Offering good urbanism for imitation & sharing opportunities for resolution.
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Rockefeller Foundation target: 100 resilient cities
In celebration of its centennial, the New York-based foundation has unveiled a $35 million grant program to help cities across the globe prepare for natural disasters like Superstorm Sandy.
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Cul-de-Sac Poverty
More poor Americans live in suburbs than in cities, but public policy hasn’t caught up to address their needs.
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So many TED talks, but which ones to watch? Like most people, I really enjoy listening to passionate people speak, which is why I’m posting this talk on how bad architecture wrecked cities by James Kunstler.
Lots of things to take away from this talk, but for me, the overarching point: when you degrade the public realm, you will degrade the quality of your civic life.(Source: imaginingcities)
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Steps.jpg (by Duane Storey)
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GeoGuessr - Let's explore the world!
GeoGuessr is a geography game which takes you on a journey around the world and challenges your ability to recognize your surroundings.
My new favorite game!
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![massurban:
The Atlantic Cities:
“How to Save Water-Starved Cities
Eric Jaffe. May 16, 2013
Considering how blue this planet looks from outer space, it seems strange to worry that water supplies would run dry. But that’s exactly what’s happening in a lot of major metropolitan areas around the world. Turns out more than half of all global cities with populations greater than 100,000 people are located in regions with depleted water basins.
So what can thirsty cities do to secure a watery future? Well the first step may be getting in touch with local farmers. A new study [PDF] led by Brian Richter of the Nature Conservancy suggests that the key to replenishing city water supplies is forming urban-rural partnerships designed to decrease regional consumption:
A major conclusion is that considerable untapped potential exists for cities to form partnerships with agricultural water users to reduce water consumption on farms, thereby freeing up additional water supply for urban use while potentially reducing the water-related costs of farming, as well as farming’s vulnerability to water shortages.”
Images and figures via B. D. Richter, et al. (2013). Tapped out: how can cities secure their water future?Water Policy, 15(3), 335-363. doi:10.2166/wp.2013.105](http://25.media.tumblr.com/bc985375d886eb4e0272c959d9ed1cdc/tumblr_mn42ltVXoh1qm7ffpo1_1280.jpg)
“How to Save Water-Starved Cities
Eric Jaffe. May 16, 2013
Considering how blue this planet looks from outer space, it seems strange to worry that water supplies would run dry. But that’s exactly what’s happening in a lot of major metropolitan areas around the world. Turns out more than half of all global cities with populations greater than 100,000 people are located in regions with depleted water basins.
So what can thirsty cities do to secure a watery future? Well the first step may be getting in touch with local farmers. A new study [PDF] led by Brian Richter of the Nature Conservancy suggests that the key to replenishing city water supplies is forming urban-rural partnerships designed to decrease regional consumption:
A major conclusion is that considerable untapped potential exists for cities to form partnerships with agricultural water users to reduce water consumption on farms, thereby freeing up additional water supply for urban use while potentially reducing the water-related costs of farming, as well as farming’s vulnerability to water shortages.”
Images and figures via B. D. Richter, et al. (2013). Tapped out: how can cities secure their water future?Water Policy, 15(3), 335-363. doi:10.2166/wp.2013.105
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Emanuel to announce $300 million DePaul stadium plan for McCormick Place - Chicago Sun-Times
Mayor Rahm Emanuel is expected to announce this week plans for a $300 million 12,000-seat arena for DePaul University at McCormick Place â a proposal that will call for millions in taxpayer dollars, sources tell the Chicago Sun-Times. The mayor will also announce plans to build two mega hotels on McPier property in the hopes of aggressively growing convention and meeting business in Chicago.
Congratulations to DePaul on a new arena that will be a newer, shinier version of the off-campus, disjointed arena they already don’t fill!
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The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces, William H. Whyte
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‘Toffee Factory’
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The Almost-Good Reasons Toronto Elected Rob Ford
But I have bad news for you, Canada: Americans have learned about Rob Ford, and we’ll have no more of your smug superiority
Topical
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“Salt Lake Library”, Oil on Board, 30” x 20”
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Do you have an idea on how transportation could change America’s urban landscape?
What impact does urban mass transit have on the mobility of our cities in which we live, work and play?
What does the future hold for transportation investments in urban mass transit?
What forms will these new investments take and what is the result to our built environment?
Transform Kansas City, a collaboration between the Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance and the Kansas City Chapter of the American Institute of Architects Young Architects Forum, would like to apply these questions and solutions to the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. Transform Kansas City has launched an International Call for Ideas and is asking for submissions that illustrate transportation related or affected ideas or solutions. Transform Kansas City invites you, no matter your background or experience, to submit your ideas on transportation, urban design and architecture.
Kansas City is a mid-sized Midwestern American city with a population of just over 2 million people concentrated in both Missouri and Kansas. Until the 1950’s, Kansas City was a vibrant urban center with bustling activity strengthened by streetcar and passenger rail synergies. The widespread introduction of the automobile decimated the public transportation system in Kansas City. Since the end of the streetcar era the urban core of Kansas City has slowly declined to an almost halt. Infrastructure deteriorated, populations fled for the suburbs and new investments were ineffective and stagnant….until now…
The future of Kansas City’s urban core and the metropolitan area in general is starting to brighten. Thanks to several large scale transit investment strategies, the region has the opportunity to see urban Kansas City return to its bustling days of transit glory. A robust return to the streetcar system, high technology light and regional rail systems, and a smart grid strengthened by Google Fiber all add to endless possibilities to the Kansas City environment.
Here is where you come in. We would like for you to identify and elaborate on the initiatives taking shape in Kansas City. Better yet, create your own. No idea is too large or novel. Introduce us to transformative transit projects in other parts of the world. Display original designs relevant to the Kansas City region. Inspire us!
Submissions are due June 30, 2013 and selected entries will be featured on the TransformKC.org website and included in an exhibition at Union Station. Please visit the website for submission criteria and medium. The TransformKC exhibition will be located in the East Hall of Union Station during the month of October 2013. The exhibit provides a great opportunity to bring your ideas, knowledge and expertise to a local, grassroots level and showcase you as a leader in the world’s built environment.
For more information please visit the TransformKC.org website.
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Livable Buckhead + AECOM, Promotional Video for The Buckhead Collection, Atlanta, GA, 2013
