internship was a critical way to make friends and to expand my network, both socially and professional.
Again, use sources like Loquo and Barcelona Metropolitan and send your CV out to a as many places as you can. The commitment need not be full-time, and will also, most likely, not be paid. But, if you’ve got the time, taking on a small job like this could be a wise move. You’ll be keeping your CV updated, while also interacting and expanding your social network.
Just to differentiate, internships are quite easy to come by here. In fact, Barcelona has a bit of a reputation for attracting young students to intern on the cheap. Similarly, though Barcelona is not exactly the mecca for nonprofit work or activities, this is a sector that appears to be growing slowly, so this may be an interesting area to look into. Some examples of (large) nonprofits that operate in Barcelona are Oxfam, Humana (I actually have a friend that works at Humana) and WWF.
Tip 5: Squeeze Everything You Can Out of Social Media & Follow Up - Did I mention Facebook yet?? Big brother is watching you! You may not be a big fan of Facebook or Twitter for that matter, but the fact is that they are ubiquitous. If you learn how to use Facebook and Twitter as tools, you can truly get tons and tons of information out of them. Almost all social networking groups have a presence on Facebook. Again, remember to like their pages or join groups on Facebook to get information coming to your news feed. Like with your email, you may need to adjust the settings so as to prevent information overload and spam.
Oh and of course, make sure to FOLLOW UP with people who you’ve met when out and about, and add them as friends if you think you might get along. If you become Facebook friends, you can look at some of their groups and the pages they like to get some ideas about what else you can do in Barcelona. A little stalking can actually be productive sometimes. ;) I should also add that there is a social networking site called Tuenti that is apparently very popular here in Spain, but I wouldn't know, since I've never been on it.
If you go out for drinks or dancing, a classic way to have fun and meet people in all of Spain, make sure to look up the venues, bars or clubs you are attending online and like them on Facebook, too. These are also great sources of information about other upcoming events. Eventually, you’ll start getting invited to more parties and events than you can ever dream of attending. Finally, use Linkedin as well, especially to network with local professionals in your field here in BCN.
Tip 6: Register For & Attend Special Events - Barcelona is arguably an events person's most ideal city to reside or work in. Aside from regular monthly or weekly events, there are also special events that occur annually that deal with art, music, etc. There are book fairs, mobile conferences (World Mobile Congress), entrepreneurial events, and newer events such as Barcelona Twestival. Learn about these and fit them into your calendars if you think they align with your interests or are important for your goals. You never know who you might meet at these, and the commitment is minimal! Note: These may charge or require pre-registration.
Tip 7: Woah, Feeling Event Overload? Get More Selective - After a few weeks or months, if you’ve followed my advice, you may actually start to wonder if you are spending too much time socializing and attending events. Again, it depends on your situation and personality, but to truly maximize your efforts, this may be a good time to regroup and think about which clubs, activities and events are the most interesting and useful for you given your interests, and social or professional goals. Now may be the time for you to become a bit more selective.
Remember, always ask friends for their opinions. Also, some groups such as Meetup allow for member feedback. Have a quick look at what others are saying. Try to stick with a group for a while before leaving it, but learn to attend events that you think may help you deepen or expand your most important connections.
---
I hope you’ve found these tips to be useful. Like I said, this was my approach and it has worked for me thus far. I am outgoing, social media savvy, and love to explore and try new things. At the same time, through this experience, I have also learned to be a bit more selective when attending events and signing up for activities. Take what you can from these tips and tweak them to fit your life, goals and personality, hence creating your own approach. Needless to say, you can also use some of these strategies in other cities, too. If you have any questions about anything I've written, or suggestions or feedback, please let me know. You can send me an email at: ericagut[at]gmail.com. You can also follow me on Twitter: ericagut. Good luck…Buena suerte….Bona sort!
Are You Ready for a Market Crash? Then Visit the Dow Jones Bar in Barcelona
04/08/2011 - Tucked away on C/Bruc, 97, near Diagonal and C/Arago in the Eixample Right district of Barcelona is the Dow Jones Bar! From the outside, the place is definitely inconspicuous. But once you walk in, you immediately realize there is more than meets the eye in this joint. Just as the name suggests, the Dow Jones Bar Barcelona gives you a bit of a feeling of being in Manhattan’s one and only financial district. The first thing you’ll probably notice when ordering a drink, is that the all of the prices on the monitor are fluctuating, following the same principles as the NYC stock exchange. So, if you aren’t too fussy about what you’d like to drink, you can just order whatever is cheapest at the time. But beware, occasionally there’s a market crash, and all the prices will change! You’ll know since lights and sirens throughout the place will come on to alert you.
The décor truly carries out the theme exquisitely. They’ve posted a short history about the NYC stock exchange, clocks showing the time in NYC and other financial capitals such as London and Frankfurt, as well photos of traders on Wall Street and a small statue of a charging bull, the symbol of Wall Street. As if that’s not enough memorabilia to recreate the spirit of NYC, they also have a human-sized replica of Statue of Liberty.
What makes this bar even more interesting, is the fact that it’s Dutch-owned. That’s right, so you’re guaranteed an awesome selection of brews to satisfy your palette. Our group had Dutch framboise-flavored beer and a classic Dutch Leffe. They offer a diverse array of tapas from Mexican stuffed jalapenos and nachos to Spanish patatas bravas. The best thing on the menu is by far the “bitterballen”. These are a Dutch specialty that will pair up nicely with your Dutch beer.
The ambience is inviting and draws a mixed crowd of locals, as well as international folks. We arrived at about 10pm on a Thursday night, and people were still showing up at about midnight. It really is the type of place you can go to most any day of the week and find a decent crowd. The bar staff is friendly and even more international than their tapas and patrons! On any given night, you’ll be served by the likes of: Mexican Spice Diana, Beauty Kasse American Mistress and/or Hood Helgi Hoooligan.
If you’re still not convinced, you’ll love the music. They played a good selection of 80s and 90s jams, including songs by artists such as Cyndi Lauper, Michael Jackson and the Cure. Some of the most memorable songs of the night were "Ice Ice Baby", "Funkytown" and "Baby Got Back". And the icing on the cake? There’s a pool table at the back! This pub has it all.
Apparently, there’s a bar called Amsterdam just around the corner that just doesn’t quite compare to the Dow Jones Bar. How ironic! One of the local Dutch regulars shared this tidbit of information with me. How’s that for credibility?
Other Writing Highlights
Perspectives and Lessons from Modern Planning and Preservation Models in Barcelona and Los Angeles | Cornell University Masters Thesis, January 2014
Green Affordable in the Bronx, NY Poster | Fall 2010
Sustaining Trends in Green Affordable Housing | Winter 2009
Housing & Family-Friendly Communities | Spring 2009
Cornell Urban Scholars Program Brochure | Spring 2009
Translation Work
Spanish-to-English Translation of the book: Iceberg Sighted: Decision-Making Techniques to Avoid Titanic Disasters Spring 2011, Available on Amazon.com.
Past Blog(s)
Erica Piensa, etc. (Maintained during my time in Barcelona from 2010-2012)
Barcelona's Mosaic of Neighborhoods
09/17/2012 - With so many layers to unravel, it’s no wonder Barcelona has often been called the great enchantress. Together, el Barri Gòtic, L’Eixample and Gràcia, give you a sense of Barcelona’s historical evolution and cultural fabric, representing the face of modern Barcelona today. The Gothic quarter is made up of a Roman core dating back over 2,000 years, as well as medieval suburbs such as el Borne and el Raval. In the mid-19th century, the Eixample, literally meaning “extension” in Catalan, brings together the old medieval city and other small settlements forming outside Barcelona, such as the village of Gràcia. Read more.
7 Tips for Effective Social Networking in Barcelona, Spain
04/06/2011 - Arriving in a new city without knowing very many people can be daunting. If you are anything like me, you may have only known a handful of people upon arriving in enchanting Barcelona. If you are lucky enough to come as part of a study abroad program, you’ve got a head start. But even for students or newly relocated young or sophisticated professionals, making friends with similar interests, and social networking here in Barcelona can be a surprisingly complicated process to figure out. The aim here is not to get you fully integrated into Catalan society. You might need to learn some Catalan for that! Catalans are notoriously known for being rather reserved and understated. One of my friends compares Catalunyans to Bostonians; an astute observation. In any case, you will undoubtedly make Catalan, other Spanish and international friends and contacts. This post simply intends to give you a few important pointers to get you started and face this challenge fearlessly. I should also add that this was the approach that I used with great success. My focus is learning to use resources, mostly online, effectively. If you are a bit gauche, and I doubt that you are, you may have to work a tad harder on refining your personal social graces and tact.
Tip 1: Step Out of Your Comfort Zone & Meet the Locals -You've taken a huge step moving to a new city on your own. That certainly takes courage. Now, keep that momentum going. When you first arrive, it truly is important to connect with any and all contacts that you may have. This isn’t the time to be radically selective about the company you want to keep. You need to let people know who you are, why you are here, and that you are looking to make new friends, meet new people, play sports, advance professionally or what have you.
Embrace as many opportunities as you can to meet that “friend of a friend” for a cafecito or cervecita. In my case, I met with fellow Cornelians, professors and past travel buddies. Make sure to ask these people about clubs or networks that they are members of. It is through these initial contacts that you will most probably make many of your primary contacts and friends. More than anything, your initial contacts and friends are invaluable sources of experience and information. Again, ask questions, listen carefully and take notes if necessary. :)
Never underestimate the power of word of mouth and the opinions of friends to let you know which clubs, groups and events are actually most worth your time. In the end, you can decide for yourself, but it’s good to gather feedback from the start. Finally, don’t be shy or afraid to go out on your own! It's always nice to have a wingman (or lady), but occasionally, you'll have to suck it up and show up solo. I'm not saying you should go to bars and clubs on your own all the time, but rather, to learn to be comfortable in your own skin. Sign up for classes, events or things to do on your own if you can't find a partner. You'll meet people there.
Tip 2: Get Informed By Reading Local Media - There are literally hundreds of publications in English, Spanish and Catalan, which aim to keep Barcelona denizens in the know about everything that is happening around town. Make sure to get cozy with Google for a few days to explore some of these vital sources. Peruse various sites and get into the habit of checking them regularly. Remember to like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and to subscribe to any relevant email newsletters, as well. This will guarantee that information lands at your fingertips.
Needless, to say, this will also require you to filter information more carefully. If you use Gmail, for example, create filters for various email subscriptions. This will keep your inbox organized, and keep you sane. Loquo, Barcelona Metropolitan, Time Out Barcelona and SuiteLife Barcelona, are just a few of the online magazines that are bursting with information about city life. Remember, don’t just sit there and read about what’s going on, get out there and become a part of it all!
Tip 3: Join Clubs, Groups or Teams - So you have met with a few contacts, looked up information online and attended a few events, but you’re still feeling a tad lonely or out of the loop? Well, don’t give up just yet! Join a few more specialized groups. Meetup, for example, is a great online resource that aims to bring like-minded people-- interested in anything from brunch to yoga to hiking to personal development-- together. I actually joined several groups, but didn't really attend too many events. Still, it's always good to keep an eye out on these types of social and recreational possibilities.
