Sustainable Urbanism: 2012

Friday, 28 December 2012

Cities With Denser Cores Do Better

Density — the close clustering of people together in communities — is a big factor in the technological and economic progress of cities and nations.

28 November 2012

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/jobs-and-economy/2012/11/cities-denser-cores-do-better/3911/

Saturday, 8 December 2012

Doha climate change deal clears way for 'damage aid' to poor nations

EU, Australia and Norway also sign up to new carbon-cutting targets as fortnight-long conference in Qatar closes

8 December 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/dec/08/doha-climate-change-deal-nations?intcmp=122

Thursday, 6 December 2012

Wave-Powered Robot Completes Record-Setting 9,000-Mile Journey Across the Ocean

Liquid Robotics, a Silicon Valley startup behind the surfboard-sized robots known as Wave Gliders, announced today that the Papa Mau robot completed a record-breaking 9,000 mile trip across the Pacific Ocean from California to Australia

6 December 2012

http://inhabitat.com/wave-powered-robot-completes-record-setting-9000-mile-journey-across-the-ocean/

Macro Micro Studio

The design and build of the UK’s first self-build, fully autonomous live/work timber studio in the Botanic Gardens, Dundee.

1 December 2012

http://plusmood.com/2012/12/timber-studio-macro-micro-studio/

Tuesday, 4 December 2012

Architecture for the Rest of Us

It’s no secret that these are difficult times for the architecture profession.

4 December 2012

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/design/2012/12/architecture-rest-us/3952/

Monday, 3 December 2012

Feed Your City: How Architecture and Farming Work Together

It’s easy to argue that architecture plays a part in the world of a foodie; most restaurants are uniquely designed to better the dining experience after all.

3 December 2012

http://www.good.is/posts/feed-your-city-how-architecture-and-farming-work-together

Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Amazon deforestation 'at record low'

The destruction of Amazon rainforest has reached its lowest level since monitoring began 24 years ago, the Brazilian government says.

27 November 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20512722

Monday, 26 November 2012

SayBoat is a Minimalist Floating Home Clad With Sustainable Beech Wood in the Czech Republic

Milan Řídký designed SayBoat for a Czech couple who wanted a simple but attractive floating home with a view of the stars

26 November 2012

http://inhabitat.com/sayboat-is-a-minimalist-floating-home-clad-with-sustainable-beech-wood-in-the-czech-republic/

Has the Kyoto protocol made any difference to carbon emissions?

The first phase of Kyoto, the only international binding treaty on emissions cuts, has failed to slow global carbon emissions

26 November 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2012/nov/26/kyoto-protocol-carbon-emissions

Canada, the surprise 'pariah' of the Kyoto protocol

Some Canadians doubt whether their country should have any say in negotiating the second Kyoto protocol after it became the only nation to reject the first one

26 November 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/26/canada-kyoto

Wednesday, 21 November 2012

Vancouver Becomes First City to Pave Its Streets With Recycled Plastic

The City of Vancouver has set the lofty goal of becoming the greenest city in the world by 2020 and, judging by their latest green innovation, they are thinking outside of the box to get there.

21 November 2012

http://inhabitat.com/vancouver-becomes-first-city-to-pave-their-streets-with-recycled-plastic/

Tuesday, 20 November 2012

World Meteorological Organization Reports Greenhouse Gas Emissions at a Record High

This week, the World Meteorological Organization published their Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, putting the world’s CO2 levels are a record 391 parts per billion

20 November 2012

http://inhabitat.com/world-meteorological-organization-reports-greenhouse-gas-emissions-at-a-record-high/

Monday, 19 November 2012

Five Reasons Why Urban Farming is the Most Important Movement of our Time

The simple act of planting a garden can shape issues like economics, health, and politics at the same time because food is an essential focal point of human activity.

19 November 2012

http://www.good.is/posts/five-reasons-why-urban-farming-is-the-most-important-movement-of-our-time

Sunday, 18 November 2012

The new ruralism: how the pastoral idyll is taking over our cities

Meadows nestling beside tower blocks, children cavorting in rustic playgrounds, not to mention all those farmers' markets – these days, our cities can't seem to get enough of the countryside

18 November 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2012/nov/18/new-ruralism-takes-over-cities?CMP=EMCNEWEML1355

Saturday, 17 November 2012

Rothschilds unite with National Trust to fight plans for high speed rail link

Billionaire family and conservation charity combine to propose 'green corridor' for £33bn track

17 November 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/nov/17/hs2-national-trust-rothschilds

Friday, 16 November 2012

New Findings Show Communities of Color Face the Worst Impacts From Dirty Coal Plants

The NAACP found that the six million people living within three miles of our 378 plants have an average per capita income of $18,400 per year; 39 percent are people of color.

