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“Oregon will move to tax cars by the mile,” by Knute Berger
Oregon might transition away from a gas tax in 2009 and switch to a mileage tax instead.
Unfortunately, the scheme raises privacy issues/ concerns, since GPS satellite tracking systems would be used to keep track of one’s mileage. Ouch.
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A 9/10/08 pointer to a 44-pg PDF, “The economic impact of high density development and tall buildings in central business districts: British Property Federation.” From the description:
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There is increasing recognition of the need to increase the density of commercial development, especially in the centres of our towns and cities. The sustainability benefits of high density are relatively well known. For example, less urban sprawl means less need to use greenfield sites, more use of public transport and, with mixed use developments, a reduced need to travel.However, there is also an economic case for increased commercial density, as specified in Policy Planning Statement (PPS) 6 and the State of the English Cities. In current debates about increasing commercial density in London – including through tall buildings – this economic element has been little mentioned, and is perhaps little understood.
This research has sought to explain and estimate the economic costs and benefits of high density commercial development in central business districts. The aim is to provide a more rounded picture of the economic impact of high density development and to strengthen the assessment of such development.
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The Frontal Cortex : Urban Innovation – Annotated
Jonah Lehrer discusses Ed Glaeser’s recent post in the NYT blog on NYC and why it’s “America’s most resilient city.” Lots of great points, interesting comments thread, too. Closing line by Lehrer nails it.
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A Christmas essay: a better way to help the homeless – Annotated
Article published in Seattle-based Crosscut about an initiative out of Vancouver to build “Stop Gap Housing” (as per architect Gregory Henriquez), essentially fixed mobile/modular homes, for people who are homeless. Article continues over 2 pages.
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Bjork turns venture capitalist
Self-explanatory, by title. I always liked Bjork, starting with The Sugarcubes… 😉
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YouTube – Authors@Google: Lee Siegel
Lee Siegel presenting at Google, with Q&A following.
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Journalist Lee Siegel visits Google’s Mountain View, CA, headquarters to discuss his book “Against the Machine.” This event took place on April 28, 2008, as part of the Authors@Google series.
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Why Does Hollywood Hate the Suburbs? – WSJ.com – Annotated
Interesting article by Lee Siegel on the history of hating the suburbs.
His point about cities having become more uniform/ conformist (i.e., like suburbs) is interesting. Not sure how well this all holds up, though…
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One of the most glaring ironies of American life is that, a quarter-century later, the cities have metamorphosed into the suburbs — sans trees and grass. The cities’ fabled diversity has devolved into global chain stores and the electrolyte-enhanced water bottle and the branded baseball cap have become the accessories of a universal comfort and conformity. In a social and cultural sea change, the cities’ rented apartments, once the guarantor of diversity and fluid, exciting movement, have been converted into exclusive co-ops and condominiums.
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Portal page for Passivhaeuser.
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NYT: No Furnaces but Heat Aplenty in Innovative ‘Passive Houses’ – Annotated
The New York Times gets & spreads a clue about Passivhaeuser.
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