Joining groups and events put on by such groups need not be expensive (though some do charge) and can add a sense of regularity or routine to your new life in this fabulous Catalan town. Also, people are usually members of various groups, so through these, you can learn about still more groups or teams to join. If you are really into sports, join a local team. El Corte Ingles hosts groups that train to run marathons together, for example. There are also opportunities for group rollerblading (Patinadores de Barcelona), volleyball (Associacion Ikaria) and capoeira. I hope to try all of these in Barcelona, if I can.
Keep in mind that sometimes groups can get quite specific, say for Americans (American Society of Barcelona), or women entrepreneurs (Red de Emprendedoras), or even for aspiring theatre and circus people. Even if you don’t exactly fit into a certain classification, consider joining them. They aren’t usually that exclusive and are still a great way to make more contacts. Furthermore, many people in Barcelona, like me and perhaps you, wear many hats and attendance in groups overlaps greatly. Eventually, you’ll definitely start to see familiar faces at various events. Barcelona really isn’t that big. Oh and again, make sure you look up the pages for these groups on Facebook.
Two other interesting networks (groups) that come to mind are: WebBar, for all you Social media enthusiasts. This was started by two awesome friends, Bjoern & Jan, and meets monthly. They recently had their one year anniversary. And, Eurocircle Barcelona, whose events have a casual, yet chic, singles and B2B slant! It's well organized. The last event was at Barcelo Raval, a fantastic lounge & venue. You have to check out the rooftop terrace!
Tip 4: Get an Internship or Volunteer - Still not satisfied with your social network? Depending on your work or study situation, this tip may or may not apply to you, but if you don’t already have a job or if you aren’t studying in Barcelona, find a way to either volunteer or get an internship! For me, getting an internship was a critical way to make friends and to expand my network, both socially and professional.
Again, use sources like Loquo and Barcelona Metropolitan and send your CV out to a as many places as you can. The commitment need not be full-time, and will also, most likely, not be paid. But, if you’ve got the time, taking on a small job like this could be a wise move. You’ll be keeping your CV updated, while also interacting and expanding your social network.
Just to differentiate, internships are quite easy to come by here. In fact, Barcelona has a bit of a reputation for attracting young students to intern on the cheap. Similarly, though Barcelona is not exactly the mecca for nonprofit work or activities, this is a sector that appears to be growing slowly, so this may be an interesting area to look into. Some examples of (large) nonprofits that operate in Barcelona are Oxfam, Humana (I actually have a friend that works at Humana) and WWF.
Tip 5: Squeeze Everything You Can Out of Social Media & Follow Up - Did I mention Facebook yet?? Big brother is watching you! You may not be a big fan of Facebook or Twitter for that matter, but the fact is that they are ubiquitous. If you learn how to use Facebook and Twitter as tools, you can truly get tons and tons of information out of them. Almost all social networking groups have a presence on Facebook. Again, remember to like their pages or join groups on Facebook to get information coming to your news feed. Like with your email, you may need to adjust the settings so as to prevent information overload and spam.
Oh and of course, make sure to FOLLOW UP with people who you’ve met when out and about, and add them as friends if you think you might get along. If you become Facebook friends, you can look at some of their groups and the pages they like to get some ideas about what else you can do in Barcelona. A little stalking can actually be productive sometimes. ;) I should also add that there is a social networking site called Tuenti that is apparently very popular here in Spain, but I wouldn't know, since I've never been on it.
If you go out for drinks or dancing, a classic way to have fun and meet people in all of Spain, make sure to look up the venues, bars or clubs you are attending online and like them on Facebook, too. These are also great sources of information about other upcoming events. Eventually, you’ll start getting invited to more parties and events than you can ever dream of attending. Finally, use Linkedin as well, especially to network with local professionals in your field here in BCN.
Tip 6: Register For & Attend Special Events - Barcelona is arguably an events person's most ideal city to reside or work in. Aside from regular monthly or weekly events, there are also special events that occur annually that deal with art, music, etc. There are book fairs, mobile conferences (World Mobile Congress), entrepreneurial events, and newer events such as Barcelona Twestival. Learn about these and fit them into your calendars if you think they align with your interests or are important for your goals. You never know who you might meet at these, and the commitment is minimal! Note: These may charge or require pre-registration.
Tip 7: Woah, Feeling Event Overload? Get More Selective - After a few weeks or months, if you’ve followed my advice, you may actually start to wonder if you are spending too much time socializing and attending events. Again, it depends on your situation and personality, but to truly maximize your efforts, this may be a good time to regroup and think about which clubs, activities and events are the most interesting and useful for you given your interests, and social or professional goals. Now may be the time for you to become a bit more selective.
Remember, always ask friends for their opinions. Also, some groups such as Meetup allow for member feedback. Have a quick look at what others are saying. Try to stick with a group for a while before leaving it, but learn to attend events that you think may help you deepen or expand your most important connections.
---
I hope you’ve found these tips to be useful. Like I said, this was my approach and it has worked for me thus far. I am outgoing, social media savvy, and love to explore and try new things. At the same time, through this experience, I have also learned to be a bit more selective when attending events and signing up for activities. Take what you can from these tips and tweak them to fit your life, goals and personality, hence creating your own approach. Needless to say, you can also use some of these strategies in other cities, too. If you have any questions about anything I've written, or suggestions or feedback, please let me know. You can send me an email at: ericagut[at]gmail.com. You can also follow me on Twitter: ericagut. Good luck…Buena suerte….Bona sort!
Are You Ready for a Market Crash? Then Visit the Dow Jones Bar in Barcelona
04/08/2011 - Tucked away on C/Bruc, 97, near Diagonal and C/Arago in the Eixample Right district of Barcelona is the Dow Jones Bar! From the outside, the place is definitely inconspicuous. But once you walk in, you immediately realize there is more than meets the eye in this joint. Just as the name suggests, the Dow Jones Bar Barcelona gives you a bit of a feeling of being in Manhattan’s one and only financial district. The first thing you’ll probably notice when ordering a drink, is that the all of the prices on the monitor are fluctuating, following the same principles as the NYC stock exchange. So, if you aren’t too fussy about what you’d like to drink, you can just order whatever is cheapest at the time. But beware, occasionally there’s a market crash, and all the prices will change! You’ll know since lights and sirens throughout the place will come on to alert you.
The décor truly carries out the theme exquisitely. They’ve posted a short history about the NYC stock exchange, clocks showing the time in NYC and other financial capitals such as London and Frankfurt, as well photos of traders on Wall Street and a small statue of a charging bull, the symbol of Wall Street. As if that’s not enough memorabilia to recreate the spirit of NYC, they also have a human-sized replica of Statue of Liberty.
What makes this bar even more interesting, is the fact that it’s Dutch-owned. That’s right, so you’re guaranteed an awesome selection of brews to satisfy your palette. Our group had Dutch framboise-flavored beer and a classic Dutch Leffe. They offer a diverse array of tapas from Mexican stuffed jalapenos and nachos to Spanish patatas bravas. The best thing on the menu is by far the “bitterballen”. These are a Dutch specialty that will pair up nicely with your Dutch beer.
The ambience is inviting and draws a mixed crowd of locals, as well as international folks. We arrived at about 10pm on a Thursday night, and people were still showing up at about midnight. It really is the type of place you can go to most any day of the week and find a decent crowd. The bar staff is friendly and even more international than their tapas and patrons! On any given night, you’ll be served by the likes of: Mexican Spice Diana, Beauty Kasse American Mistress and/or Hood Helgi Hoooligan.
If you’re still not convinced, you’ll love the music. They played a good selection of 80s and 90s jams, including songs by artists such as Cyndi Lauper, Michael Jackson and the Cure. Some of the most memorable songs of the night were "Ice Ice Baby", "Funkytown" and "Baby Got Back". And the icing on the cake? There’s a pool table at the back! This pub has it all.
Apparently, there’s a bar called Amsterdam just around the corner that just doesn’t quite compare to the Dow Jones Bar. How ironic! One of the local Dutch regulars shared this tidbit of information with me. How’s that for credibility?
Other Writing Highlights
Perspectives and Lessons from Modern Planning and Preservation Models in Barcelona and Los Angeles | Cornell University Masters Thesis, January 2014
Green Affordable in the Bronx, NY Poster | Fall 2010
Sustaining Trends in Green Affordable Housing | Winter 2009
Housing & Family-Friendly Communities | Spring 2009
Cornell Urban Scholars Program Brochure | Spring 2009
Translation Work
Spanish-to-English Translation of the book: Iceberg Sighted: Decision-Making Techniques to Avoid Titanic Disasters Spring 2011, Available on Amazon.com.
Past Blog(s)
Erica Piensa, etc. (Maintained during my time in Barcelona from 2010-2012)
Planetizen Feature Article
Graduating Into the Workplace: Perspectives from Recent Planning Grads
06/12/2013 - As a new cohort of young planners prepares to enter the field, more than a dozen recent graduates share their insights on how to make the most of a planning education and navigate one of the most challenging job environments in recent memory.
For those who graduated during the latest recession and its aftermath, stepping out of the safety of the ivory tower and into the murky waters of the working world certainly produced some trepidation. A challenging employment environment created by intense competition for scarce openings has required a diverse set of strategies to land an opportunity to put that planning degree into action. Read more.
06/12/2013 - As a new cohort of young planners prepares to enter the field, more than a dozen recent graduates share their insights on how to make the most of a planning education and navigate one of the most challenging job environments in recent memory.
For those who graduated during the latest recession and its aftermath, stepping out of the safety of the ivory tower and into the murky waters of the working world certainly produced some trepidation. A challenging employment environment created by intense competition for scarce openings has required a diverse set of strategies to land an opportunity to put that planning degree into action. Read more.
Planetizen News Summaries
|
L.A.'s Rail Revolution Celebrates 20 Years
02/04/2013 - Dave Sotero reflects on the "mammoth undertaking" necessary to build L.A.'s modern subway system. He begins with the completion of the first phase of the Metro Red Line 20 years ago, and ends with a look at its promising future. David Sotero reports, "Today, Metro marks the 20th anniversary of the Metro Red Line’s first phase from Union Station to MacArthur Park, a nearly 4.5-mile construction milestone that began a brand new chapter in regional rail construction and placing L.A. among other major cities across the globe with high-speed, high-capacity subways." He recounts its "quixotic" history, spearheaded by former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, which required "$1.431 billion for the initial segment" that was started in 1986 and opened in 1993. Read more. Stripping the Veneer Off LEED-Platinum
01/23/2013 - Is a new luxury 6,721 square-foot home located in a gated community on the far outskirts of Las Vegas truly “the new face of efficiency"? Kaid Benfield elaborates on how the LEED certification system can be so easily gamed. The new LEED-Platinum state-of-the-art home built by Blue Heron Homes in Henderson, Nevada occupies twice as much land, and is three times the size, of the average new-home in a US metro area. Not only that, but it is 1.2 miles to the nearest transit stop, and scores a meager 38 out of 100 for walkability. And yet, it has earned the the highest level of LEED certification. Read more. The Tokyo Model: From Post-War Slum to Superpower
1/20/2013 - In this compelling essay, authors Matias Echanove and Rahul Srivastava take a look at Tokyo's post-war development and explore how lessons learned from its unplanned growth may be useful for other rapidly urbanizing Asian cities today. In a recent addition to the Rockefeller Foundation's Informal City Dialogues, Matias Echanove and Rahul Srivastava show how user involvement, incremental development, and the integration of neighborhoods into a larger urban system, led to an "economic miracle" in Tokyo. They illustrate how this "Tokyo Model" could be applied in cities and slums in the developing world, potentially redefining "good urbanism" in the 21st century. Read more. Has Europe Reached Its Car Peak?
01/18/2013 - Declining populations and economic malaise in many European countries are just some of the forces contributing to what most agree seems like a lasting decline in the continent's demand for automobiles. “Europeans are driving less and are likely to continue doing so,” observes Matthew Curtin. Stuart Pearson, an analyst at Morgan Stanley attributes this to “a wide range of forces–from high fuel costs, increased online shopping and social interaction, to more congested roads in increasingly crowded European cities.” Furthermore, “ownership, demographic and vehicle-age trends [suggest] that a recovery in Europe could remain elusive for the rest of this decade,” reports Curtin. Read more. Reviewing a Smaller Year in Taller Buildings
01/13/2013 - The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat has released its annual report on the state of skyscraper construction. Worldwide, 2012 witnessed the completion of 66 buildings taller than 200 meters, including the second tallest in the world. Though tall building construction lulled for the first time in 6 years, it is expected to rise in 2013 and 2014. Milestones over the past year included the completion of the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel in Saudi Arabia, now the second tallest building in the world and one of the world's two 'megatall' structures, at 601 meters. Also, four of the six tallest buildings completed in 2012 are located in Dubai. Read more. Move Over iPad, the Digital Globe Has Arrived
01/11/2013 - Can dynamic digital globes compete with flatter technologies like today’s iPad? Mark Vanhoenacker explores some of the possibilities these modern spheres may bring to places of work, study and play. Vanhoenacker reports on the seemingly infinite possibilities of new and increasingly more affordable three-dimensional technologies that could be useful for what seems like anyone and everywhere. Read more. Emerging Street Life of So Cal's San Fernando Valley Threatened
01/06/2013 - L.A. Times architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne reports on the changing nature of Lankershim Blvd., which appears to be at a crossroads between integrating transit into a multi-modal future or turning to outdated planning strategies. The most vital north-south corridor in the San Fernando Valley “is emphatically on the rise” reports Hawthorne. In the latest entry in his excellent series on L.A.'s boulevards, he looks at how Lankershim Boulevard illustrates how the "hierarchy of Southern California boulevards is being reshuffled by the growth of the region's bus and rail network." Read more. |
3 Simple Ways to Make Streets More Walkable
02/01/2013 - Although leaders in the Twin Cities seem to agree on the need to improve the appeal of city streets for those on foot, turning those words into actions seems difficult. Bill Lindeke offers three easy solutions that don't involve touching the street. Though 'improving walkability' seems to be in every comprehensive plan developed in Minneapolis and St Paul, when it comes time for implementation it's a different story. Bill Lindeke explains, “when it comes down to any one particular project, the situation seems to change. A proposal goes out for traffic calming (say, on South Nicollet Avenue), and all of a sudden each parking space becomes crucial to the city’s economy, each lane of asphalt becomes vital to the regional transportation network, and (I’m sorry but) there’s no money to do anything at this time.” Read more. Can One Man Transform a Struggling Chicago Neighborhood?
01/23/2013 - From education to housing to health, Chicago's Gary Comer, billionaire founder of Lands' End, invested millions into the struggling South Side neighborhood of Pocket Town in a mission to transform it into a beacon of hope for the community. Although it was never Gary Comer's intention to see the fruits of his labor in his lifetime, from one venture to the next, he's invested $86 million into projects aiming to improve Pocket Town, the neighborhood where he grew up in Chicago's South Side. Read more. The Rise of the Trophy Rental
01/19/2013 - Renting out luxury homes has become an attractive choice in today's housing market. High-end renters get many of the benefits of owning a home, with greater built-in flexibility, and without the financial risk. “A growing number of people who can afford to buy trophy homes are, instead, opting for a more temporary solution: the trophy rental,” write Candace Jackson and Lauren Schuker Blum. Luxury renters are opting to invest in other markets and ventures, rather than “tying up their money in steep down payments” they add. Families and singles alike are opting to rent instead of buy and are even willing to make substantial investments in perfecting their interim abodes. Read more. Are Apps the Answer to Oakland's Problems?
01/14/2013 - Azeen Ghorayshi looks at how Oakland's civic hackers are trying to change the city through technology -- giving people greater access to data, increasing transparency, and keeping people better informed -- all with minimal investment by the city. In 2007, Michal Migurski took an outdated and cumbersome city crime-mapping website that "contained useful information" and converted it into "Oakland Crimespotting" a far more successful website "that allows people to track crimes by date, neighborhood, and crime type, all laid out on a relatively intuitive interactive map," writes Ghorayshi. The only caveat: He did it by hacking into the city's data. Read more. Mapping Chicago's Growing Cornucopia of Urban Gardens
01/12/2013 - In Chicago, like in many cities, local food production comes in many forms, from small backyard crops to community gardens. Researchers are now using Google Earth to paint a more accurate picture of food production at different scales. Cities are becoming increasingly interested in taking stock of “how much food is being produced within their limits," reports Sarah Zielinksi, adding, “[but they] can only guess at where exactly crops are growing.” After a frustrating attempt by graduate students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to verify a list of 1,200 supposed community garden projects in Chicago found only 13 percent of the sites were used to grow food, graduate student John Taylor turned to Google Earth for help. Read more. Light Rail Planning Gone Bad: Lessons from Santa Clara County
01/11/2013 - After 25 years, Santa Clara's light rail has failed to live up to its promise, proving to be “among the least successful in the nation” reports Mike Rosenberg, while “serving as a constant reminder that the car is still king in Silicon Valley." Despite expanding out over a stretch of 42.2 miles, with 62 stations, and serving 32,000 one-way commuters, Silicon Valley's VTA system is still considered to be one of the most costly, slow, inefficient and under-utilized in the nation, writes Rosenberg. Read more. Will Hong Kong's 'Parking Space Bubble' Burst?
01/05/2013 - In Hong Kong, new government policies to curb real estate speculation in housing markets have led investors to turn elsewhere for quick, lucrative profits - the market for parking spaces. “The hottest properties in this frenetic city have no walls, windows or even front doors. Forget condos, apartments and homes,” writes David Pierson. “Real estate investors are scrambling for parking spaces.” Parking space transactions are up five-fold and average parking space prices have risen 20% from the previous year. Recorded sales and offers on highly coveted parking spaces can soar past half a million dollars. Read more. |
As Canada Heats Up, Officials Scramble to Keep Up
01/24/2013 - "Canada is getting hotter faster than ever before and at a faster rate than almost any other country," reports Anna Mehler Paperny, and the country's infrastructure, public health, and economy are vulnerable to unforeseen impacts. As Canadian communities begin to apply new temperature norms, a decennial task, they are faced with abnormal trends. "Average temperatures are rising across the board, during winter most of all. In the past 65 years, Canada’s national average winter temperature has risen 3.2 degrees," reports Anna Mehler Paperny. She adds, "Rain, snow, sleet and hail storms are becoming more erratic. What were once considered exceptional weather patterns – the kind researchers reject to avoid skewing their data – are becoming common." Read more. Building Storm Defenses While Turning a Profit
01/21/2013 - The Rockefeller Foundation unveils its innovative plan to incentivize private investors to provide the infrastructure solutions for eight U.S. cities most vulnerable to extreme storms and rising seas. Hurricane Sandy has brought the need for effective disaster planning to the forefront, but the question remains as to how critical infrastructure projects will be financed in these austere economic times. Though public-private partnerships offer much potential, the bottom line still drives corporate investment, and profitability is no promise. Read more. 5 Good Reasons Why Children Should Walk To School
01/19/2013 - Susan Elkin points to alarmingly low statistics on the number of children who walk to school, especially when compared with historic rates. She lays out some “blindingly obvious” and “child-centered” reasons why this trend needs to be reversed. Elkin writes, “[a] study from the University of Westminster has this week shown that only 25 per cent of primary school pupils now travel home alone as opposed to 86 per cent in 1971 and 76 per cent today in Germany.” She outlines five reasons why it should be normal rather than exceptional for children to walk to school without parental supervision. Read more. Reviewing a Smaller Year in Taller Buildings
01/13/2013 - The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat has released its annual report on the state of skyscraper construction. Worldwide, 2012 witnessed the completion of 66 buildings taller than 200 meters, including the second tallest in the world. Though tall building construction lulled for the first time in 6 years, it is expected to rise in 2013 and 2014. Milestones over the past year included the completion of the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel in Saudi Arabia, now the second tallest building in the world and one of the world's two 'megatall' structures, at 601 meters. Also, four of the six tallest buildings completed in 2012 are located in Dubai. Read more. How Art Inspires L.A.'s Public Transit Commuters
01/12/2013 - As the L.A. metro continues to expand, so do opportunities for artists to showcase their art. For transit riders, this adds an important element to their daily journey, making the commuting experience all the more memorable. Liesl Bradner reports on how the Metro Art program chooses to allocate the .5% of construction costs that are dedicated to the installation of art along Los Angeles’ expanding transit network. Established in 1989, the program has now benefited over 300 artists and poets, and 80 stations, adding a cheerful dimension to the Los Angeles transit commute. Read more. After 150 Years of Service, What's the Prognosis for London's Tube?
01/07/2013 - Dave Hill reflects on the history and outlook for the world's first underground train. He beckons Londoners to do the same, and to contemplate on how to best help the London Underground flourish in the future. Nearing the anniversary of the day London's first underground train made the three-and-a-half mile trip from Paddington to Farringdon, Hill calls on Londoners to stop their whining about the Tube, and to instead be thankful that after 150 years, the Underground -- delays, upgrades and all -- is still in service. Read more. Could Fortress-Like Schools Prevent Shootings?
01/01/2013 - The mass shooting at Newton, Connecticut brought gun control, violence in TV and video games, and mental health care to the forefront of a national debate. As talk turns to school design, architects consider the tradeoffs of fortress-like schools. Since the mass school shooting in Columbine, Colorado in 1999, metal detectors and routinely locked doors are a ubiquitous part of school design, reports C. J. Hughes, and some feel this may be sending the wrong message to students. “Buildings tell stories, and when a building is designed [with bars and other fortifying techniques], it tells you that it doesn’t trust you. Read more. |
|
Growing Pains Cloud New Delhi's Future
01/01/2013 - Delhi’s unpleasant pollution predicament, and its ensuing health consequences, are causing environmentalists, doctors and local officials to grow increasingly alarmed. Delhi’s unyielding pollution problems came to the forefront last month, “[w]hen an acrid blanket of gray smog settled over” the city, writes Niharika Mandhana. Environmentalists became concerned and state officials baffled as they sought to better understand “why the air had suddenly gone so bad” she adds. Read more. |
Historic Homes Are Losing Visitors, But Perhaps There’s An App for That
12/29/2012 - Of the thousands of historic homes across the country, many are seeing steep declines in visitors, reports J. Freedom du Lac. Consolidation and new technologies, such as smartphone apps, may be the best alternatives to closing doors. Many house museums in history-rich states such as Virginia are grappling with dwindling attendance numbers, and though this trend can be traced back to the mid-seventies, more recent “[e]conomic forces are partly to blame” reports Freedom du Lac. Read more. |
NYC's Historic Buildings Steal the Energy-Efficiency Spotlight
12/29/2012 - NYC's recently released energy efficiency ratings are full of surprises: 1930s landmarks such as the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings outperformed later mid-century structures, as well as contemporary LEED-rated designs. In New York City, the heating and cooling of buildings accounts for a staggering 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. For the last three years, the Bloomberg administration has mandated that the city largest commercial buildings track their energy usage to help the city attain its goal of cutting all emissions by a third by 2030. Read more. |
|
NYC's Historic Buildings Steal the Energy-Efficiency Spotlight
12/29/2012 - NYC's recently released energy efficiency ratings are full of surprises: 1930s landmarks such as the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings outperformed later mid-century structures, as well as contemporary LEED-rated designs. In New York City, the heating and cooling of buildings accounts for a staggering 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. For the last three years, the Bloomberg administration has mandated that the city largest commercial buildings track their energy usage to help the city attain its goal of cutting all emissions by a third by 2030. Read more. |
Is Columbia University Snubbing Harlem Architects?
12/24/2012 - Arch527, a coalition of African-American architects from Harlem with an impressive portfolio, says Columbia University is failing to include them in its $6.3 billion campus expansion into West Harlem, in violation of a community benefits agreement. Though Arch527 has worked on million dollar projects, alongside international architectural firms, and can boast having the highest certifications by the American Institute of Architects, their bids to work on Columbia's 17-acre billion dollar campus expansion, have been largely ignored. Read more. |
Despite Sandy, Brooklyn Waterfront Still Primed for Development
12/24/2012 - “Several new developments are slated for construction in areas damaged by the storm such as Gowanus, Red Hook, and DUMBO,” writes Nicole Anderson, raising concerns about the appropriateness of development there and proper due diligence. Though climate change and rising sea levels are a newly tangible risk to waterfront properties in New York, “developers have no intention of walking away from these projects” asserts Anderson, adding, “[i]nstead, they say they're taking into account the impact of the storm and re-thinking certain elements of their plans.” Read more. |
MORE PLANETIZEN NEWS SUMMARIES...
12/23/2012 - China's Very Own Donald Trump Moves Mountains for New City
China is moving mountains again, but this time it isn't a legendary peasant doing the moving, but instead, Yan Jiehe, former teacher, big time developer and one of China's richest men, who is behind it all. “In what is being billed as the largest 'mountain-moving project' in Chinese history, one of China's biggest construction firms will spend £2.2bn to flatten 700 mountains levelling the area Lanzhou, allowing developers to build a new metropolis on the outskirts of the north-western city,” reports Jonathan Kaiman. Read more.
12/23/2012 - 'Star Apartments' Beget New Universe of Homeless Housing
In Los Angeles, the Skid Row Housing Trust is breaking past precedent by building modular, but vibrant, housing aimed at emulating city-life; giving residents a sense of community, and a new lease on life. In the past, the Skid Row Housing Trust has opted to renovate abandoned buildings to convert them into well-designed, and discrete homeless shelters. This time, the Trust is varying its approach, building from scratch and taking the pre-fab route -- and it's doing so on time and on budget. Read more.
12/19/2012 - Why are Americans Preferring to Stay Put?
Americans are less mobile than they were decades ago and it's unclear why. Possible explanations include the recession, habits based on family make-up, as well as telecommuting and job trends, but none of these proposed reasons can be easily proven. According to recently released U.S. Census data [PDF] from the Current Population Survey, American mobility rates are at an all time low. “About 100 million people (aged 5 and up) lived in a different home or apartment in 2010 than they did in 2005” reports Eric Jaffe, “[b]ut that total is down from 107 million movers between 2000 and 2005, and the latest mobility rate is 10 points off the peak rate back in the mid-1970s.” Read more.
12/16/2012 - Creative Corridor Plan Puts Little Rock on the Urban Design Map
Lindsey Millar reports on a proposed Creative Corridor plan for Little Rock, calling it “vivid and grandiose, full of all the sorts of things New Urbanists salivate over - a pedestrian promenade, rain gardens, street furniture, [and] LED lighting.." Marlon Blackwell, architect and department head of the Fay Jones School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas, and Steve Luoni, director of the University of Arkansas Community Design Center, recently unveiled their ambitious plans for a new cultural corridor along Little Rock's Main Street. Read more.
12/15/2012 - Apps for Hailing Cabs Cause Controversy in NYC
NYC's Taxi and Limousine Commission approved a pilot program for apps that will allow users to request a yellow taxi ride on their smartphones rather than having to “raise [their] arms toward oncoming traffic” the old-fashioned way. Skittish about considering the permanent usage of increasingly popular cab-hailing apps like Hailo, Uber, and GetTaxi, the commission only considering a pilot program for a trial period, and voted to limit such use to a certain geographic reach. Read more.
12/15/2012 - Even 'Starchitects' Need a Good Pitch to Win
'Starchitects' compete for prime real estate in New York City, and selling their stuff isn’t as easy as one might think. See four famous architects in action as they pitch designs for a new office tower on Park Avenue. “You've seen them posing in magazines, performing in lecture theatres and maybe even shouting across the office. But it is unlikely you've ever sat behind a boardroom table and given Richard Rogers, Zaha Hadid, Rem Koolhaas or Norman Foster a grilling,” writes Oliver Wainwright. Read more.
12/14/2012 - America's Top Transportation Follies and Triumphs
Based on five criteria, the Sierra Club has evaluated “the 50 best and worst transportation projects” in the nation, shining light on apparent fiascoes in the making, as well as progressive achievements. The criteria for the projects chosen for the Sierra Club's report “Smart Choices, Less Traffic" includes effects on oil use, land use, the economy, public health and the environment. State DOTs are responsible for many of the worst projects, says Angie Schmitt, whereas good examples often stem from local government initiatives and transit agencies. Read more.
12/13/2012 - Small Cities' Surprising Population Growth
Small and large cities throughout the United States are outgrowing their suburban counterparts for the first time in years. An even bigger surprise: small cities seem to be outpacing suburbs and large metros alike according to new analysis. “When people talk about how cities are making a comeback, they often have this image of the big metropolises,” says Geoffrey Anderson, President and CEO of Smart Growth America, adding, “They might think it’s only happening in places like Washington D.C. But that’s just not true. It’s happening everywhere.” Read more.
12/12/2012 - Raleigh Paves the Way for Walkability
Raleigh, North Carolina didn't take getting placed sixth most dangerous metro area in the country lightly back in 2009, and recently drafted a Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan in response. “In 2009, the think tank Transportation for America released a report called "Dangerous by Design" [PDF], ranking the least pedestrian-friendly metro areas in the country” reports Eric Jaffe, adding, “Raleigh, North Carolina, placed sixth—as in sixth most dangerous.” According to Fleming El-Amin, one of the city's transportation planners, “That was a bit of an eye opener." Read more.
12/10/2012 - Top Ten Books - 2013 By: ABIJEET CHAVAN, CHRIS STEINS, JONATHAN NETTLER, ERICA GUTIÉRREZ & JESSICA HSU, Planetizen is pleased to release its eleventh annual list of the ten best books in urban planning, design and development published in 2012. This year's list covers a range of urgent topics, from the technical to the technological, from the city to the country, from the personal to the professional; all oriented towards a variety of audiences from "Dummies" to "Straphangers." Read more.
12/09/2012 - Re-Connecting Housing and Health for a Better Future
Elizabeth Burton reminds us of the close connection between housing and health, and proposes better ways to gauge how housing may affect the health and well-being of residents. Until the early 1900s, asserts Burton, the relationship between housing and health was seen as inextricably linked. Over time, health moved into the domain of healthcare provision, architecture became more closely aligned with art, and town planning with economic and environmental concerns. Read more.
12/09/2012 - China's Cities Hold the Key to the World's Future
In a globalized world, China's economic, environmental and urban development has implications for us all, posits Henry M. Paulson Jr. The problems the country faces, and any potential solutions, revolve around its approach to urbanization. According to Paulson, the two pillars of growth that have driven China's economic emergence and global prosperity - investment and exports - are "delivering diminishing returns". Read more.
12/07/2012 - Invest in Public Transit to Slow Climate Change
Reflecting on the significance and impact of Superstorm Sandy, Bill McKibben and Lawrence J. Hanley propose a 3-step process focused on mass transit that America should pursue to promote community development, public health and the environment. For McKibben and Hanley, Hurricane Sandy has made it clear that politicians can no longer push climate change under the rug. to Read more.
12/06/2012 - Sand Dunes Prove Their Worth Along the NY Shore
Surfers, local businesses and residents alike rallied against kicking in $7 million for an Army Corps of Engineers plan to elevate beaches and erect sand dunes in Long Beach, NY six years ago. Post-Hurricane Sandy, most regret this choice.The broader $98 million plan spared neighboring coastal communities such as Point Lookout, Lido Beach and Atlantic Beach millions in damages from Sandy, whereas “Long Beach suffered at least $200 million in property and infrastructure losses, according to preliminary estimates,” reports Mireya Navarro. Read more.
12/06/2012 - Re-imagining the Fiscal Architecture of Our Cities
For Michael A. Pagano, local municipalities went awry in designing fiscal systems during the 20th century by fabricating what he refers to as “a crazy quilt of local revenue.” He proposes some possibilities for getting cities back on track.From Boston to Cincinnati to Tulsa, cities depend to largely varying degrees on property taxes, income taxes, and sales taxes as a source of revenue. Historically, however, Pagano points out, “[i]t wasn't always like this." Read more.
12/05/2012 - Millennials: They Came, They Saw... They Stayed?
According to Haya El Nasser, cities across America have succeeded in attracting young professionals for over a decade. “They came, they played, they stayed,” she writes. But, she asks, will these Millennials stick around as they age and have kids? Richard Florida and Bill Fulton agree, Millennials not only move often, but they are also “the generation that decides where it's going to live before it decides what it's going to do.” Read more.
12/02/2012 - London Looks to Get Its Cycling Revolution Back Into Gear
According to Chris Peck, “Better cycling infrastructure, an enforced road traffic law and a reduction in the space available to motor traffic are all required to get cycling growing again in London.” "The mayor of London's 'cycling Revolution', launched in 2010, was revolutionary in name only,” writes Chris Peck, policy coordinator of the UK's national cyclists' organization, the Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC). A bit of a mixed bag, London's citywide cycling campaign has seen its share of successes and failures. Read more.
12/02/2012 - Why NYC's Most Exciting Architecture Can be Found Hanging on Walls
Planning a trip to NYC over the holidays? In a recent editorial, William Menking argues that “for visitors to New York, the place to look for the most exciting architectural ideas is not the city streets, but the walls of galleries and museums.” NYC has not been bereft of exciting architecture over the past decade -- from “phase two of the High Line or the careful design incisions into the Lincoln Center public spaces” to "the new Weiss Manfredi Visitors Center at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the newly uncovered DS+R bridge across 65th street at Lincoln Center, and of course SHoP Architect's Barclay's Center," highlights Menking. Read more.
12/01/2012 - A High Line for the Upper East Side?
Matt Chaban reports on the making of “the Upper East Side’s very own High Line." Current proposals seek not only to "re-pedestrianize" Park Avenue, but also to restore some of its turn of the century glory. [A] clever group of planners and activists would like to transform [Park Avenue] into a world-class gathering place rather than a mere thoroughfare” writes Matt Chaban, highlighting two proposals unveiled at the Municipal Art Society’s third annual MAS Summit that were inspired by an old and “somewhat well-known black-and-white photograph of gentlemen and ladies in repose in the very middle of [it]”. Read more.
11/30/2012 - High Density Means More Economic Growth and More Happiness, Too
Using new analysis of recent US Census data, Richard Florida demonstrates that “[c]ities and regions where density is more concentrated near their urban cores — appear to gain the biggest economic advantage.” That, and a tad more happiness. You likely won't be surprised to read Richard [A] clever group of planners and activists would like to transform [Park Avenue] into a world-class gathering place rather than a mere thoroughfare” writes Matt Chaban, highlighting two proposals unveiled at the Municipal Art Society’s third annual MAS Summit that were inspired by an old and “somewhat well-known black-and-white photograph of gentlemen and ladies in repose in the very middle of [it]”. Read more.
11/28/2012 - Teaching Architects to Succeed While Serving the Public Interest
The Public Interest Design Institute encourages architects to embrace participatory approaches in design that address complex social needs; demonstrating that it's possible to "make a career as an architect serving those who need the most help. "For Bryan Bell, founder of the Public Interest Design Institute, a two-day training course offered at universities across the U.S. and initially funded by AIA, architects are facing a more fundamental problem than the economic crisis. Read more.
11/24/2012 - The Boulevard Makes its Comeback Along Toronto’s Waterfront
“Despite long ago having fallen from favour among North American city planners and traffic engineers, the multi-lane, multi-use, tree-lined avenue will soon return to our fair burg.” writes Christopher Hume. Thanks to Waterfront Toronto, the tripartite agency responsible for the transformation of Queens Quay, “[w]hat’s now a messy and dysfunctional downtown thoroughfare will become an elegant street shared equally by cars, public transit, pedestrians, cyclists — and trees,” reports Hume. The project has been in the pipeline for years, but is finally breaking ground and will be under-construction for at least two years. Read more.
11/23/2012 - Pittsburgh Asks Cyclists, Drivers and Pedestrians to Play Nice Together
Looking at public commentary following a spate of recent bicyclist accidents and incidents, Annie Siebert considers some of issues that Pittsburghers face as drivers, cyclists and pedestrians sharing the road. The death and injury of several cyclists in Pittsburgh over the past several months have spurred an outpouring of commentary from citizens on websites, in editorial sections of newspapers and in social media. Read more.
11/22/2012 - Miami's Real Estate Heats Up, Could a Thunderstorm Be Far Off?
Despite all odds, “Miami’s roller coaster real estate market is booming again” reports Nadja Brandt. Is "the hottest [residential] real estate market in the U.S." primed to boil over? “Everybody thought Miami was finished, and now it has become again one of the top locations for developers for multi-family rentals,” said Robert Kaplan, principal at Ackman-Ziff Real Estate. Read more.
11/21/2012 - Selling the Importance of Street Vending
In the most recent installment of a series on informal urban livelihoods, Sally Roever provides insight into how planners can better understand, acknowledge and manage street vending through the development of appropriate policies and best practices. "Street vending has persisted for centuries all over the world, despite a multitude of efforts to curtail it," writes Roever. Read more.
11/21/2012 - With a Little Help From Their Dutch Friends, Could New York Become New Amsterdam?
“In recent days, the Netherlands’ peerless expertise and centuries of experience in battling water have been widely hailed in the United States as offering lessons" for New York and for other cities alike, writes Andrew Higgins. So, what is it that makes the Dutch way of preventing floods so compelling as a model? The operative word here is preventive, but it is also based on years of experience. Read more.
11/17/2012 - Higher Home Values Preserved in Medium-Density, Mixed-Income Suburbs
A new study of the Philadelphia area commissioned by the Congress for New Urbanism “finds new urban characteristics play a role” in how households and neighborhoods weathered the recent economic downtown. An analysis of home sales in 340 zip codes in the Philadelphia region showed that neighborhoods with "exclusively low-density dwellings", as well as those "lacking income diversity" fared poorly in the latest recession from 2007 - 2012, reports Robert Steuteville. Read more.
t
11/15/2012 - Low Cost Strategies for Reducing Urban Poverty
Eric Jaffe reports, “[a] recent field test in Mexico offers the first experimental evidence that basic infrastructure upgrade — in this case paving streets — have a measurable effect on reducing urban poverty.” A street paving pilot project carried out in Acayucan, Mexico, shows a promising, and relatively low cost path for improving life in the developing world. Read more.
11/14/2012 - California's Bullet-Train Will Require Extraordinary Engineering Feats
Given its unprecedented “scale and scope”, California's bullet train poses a plethora of complex challenges to engineers and train planners, reports Ralph Vartabedian, yet it also seizes their imaginations. A modern attempt is now underway to echo the bold effort that connected the Bay Area and Southern California by rail in 1874. Read more.
11/10/2012 - Should New York Build Sea Barriers?
As NYC struggles to cope with the damage from Superstorm Sandy, officials and experts are revisiting the possibility of building, at great cost, a protective barrier around its coast. In the midst of the recent storm, a two-mile-long barrier system built in 1969 at the cost of $14.5 million, kept Stamford, CT protected from an estimated $25 million in damage to businesses and homes, reports Mireya Navarro. Stamford's mayor, Michael A. Read more.
11/09/2012 - How Traffic Data At Your Fingertips Can Create Smarter Cities
What do recent national politics have to do with transportation planning? For Sara Goodyear, the connection is clear: it's about having access to good data for solving real-world problems. TrafficCOM is a new, comparatively affordable and easy-to-use gizmo that allows users to collect traffic data and share it immediately. Read more.
11/08/2012 - A Consideration of Spain's Unfinished Urbanization
"The City That Never Was" is the title of an upcoming symposium, and series of essays, organized by the Architectural League of NY to explore two decades of growth and decline in Spain through the prism of unrealized architectural ambitions. [This] series of articles and photographs published in conjunction with an upcoming Architectural League symposium by the same name, offer[s] a critical look at Spain and its unfinished urban landscape. Read more.
11/08/2012 - The iShack: Quick, But Sustainable, Fix for South Africa's Housing Crisis
In a project initiated by the Sustainability Institute, and backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, development experts are taking innovative steps to address South Africa’s housing shortage. As South Africa experiences some of the highest rates of urbanization in the world, housing demand is far outstripping supply, and the government's housing backlog continues to worsen. One enterprising solution? Read more.
11/07/2012 - What Happens When You Build It, But They Never Come?
Forty-five miles southwest of the Twin Cities sits the exurb of New Prague, a town with state-of-the-art infrastructure but crushing debt. It’s an example of what happens when the “Ponzi scheme” underlying sprawl development comes crumbling down. Planned at the height of the "exurban boom", New Prague is now feeling the consequences of borrowing $30 million to build a state-of-the-art sewer plant for residents that never came. Read more.
11/07/2012 - Is Driving Still an American 'Rite of Passage'?
Economist Joe Cortright doesn't seem to think so. According to his findings, Americans are driving less, with Millennials leading the way, and this unprecedented trend is here to stay. Though Americans have been driving less since 2005, predating the Great Recession, “the question of whether the decline in driving marked a sea change in the way we get around or simply reflected a drop in economic activity has been a matter of considerable debate,” reports Stephen Miller. Read more.
11/04/2012 - At Least One Group Welcomes Sandy's Healing Power
The construction industry is licking its chops as plans for Sandy’s recovery take shape. After years of idleness due to the housing bust, builders and contractors find themselves ready to roll up their sleeves, and in need of a new workforce. “I always look forward to a natural disaster,” said Doug Palmieri, owner of Palmieri Construction in Middlefield, Conn. “The last two storms we had around here, the snow we had included, helped out the contracting business quite a bit.” Read more.
11/03/2012 - Hetch Hetchy Valley Haunts, and Nourishes, San Francisco
Voters in S.F. will be given an opportunity to right a perceived 100 year old environmental wrong next week when they cast ballots on whether to develop a multi-billion dollar plan to drain Hetch Hetchy Valley, the city’s pristine water source. "San Francisco prides itself on its environmental record,” writes Bettina Boxall, but it does have one large skeleton in its closet dating back to the 1913 passage of the Raker Act, which allowed the city to turn picturesque Hetch Hetchy Valley into a 300-foot-deep reservoir. Read more.
11/03/2012 - If You Build It, They Will Come, Says Harrison NJ Mayor
After 15 years, his vision to transform this long-forsaken industrial town into a bedroom community for single, young professionals is finally taking shape,” writes Ronda Kaysen. Hopes for redevelopment center on the town’s commuter rail station. Despite facing numerous redevelopment obstacles over the last 15 years, including delays due to September 11th, the economic crisis, and a million dollar tax dispute, developers and Harrison mayor Raymond McDonough remain steadfastly hopeful that the town will be the next best alternative for New York City commuters priced out of more traditional and trendier housing markets nearby. Read more.
11/02/2012 - Critics Outline Grey Areas in L.A.'s "Green" Harbor Rail Yard Project
Critics of the proposed $500-million Southern California International Gateway, which is being touted as “one of the 'greenest' freight yards in the nation," contend it will actually reduce air quality and harm low income, minority residents. Support for the Southern California International Gateway comes from various stakeholders such as labor unions, businesses, politicians and regional planning agencies, who believe the project will serve as an economic catalyst. Read more.
11/02/2012 - Good Karma? Can Good Design Lead to Good Deeds in Auto Obsessed L.A.?
For 10 years now, Michael Lejeune, Creative Director for the Metropolitan Transit Authority (M.T.A.), has made taking transit in L.A. seem a lot cooler. These re-branding efforts have contributed to a 38 percent increase in ridership since 2005. Given Los Angeles' deeply rooted car culture, public transit in L.A. has always been somewhat of a red-headed stepchild -- that is, until Michael Lejeune stepped in. Read more.
10/31/2012 - A Tale of Two Americas
Richard Florida warns about America's increasing “economic Balkanization”: a shrinking working class and the attendant swelling of low-wage service sector employees and the unemployed on the one hand, and the prosperous creative class on the other. “Income and wealth inequality have risen to record levels in the United States.” writes Richard Florida. “Even as cities have become the new social and economic organizing units of our increasingly spiky world [PDF], their inequalities are approaching levels found in Third World nations.” Read more.
10/29/2012 - For Conservation Matters, the Tables Slowly Turn in the Global North-South Divide
Announced at a recent United Nations summit on biodiversity, India’s pledge of $50 million to assist developing countries with conservation efforts marks a significant shift in the way environmental protection is funded worldwide. It's not the amount itself that has impressed so many, but rather the symbolism behind it; this type of conservation funding has traditionally been within the purview of richer, developed counterparts, reports Vivekananda Nemana. Read more.
10/27/2012 - Mecca Builds Up At the Cost of Its Historic Heritage
A bizarre blend of religious beliefs, state policies and capitalist interests are reshaping Mecca for the worse, critics argue, at the expense of its most prized cultural assets. In Mecca, the spiritual capital of the Islamic world, a decade of unbridled demolition of historic sites, including the house of the prophet's wife, Khadijah, has been matched only by the construction of new buildings of gargantuan proportions. Read more.
10/27/2012 - As Northeast Casino Boom Continues, NY Gambles with Possibility and Risk
Large casino resorts in Atlantic City and Connecticut take a hit, as new, smaller and local casinos, attract gamblers from the surroundings areas. New York state officials are paving the way for more casino proliferation, despite some skepticism. - Gamblers who might have otherwise made the out-of-state trek to a traditional and more extravagant resort to place their bets, are choosing to stay closer to home. Read more.
10/27/2012 - Bad Habits Are Hard to Break for US Metro Commuters
Despite significant investment in transit infrastructure, and renewed interest in downtowns and walkable neighborhoods, new data shows that gains in transit commute mode share have been hard to come by in America’s largest cities, says Kaid Benfield. - “As most readers know only too well, the US pales by comparison to the rest of the world when it comes to getting around by anything other than single-occupancy cars,” writes Benfield in a recent blog post. Read more.
10/26/2012 - Parasols, Slides and Succulents for Better Cities? SF says, 'Why Not?"
What do all these seemingly unrelated elements have in common? They were just a few of the creative ideas for improving the urban environment showcased at the recent Urban Prototyping Festival held in San Francisco. “The city as it exists doesn’t have to be the city we live in. These crazy projects could reinvent the urban landscape--and make it a little more fun,” writes Ariel Schwartz. Read more.
10/25/2012 - Birmingham Brothers Create a Template for Neighborhood Revitalization
Two entrepreneurs and brothers take urban development matters into their own hands. The result? Lured by a contest offering free rent, and the associated buzz, Birmingham's South Avondale finds itself in the midst of a cultural renaissance. “'White flight', population loss, and the closing of industrial businesses that manufactured goods such as cotton and bricks” writes Matt Stroud, all contributed to the demise of South Avondale, “[o]nce a small, thriving cultural district on the border of affluent sections of [Birmingham's] Southside. Read more.
10/25/2012 - Giving the Informal Economy a Voice in Planning Processes
In the first of a new series of articles tackling urban livelihoods, Caroline Skinner explains why the informal workforce matters, and offers six strategies for developing more inclusive urban planning processes. Despite the myriad contributions informal workers make to the economies of urban areas in developing countries, the norm is to exclude this sector from effective participation in policy-making and planning, asserts Skinner. Read more.
10/24/2012 - Toronto's Skyline Has High Ambitions Despite Housing Bubble Concerns
By a ratio of two-to-one, Toronto is far outpacing NYC in terms of high-rises and skyscrapers currently under construction. As other Canadian cities follow suit, Jim Flaherty, Canada's Finance Minister, is taking measures to cool the market. According to a new study by German data-provider, Emporis, Toronto leads the way in North American construction markets, far outpacing New York City in new tower construction. Read more.
10/22/2012 - Miami: A Billionaire's Playground, But Middle-Class Unfriendly
Russian oligarchs and Brazilian expats may be its most prominent residents, but Miami does have a middle-class. But a new study shows they aren't exactly thriving. In fact, Miami is the toughest city in the nation to be a middle-class resident. - Although a new study [PDF] from the Center for Housing Policy and the Center for Neighborhood Technology paints a prettier picture of housing affordability in some of America’s most notoriously expensive cities, it’s results are likely to nauseate Miami’s policy makers. Read more.
10/21/2012 - How Historic Preservation Turned Denver's Skid Row into a Success Story
"Close to twenty five years after Denver debated the future of its historic, but blighted, Lower Downtown district, the city is reaping the benefits of its decision to preserve the “region’s largest collection of urban historic buildings.” - The economic prowess of Denver's historic LoDo core proves the prescience of the visionaries who fought to preserve it from demolition in the 1980's. Edward T. McMahon asserts, “had Denver gone the other way and allowed Lower Downtown to disappear, it would be poorer both in dollars and in spirit.” Read more.
10/19/2012 - Housing Crunch Threatens D.C.’s Thriving Economy
In the next 20 years, the D.C. area is expected to have nearly 3 million job openings. With the resulting demand for new, diverse and more affordable housing outpacing supply, some fear that the city’s housing deficit will derail its robust economy. - In their second entry in a 5-part series on workforce housing in the Washington D.C. area, authors Lisa Sturtevant and Agnes Artemel contend that “housing the workforce” will be imperative to guaranteeing Washington's future economic success. Read more.
10/19/2012 - Economic Matters Aside, Not All is Peachy in China
A recent Pew survey of Chinese residents points to increasing anxiety among participants with the country’s problems. Despite continued economic growth, at an average of 9% per year over the past four years, the Chinese are growing dissatisfied. - One might think that with such impressive economic growth and increasing financial wherewithal, the Chinese would be quite content. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project published earlier this year, 57% of Chinese polled “believed it would be easy for young people to become wealthier than their parents.” Read more.
10/19/2012 - 40 Years Later: The Way Forward for the Nation's Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act turns 40 this week. For Mark Gold, this calls for a celebratory overview of the many environmental successes it has produced, as well as careful consideration of the steps needed for it to be effective in years to come. - The Clean Water Act “sets wastewater standards and regulates the discharge of pollutants into the nation's oceans, rivers and lakes”, says Mark Gold, former president of Heal the Bay and associate director of UCLA's Institute of The Environment and Sustainability, in a recent editorial piece published in the Los Angeles Times. Read more.
10/18/2012 - Did Banks Engage in Reverse-Redlining While Inflating the Housing Bubble?
A lawsuit filed this week against Morgan Stanley claims that the predatory lending practices that grew the housing bubble violated federal civil rights laws, an ironic echo of a time when housing policies prevented blacks from obtaining mortgages. - This Monday in New York, the ACLU and the National Consumer Law Center filed a 70-page lawsuit against Morgan Stanley, for its role in pushing other banks to issue large volumes of high-risk loans during the housing crisis. Read more.
10/18/2012 - Vertical Farming: A Viable Option for Future Food Production?
Is the idea of "farming up" really taking off? Vertical farming could yield long-term environmental benefits, but still faces many obstacles. - “Want to see where your food might come from in the future?”, Owen Fletcher asks, “Look up.” The potential environmental benefits of vertical farming are extensive, claim industry advocates, who believe it can help solve some of the world’s most pressing environmental issues, such as contributing to slowing climate change and land reclamation. Read more.
10/17/2012 - Norwegian Architects Honored for Defying Architectural Norms
Young architectural firm, TYIN Tegnestue, proves that good design can be affordable, and that architecture can be used to help solve some of the world's existing social ills, rather than exacerbating them, writes Kelsey Campbell-Dollaghan. - Each year, the European Prize for Architecture rewards architectural firms concerned less with producing spectacles, and more interested in finding solutions to social problems. Read more.
China is moving mountains again, but this time it isn't a legendary peasant doing the moving, but instead, Yan Jiehe, former teacher, big time developer and one of China's richest men, who is behind it all. “In what is being billed as the largest 'mountain-moving project' in Chinese history, one of China's biggest construction firms will spend £2.2bn to flatten 700 mountains levelling the area Lanzhou, allowing developers to build a new metropolis on the outskirts of the north-western city,” reports Jonathan Kaiman. Read more.
12/23/2012 - 'Star Apartments' Beget New Universe of Homeless Housing
In Los Angeles, the Skid Row Housing Trust is breaking past precedent by building modular, but vibrant, housing aimed at emulating city-life; giving residents a sense of community, and a new lease on life. In the past, the Skid Row Housing Trust has opted to renovate abandoned buildings to convert them into well-designed, and discrete homeless shelters. This time, the Trust is varying its approach, building from scratch and taking the pre-fab route -- and it's doing so on time and on budget. Read more.
12/19/2012 - Why are Americans Preferring to Stay Put?
Americans are less mobile than they were decades ago and it's unclear why. Possible explanations include the recession, habits based on family make-up, as well as telecommuting and job trends, but none of these proposed reasons can be easily proven. According to recently released U.S. Census data [PDF] from the Current Population Survey, American mobility rates are at an all time low. “About 100 million people (aged 5 and up) lived in a different home or apartment in 2010 than they did in 2005” reports Eric Jaffe, “[b]ut that total is down from 107 million movers between 2000 and 2005, and the latest mobility rate is 10 points off the peak rate back in the mid-1970s.” Read more.
12/16/2012 - Creative Corridor Plan Puts Little Rock on the Urban Design Map
Lindsey Millar reports on a proposed Creative Corridor plan for Little Rock, calling it “vivid and grandiose, full of all the sorts of things New Urbanists salivate over - a pedestrian promenade, rain gardens, street furniture, [and] LED lighting.." Marlon Blackwell, architect and department head of the Fay Jones School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas, and Steve Luoni, director of the University of Arkansas Community Design Center, recently unveiled their ambitious plans for a new cultural corridor along Little Rock's Main Street. Read more.
12/15/2012 - Apps for Hailing Cabs Cause Controversy in NYC
NYC's Taxi and Limousine Commission approved a pilot program for apps that will allow users to request a yellow taxi ride on their smartphones rather than having to “raise [their] arms toward oncoming traffic” the old-fashioned way. Skittish about considering the permanent usage of increasingly popular cab-hailing apps like Hailo, Uber, and GetTaxi, the commission only considering a pilot program for a trial period, and voted to limit such use to a certain geographic reach. Read more.
12/15/2012 - Even 'Starchitects' Need a Good Pitch to Win
'Starchitects' compete for prime real estate in New York City, and selling their stuff isn’t as easy as one might think. See four famous architects in action as they pitch designs for a new office tower on Park Avenue. “You've seen them posing in magazines, performing in lecture theatres and maybe even shouting across the office. But it is unlikely you've ever sat behind a boardroom table and given Richard Rogers, Zaha Hadid, Rem Koolhaas or Norman Foster a grilling,” writes Oliver Wainwright. Read more.
12/14/2012 - America's Top Transportation Follies and Triumphs
Based on five criteria, the Sierra Club has evaluated “the 50 best and worst transportation projects” in the nation, shining light on apparent fiascoes in the making, as well as progressive achievements. The criteria for the projects chosen for the Sierra Club's report “Smart Choices, Less Traffic" includes effects on oil use, land use, the economy, public health and the environment. State DOTs are responsible for many of the worst projects, says Angie Schmitt, whereas good examples often stem from local government initiatives and transit agencies. Read more.
12/13/2012 - Small Cities' Surprising Population Growth
Small and large cities throughout the United States are outgrowing their suburban counterparts for the first time in years. An even bigger surprise: small cities seem to be outpacing suburbs and large metros alike according to new analysis. “When people talk about how cities are making a comeback, they often have this image of the big metropolises,” says Geoffrey Anderson, President and CEO of Smart Growth America, adding, “They might think it’s only happening in places like Washington D.C. But that’s just not true. It’s happening everywhere.” Read more.
12/12/2012 - Raleigh Paves the Way for Walkability
Raleigh, North Carolina didn't take getting placed sixth most dangerous metro area in the country lightly back in 2009, and recently drafted a Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan in response. “In 2009, the think tank Transportation for America released a report called "Dangerous by Design" [PDF], ranking the least pedestrian-friendly metro areas in the country” reports Eric Jaffe, adding, “Raleigh, North Carolina, placed sixth—as in sixth most dangerous.” According to Fleming El-Amin, one of the city's transportation planners, “That was a bit of an eye opener." Read more.
12/10/2012 - Top Ten Books - 2013 By: ABIJEET CHAVAN, CHRIS STEINS, JONATHAN NETTLER, ERICA GUTIÉRREZ & JESSICA HSU, Planetizen is pleased to release its eleventh annual list of the ten best books in urban planning, design and development published in 2012. This year's list covers a range of urgent topics, from the technical to the technological, from the city to the country, from the personal to the professional; all oriented towards a variety of audiences from "Dummies" to "Straphangers." Read more.
12/09/2012 - Re-Connecting Housing and Health for a Better Future
Elizabeth Burton reminds us of the close connection between housing and health, and proposes better ways to gauge how housing may affect the health and well-being of residents. Until the early 1900s, asserts Burton, the relationship between housing and health was seen as inextricably linked. Over time, health moved into the domain of healthcare provision, architecture became more closely aligned with art, and town planning with economic and environmental concerns. Read more.
12/09/2012 - China's Cities Hold the Key to the World's Future
In a globalized world, China's economic, environmental and urban development has implications for us all, posits Henry M. Paulson Jr. The problems the country faces, and any potential solutions, revolve around its approach to urbanization. According to Paulson, the two pillars of growth that have driven China's economic emergence and global prosperity - investment and exports - are "delivering diminishing returns". Read more.
12/07/2012 - Invest in Public Transit to Slow Climate Change
Reflecting on the significance and impact of Superstorm Sandy, Bill McKibben and Lawrence J. Hanley propose a 3-step process focused on mass transit that America should pursue to promote community development, public health and the environment. For McKibben and Hanley, Hurricane Sandy has made it clear that politicians can no longer push climate change under the rug. to Read more.
12/06/2012 - Sand Dunes Prove Their Worth Along the NY Shore
Surfers, local businesses and residents alike rallied against kicking in $7 million for an Army Corps of Engineers plan to elevate beaches and erect sand dunes in Long Beach, NY six years ago. Post-Hurricane Sandy, most regret this choice.The broader $98 million plan spared neighboring coastal communities such as Point Lookout, Lido Beach and Atlantic Beach millions in damages from Sandy, whereas “Long Beach suffered at least $200 million in property and infrastructure losses, according to preliminary estimates,” reports Mireya Navarro. Read more.
12/06/2012 - Re-imagining the Fiscal Architecture of Our Cities
For Michael A. Pagano, local municipalities went awry in designing fiscal systems during the 20th century by fabricating what he refers to as “a crazy quilt of local revenue.” He proposes some possibilities for getting cities back on track.From Boston to Cincinnati to Tulsa, cities depend to largely varying degrees on property taxes, income taxes, and sales taxes as a source of revenue. Historically, however, Pagano points out, “[i]t wasn't always like this." Read more.
12/05/2012 - Millennials: They Came, They Saw... They Stayed?
According to Haya El Nasser, cities across America have succeeded in attracting young professionals for over a decade. “They came, they played, they stayed,” she writes. But, she asks, will these Millennials stick around as they age and have kids? Richard Florida and Bill Fulton agree, Millennials not only move often, but they are also “the generation that decides where it's going to live before it decides what it's going to do.” Read more.
12/02/2012 - London Looks to Get Its Cycling Revolution Back Into Gear
According to Chris Peck, “Better cycling infrastructure, an enforced road traffic law and a reduction in the space available to motor traffic are all required to get cycling growing again in London.” "The mayor of London's 'cycling Revolution', launched in 2010, was revolutionary in name only,” writes Chris Peck, policy coordinator of the UK's national cyclists' organization, the Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC). A bit of a mixed bag, London's citywide cycling campaign has seen its share of successes and failures. Read more.
12/02/2012 - Why NYC's Most Exciting Architecture Can be Found Hanging on Walls
Planning a trip to NYC over the holidays? In a recent editorial, William Menking argues that “for visitors to New York, the place to look for the most exciting architectural ideas is not the city streets, but the walls of galleries and museums.” NYC has not been bereft of exciting architecture over the past decade -- from “phase two of the High Line or the careful design incisions into the Lincoln Center public spaces” to "the new Weiss Manfredi Visitors Center at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the newly uncovered DS+R bridge across 65th street at Lincoln Center, and of course SHoP Architect's Barclay's Center," highlights Menking. Read more.
12/01/2012 - A High Line for the Upper East Side?
Matt Chaban reports on the making of “the Upper East Side’s very own High Line." Current proposals seek not only to "re-pedestrianize" Park Avenue, but also to restore some of its turn of the century glory. [A] clever group of planners and activists would like to transform [Park Avenue] into a world-class gathering place rather than a mere thoroughfare” writes Matt Chaban, highlighting two proposals unveiled at the Municipal Art Society’s third annual MAS Summit that were inspired by an old and “somewhat well-known black-and-white photograph of gentlemen and ladies in repose in the very middle of [it]”. Read more.
11/30/2012 - High Density Means More Economic Growth and More Happiness, Too
Using new analysis of recent US Census data, Richard Florida demonstrates that “[c]ities and regions where density is more concentrated near their urban cores — appear to gain the biggest economic advantage.” That, and a tad more happiness. You likely won't be surprised to read Richard [A] clever group of planners and activists would like to transform [Park Avenue] into a world-class gathering place rather than a mere thoroughfare” writes Matt Chaban, highlighting two proposals unveiled at the Municipal Art Society’s third annual MAS Summit that were inspired by an old and “somewhat well-known black-and-white photograph of gentlemen and ladies in repose in the very middle of [it]”. Read more.
11/28/2012 - Teaching Architects to Succeed While Serving the Public Interest
The Public Interest Design Institute encourages architects to embrace participatory approaches in design that address complex social needs; demonstrating that it's possible to "make a career as an architect serving those who need the most help. "For Bryan Bell, founder of the Public Interest Design Institute, a two-day training course offered at universities across the U.S. and initially funded by AIA, architects are facing a more fundamental problem than the economic crisis. Read more.
11/24/2012 - The Boulevard Makes its Comeback Along Toronto’s Waterfront
“Despite long ago having fallen from favour among North American city planners and traffic engineers, the multi-lane, multi-use, tree-lined avenue will soon return to our fair burg.” writes Christopher Hume. Thanks to Waterfront Toronto, the tripartite agency responsible for the transformation of Queens Quay, “[w]hat’s now a messy and dysfunctional downtown thoroughfare will become an elegant street shared equally by cars, public transit, pedestrians, cyclists — and trees,” reports Hume. The project has been in the pipeline for years, but is finally breaking ground and will be under-construction for at least two years. Read more.
11/23/2012 - Pittsburgh Asks Cyclists, Drivers and Pedestrians to Play Nice Together
Looking at public commentary following a spate of recent bicyclist accidents and incidents, Annie Siebert considers some of issues that Pittsburghers face as drivers, cyclists and pedestrians sharing the road. The death and injury of several cyclists in Pittsburgh over the past several months have spurred an outpouring of commentary from citizens on websites, in editorial sections of newspapers and in social media. Read more.
11/22/2012 - Miami's Real Estate Heats Up, Could a Thunderstorm Be Far Off?
Despite all odds, “Miami’s roller coaster real estate market is booming again” reports Nadja Brandt. Is "the hottest [residential] real estate market in the U.S." primed to boil over? “Everybody thought Miami was finished, and now it has become again one of the top locations for developers for multi-family rentals,” said Robert Kaplan, principal at Ackman-Ziff Real Estate. Read more.
11/21/2012 - Selling the Importance of Street Vending
In the most recent installment of a series on informal urban livelihoods, Sally Roever provides insight into how planners can better understand, acknowledge and manage street vending through the development of appropriate policies and best practices. "Street vending has persisted for centuries all over the world, despite a multitude of efforts to curtail it," writes Roever. Read more.
11/21/2012 - With a Little Help From Their Dutch Friends, Could New York Become New Amsterdam?
“In recent days, the Netherlands’ peerless expertise and centuries of experience in battling water have been widely hailed in the United States as offering lessons" for New York and for other cities alike, writes Andrew Higgins. So, what is it that makes the Dutch way of preventing floods so compelling as a model? The operative word here is preventive, but it is also based on years of experience. Read more.
11/17/2012 - Higher Home Values Preserved in Medium-Density, Mixed-Income Suburbs
A new study of the Philadelphia area commissioned by the Congress for New Urbanism “finds new urban characteristics play a role” in how households and neighborhoods weathered the recent economic downtown. An analysis of home sales in 340 zip codes in the Philadelphia region showed that neighborhoods with "exclusively low-density dwellings", as well as those "lacking income diversity" fared poorly in the latest recession from 2007 - 2012, reports Robert Steuteville. Read more.
t
11/15/2012 - Low Cost Strategies for Reducing Urban Poverty
Eric Jaffe reports, “[a] recent field test in Mexico offers the first experimental evidence that basic infrastructure upgrade — in this case paving streets — have a measurable effect on reducing urban poverty.” A street paving pilot project carried out in Acayucan, Mexico, shows a promising, and relatively low cost path for improving life in the developing world. Read more.
11/14/2012 - California's Bullet-Train Will Require Extraordinary Engineering Feats
Given its unprecedented “scale and scope”, California's bullet train poses a plethora of complex challenges to engineers and train planners, reports Ralph Vartabedian, yet it also seizes their imaginations. A modern attempt is now underway to echo the bold effort that connected the Bay Area and Southern California by rail in 1874. Read more.
11/10/2012 - Should New York Build Sea Barriers?
As NYC struggles to cope with the damage from Superstorm Sandy, officials and experts are revisiting the possibility of building, at great cost, a protective barrier around its coast. In the midst of the recent storm, a two-mile-long barrier system built in 1969 at the cost of $14.5 million, kept Stamford, CT protected from an estimated $25 million in damage to businesses and homes, reports Mireya Navarro. Stamford's mayor, Michael A. Read more.
11/09/2012 - How Traffic Data At Your Fingertips Can Create Smarter Cities
What do recent national politics have to do with transportation planning? For Sara Goodyear, the connection is clear: it's about having access to good data for solving real-world problems. TrafficCOM is a new, comparatively affordable and easy-to-use gizmo that allows users to collect traffic data and share it immediately. Read more.
11/08/2012 - A Consideration of Spain's Unfinished Urbanization
"The City That Never Was" is the title of an upcoming symposium, and series of essays, organized by the Architectural League of NY to explore two decades of growth and decline in Spain through the prism of unrealized architectural ambitions. [This] series of articles and photographs published in conjunction with an upcoming Architectural League symposium by the same name, offer[s] a critical look at Spain and its unfinished urban landscape. Read more.
11/08/2012 - The iShack: Quick, But Sustainable, Fix for South Africa's Housing Crisis
In a project initiated by the Sustainability Institute, and backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, development experts are taking innovative steps to address South Africa’s housing shortage. As South Africa experiences some of the highest rates of urbanization in the world, housing demand is far outstripping supply, and the government's housing backlog continues to worsen. One enterprising solution? Read more.
11/07/2012 - What Happens When You Build It, But They Never Come?
Forty-five miles southwest of the Twin Cities sits the exurb of New Prague, a town with state-of-the-art infrastructure but crushing debt. It’s an example of what happens when the “Ponzi scheme” underlying sprawl development comes crumbling down. Planned at the height of the "exurban boom", New Prague is now feeling the consequences of borrowing $30 million to build a state-of-the-art sewer plant for residents that never came. Read more.
11/07/2012 - Is Driving Still an American 'Rite of Passage'?
Economist Joe Cortright doesn't seem to think so. According to his findings, Americans are driving less, with Millennials leading the way, and this unprecedented trend is here to stay. Though Americans have been driving less since 2005, predating the Great Recession, “the question of whether the decline in driving marked a sea change in the way we get around or simply reflected a drop in economic activity has been a matter of considerable debate,” reports Stephen Miller. Read more.
11/04/2012 - At Least One Group Welcomes Sandy's Healing Power
The construction industry is licking its chops as plans for Sandy’s recovery take shape. After years of idleness due to the housing bust, builders and contractors find themselves ready to roll up their sleeves, and in need of a new workforce. “I always look forward to a natural disaster,” said Doug Palmieri, owner of Palmieri Construction in Middlefield, Conn. “The last two storms we had around here, the snow we had included, helped out the contracting business quite a bit.” Read more.
11/03/2012 - Hetch Hetchy Valley Haunts, and Nourishes, San Francisco
Voters in S.F. will be given an opportunity to right a perceived 100 year old environmental wrong next week when they cast ballots on whether to develop a multi-billion dollar plan to drain Hetch Hetchy Valley, the city’s pristine water source. "San Francisco prides itself on its environmental record,” writes Bettina Boxall, but it does have one large skeleton in its closet dating back to the 1913 passage of the Raker Act, which allowed the city to turn picturesque Hetch Hetchy Valley into a 300-foot-deep reservoir. Read more.
11/03/2012 - If You Build It, They Will Come, Says Harrison NJ Mayor
After 15 years, his vision to transform this long-forsaken industrial town into a bedroom community for single, young professionals is finally taking shape,” writes Ronda Kaysen. Hopes for redevelopment center on the town’s commuter rail station. Despite facing numerous redevelopment obstacles over the last 15 years, including delays due to September 11th, the economic crisis, and a million dollar tax dispute, developers and Harrison mayor Raymond McDonough remain steadfastly hopeful that the town will be the next best alternative for New York City commuters priced out of more traditional and trendier housing markets nearby. Read more.
11/02/2012 - Critics Outline Grey Areas in L.A.'s "Green" Harbor Rail Yard Project
Critics of the proposed $500-million Southern California International Gateway, which is being touted as “one of the 'greenest' freight yards in the nation," contend it will actually reduce air quality and harm low income, minority residents. Support for the Southern California International Gateway comes from various stakeholders such as labor unions, businesses, politicians and regional planning agencies, who believe the project will serve as an economic catalyst. Read more.
11/02/2012 - Good Karma? Can Good Design Lead to Good Deeds in Auto Obsessed L.A.?
For 10 years now, Michael Lejeune, Creative Director for the Metropolitan Transit Authority (M.T.A.), has made taking transit in L.A. seem a lot cooler. These re-branding efforts have contributed to a 38 percent increase in ridership since 2005. Given Los Angeles' deeply rooted car culture, public transit in L.A. has always been somewhat of a red-headed stepchild -- that is, until Michael Lejeune stepped in. Read more.
10/31/2012 - A Tale of Two Americas
Richard Florida warns about America's increasing “economic Balkanization”: a shrinking working class and the attendant swelling of low-wage service sector employees and the unemployed on the one hand, and the prosperous creative class on the other. “Income and wealth inequality have risen to record levels in the United States.” writes Richard Florida. “Even as cities have become the new social and economic organizing units of our increasingly spiky world [PDF], their inequalities are approaching levels found in Third World nations.” Read more.
10/29/2012 - For Conservation Matters, the Tables Slowly Turn in the Global North-South Divide
Announced at a recent United Nations summit on biodiversity, India’s pledge of $50 million to assist developing countries with conservation efforts marks a significant shift in the way environmental protection is funded worldwide. It's not the amount itself that has impressed so many, but rather the symbolism behind it; this type of conservation funding has traditionally been within the purview of richer, developed counterparts, reports Vivekananda Nemana. Read more.
10/27/2012 - Mecca Builds Up At the Cost of Its Historic Heritage
A bizarre blend of religious beliefs, state policies and capitalist interests are reshaping Mecca for the worse, critics argue, at the expense of its most prized cultural assets. In Mecca, the spiritual capital of the Islamic world, a decade of unbridled demolition of historic sites, including the house of the prophet's wife, Khadijah, has been matched only by the construction of new buildings of gargantuan proportions. Read more.
10/27/2012 - As Northeast Casino Boom Continues, NY Gambles with Possibility and Risk
Large casino resorts in Atlantic City and Connecticut take a hit, as new, smaller and local casinos, attract gamblers from the surroundings areas. New York state officials are paving the way for more casino proliferation, despite some skepticism. - Gamblers who might have otherwise made the out-of-state trek to a traditional and more extravagant resort to place their bets, are choosing to stay closer to home. Read more.
10/27/2012 - Bad Habits Are Hard to Break for US Metro Commuters
Despite significant investment in transit infrastructure, and renewed interest in downtowns and walkable neighborhoods, new data shows that gains in transit commute mode share have been hard to come by in America’s largest cities, says Kaid Benfield. - “As most readers know only too well, the US pales by comparison to the rest of the world when it comes to getting around by anything other than single-occupancy cars,” writes Benfield in a recent blog post. Read more.
10/26/2012 - Parasols, Slides and Succulents for Better Cities? SF says, 'Why Not?"
What do all these seemingly unrelated elements have in common? They were just a few of the creative ideas for improving the urban environment showcased at the recent Urban Prototyping Festival held in San Francisco. “The city as it exists doesn’t have to be the city we live in. These crazy projects could reinvent the urban landscape--and make it a little more fun,” writes Ariel Schwartz. Read more.
10/25/2012 - Birmingham Brothers Create a Template for Neighborhood Revitalization
Two entrepreneurs and brothers take urban development matters into their own hands. The result? Lured by a contest offering free rent, and the associated buzz, Birmingham's South Avondale finds itself in the midst of a cultural renaissance. “'White flight', population loss, and the closing of industrial businesses that manufactured goods such as cotton and bricks” writes Matt Stroud, all contributed to the demise of South Avondale, “[o]nce a small, thriving cultural district on the border of affluent sections of [Birmingham's] Southside. Read more.
10/25/2012 - Giving the Informal Economy a Voice in Planning Processes
In the first of a new series of articles tackling urban livelihoods, Caroline Skinner explains why the informal workforce matters, and offers six strategies for developing more inclusive urban planning processes. Despite the myriad contributions informal workers make to the economies of urban areas in developing countries, the norm is to exclude this sector from effective participation in policy-making and planning, asserts Skinner. Read more.
10/24/2012 - Toronto's Skyline Has High Ambitions Despite Housing Bubble Concerns
By a ratio of two-to-one, Toronto is far outpacing NYC in terms of high-rises and skyscrapers currently under construction. As other Canadian cities follow suit, Jim Flaherty, Canada's Finance Minister, is taking measures to cool the market. According to a new study by German data-provider, Emporis, Toronto leads the way in North American construction markets, far outpacing New York City in new tower construction. Read more.
10/22/2012 - Miami: A Billionaire's Playground, But Middle-Class Unfriendly
Russian oligarchs and Brazilian expats may be its most prominent residents, but Miami does have a middle-class. But a new study shows they aren't exactly thriving. In fact, Miami is the toughest city in the nation to be a middle-class resident. - Although a new study [PDF] from the Center for Housing Policy and the Center for Neighborhood Technology paints a prettier picture of housing affordability in some of America’s most notoriously expensive cities, it’s results are likely to nauseate Miami’s policy makers. Read more.
10/21/2012 - How Historic Preservation Turned Denver's Skid Row into a Success Story
"Close to twenty five years after Denver debated the future of its historic, but blighted, Lower Downtown district, the city is reaping the benefits of its decision to preserve the “region’s largest collection of urban historic buildings.” - The economic prowess of Denver's historic LoDo core proves the prescience of the visionaries who fought to preserve it from demolition in the 1980's. Edward T. McMahon asserts, “had Denver gone the other way and allowed Lower Downtown to disappear, it would be poorer both in dollars and in spirit.” Read more.
10/19/2012 - Housing Crunch Threatens D.C.’s Thriving Economy
In the next 20 years, the D.C. area is expected to have nearly 3 million job openings. With the resulting demand for new, diverse and more affordable housing outpacing supply, some fear that the city’s housing deficit will derail its robust economy. - In their second entry in a 5-part series on workforce housing in the Washington D.C. area, authors Lisa Sturtevant and Agnes Artemel contend that “housing the workforce” will be imperative to guaranteeing Washington's future economic success. Read more.
10/19/2012 - Economic Matters Aside, Not All is Peachy in China
A recent Pew survey of Chinese residents points to increasing anxiety among participants with the country’s problems. Despite continued economic growth, at an average of 9% per year over the past four years, the Chinese are growing dissatisfied. - One might think that with such impressive economic growth and increasing financial wherewithal, the Chinese would be quite content. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project published earlier this year, 57% of Chinese polled “believed it would be easy for young people to become wealthier than their parents.” Read more.
10/19/2012 - 40 Years Later: The Way Forward for the Nation's Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act turns 40 this week. For Mark Gold, this calls for a celebratory overview of the many environmental successes it has produced, as well as careful consideration of the steps needed for it to be effective in years to come. - The Clean Water Act “sets wastewater standards and regulates the discharge of pollutants into the nation's oceans, rivers and lakes”, says Mark Gold, former president of Heal the Bay and associate director of UCLA's Institute of The Environment and Sustainability, in a recent editorial piece published in the Los Angeles Times. Read more.
10/18/2012 - Did Banks Engage in Reverse-Redlining While Inflating the Housing Bubble?
A lawsuit filed this week against Morgan Stanley claims that the predatory lending practices that grew the housing bubble violated federal civil rights laws, an ironic echo of a time when housing policies prevented blacks from obtaining mortgages. - This Monday in New York, the ACLU and the National Consumer Law Center filed a 70-page lawsuit against Morgan Stanley, for its role in pushing other banks to issue large volumes of high-risk loans during the housing crisis. Read more.
10/18/2012 - Vertical Farming: A Viable Option for Future Food Production?
Is the idea of "farming up" really taking off? Vertical farming could yield long-term environmental benefits, but still faces many obstacles. - “Want to see where your food might come from in the future?”, Owen Fletcher asks, “Look up.” The potential environmental benefits of vertical farming are extensive, claim industry advocates, who believe it can help solve some of the world’s most pressing environmental issues, such as contributing to slowing climate change and land reclamation. Read more.
10/17/2012 - Norwegian Architects Honored for Defying Architectural Norms
Young architectural firm, TYIN Tegnestue, proves that good design can be affordable, and that architecture can be used to help solve some of the world's existing social ills, rather than exacerbating them, writes Kelsey Campbell-Dollaghan. - Each year, the European Prize for Architecture rewards architectural firms concerned less with producing spectacles, and more interested in finding solutions to social problems. Read more.