16 November 2012

http://www.alternet.org/environment/new-findings-show-communities-color-face-worst-impacts-dirty-coal-plants

Decarbonisation target 'could be postponed until next parliament'

Senior source says difficult negotiations over plans to limit the carbon emissions of future power stations could delay decision

16 November 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/nov/16/decarbonisation-target-postponed-parliament?intcmp=122

Thursday, 15 November 2012

Chicago’s urban farm district could be the biggest in the nation

Chicago’s Black Belt area, on the historic South Side, was once a hub for jazz, blues, and literature, but today is riddled with vacant lots, poverty, and blight

15 November 2012

http://grist.org/food/chicago-urban-ag-farm-district-could-be-the-biggest-in-the-nation/

Monday, 12 November 2012

Biomass may hinder climate fight

A report by campaign groups has warned that burning biomass (such as wood) in power stations may hinder attempts to tackle climate change.

12 November 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20303668

EU suspends extension of plane emissions trading rules

The European Union has postponed a planned extension of rules that require airlines to pay for their carbon emissions to include flights to and from non-EU destinations.

12 November 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20299388

Making the Bike as Logical a Choice for Commuters as the Car, Bus, Train or Metro

What do you give the bike city that has it all? Better bicycle highways and parking lots, obviously.

12 November 2012

http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/12/making-the-bike-as-logic-a-choice-for-commuters-as-the-car-bus-train-or-metro/?smid=tw-nytimesworld&seid=auto

Thursday, 8 November 2012

Climate change threat to Arabica coffee crops

Climate change could severely reduce the areas suitable for wild Arabica coffee before the end of the century.

8 November 2012
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20252472

Wednesday, 7 November 2012

Sellafield nuclear waste storage is 'intolerable risk'

An "intolerable risk" is being posed by hazardous waste stored in run-down buildings at Sellafield nuclear plant, a watchdog has found

7 November 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-20228176

Monday, 5 November 2012

Swiss group seeks to limit population growth

5 November 2012

http://www.populationmatters.org/2012/blog/swiss-group-seeks-limit-population-growth/

Laos approves Xayaburi 'mega' dam on Mekong

Laos has given the go-ahead to build a massive dam on the lower Mekong river, despite opposition from neighbouring countries and environmentalists.

5 November 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20203072

Thursday, 1 November 2012

'Deep concern' as deal to protect Antarctic seas fails

Governments meeting in Australia have failed to reach agreement on new marine protected areas for the Antarctic ocean.

1 November 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20168508

Tuesday, 30 October 2012

Why Dell and Steelcase are using mushrooms and agricultural waste

Ecovative’s cofounders Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyre developed the company’s trademark RestoreTM Mushroom® Packaging that is made only of plant-based agricultural waste and mushroom roots.

30 October 2012

http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2012/10/30/why-dell-steelcase-using-mushrooms-agricultural-waste

Threat to sue over Allerton waste plant

Residents who claim their homes have been devalued by plans for a waste incinerator say they will sue a council for compensation if it goes ahead.

30 October 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-20131774

Parks and green space are precious, but should councils have to pay for them?

The social and health benefits of parks are clear. However, urban green space is under threat from budget cuts

30 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/oct/30/parks-green-space-councils-pay

Monday, 29 October 2012

Can A Mutant Electric Half-Car, Half-Motorcycle Disrupt The Vehicle Market?

The Lit C-1 doesn’t look like any car you’ve ever seen, but it still can go 120 mph and gets 200 miles on each charge.

29 October 2012
http://www.fastcoexist.com/1680779/can-a-mutant-electric-half-car-half-motorcycle-disrupt-the-vehicle-market#1

Thursday, 25 October 2012

Sweden Needs More Trash, Because It Has Turned All It’s Got Into Energy

What happens when a recycling plan is too successful? Sweden does such a good job recycling and turning its waste to energy that it has started importing trash from its neighbors.

25 October 2012

http://www.fastcoexist.com/1680763/sweden-needs-more-trash-because-it-has-turned-all-its-got-into-energy

Great City: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Unveil Plans For China's First Self-Sufficient, Carless City

A self-sustaining satellite city that offers a solution to the problems of overburdened infrastructure and high pollution levels that assail many of China’s major urban centers.

25 October 2012

http://inhabitat.com/great-city-adrian-smith-gordon-gill-unveil-plans-for-chinas-first-self-sufficient-carless-city/

Wednesday, 24 October 2012

Greening Cities Through the Power of Public Urination

Ever walk down the street and notice a sad, brownish scrub of a plant? Just pee on it!

24 October 2012

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/technology/2012/10/greening-cities-through-power-public-urination/3695/#

Gas flaring target of London conference

A conference in London on Wednesday aims to press oil firms to reduce gas flaring - the burning of natural gas at oil production sites.

24 October 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20055041

Levitt Bernstein's Pop-Up HAWSE Proposal Transforms London's Unused Garages into Temporary Housing

The project would be delivered through an apprenticeship scheme with components manufactured off-site as a kit of parts, making the structures are quick to assemble and able to be inhabited immediately—with the components being demountable and reusable.

24 October 2012

http://inhabitat.com/levitt-bernsteins-pop-up-hawse-proposal-transforms-londons-unused-garages-into-temporary-housing/

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

We must impose a carbon limit on new electricity generation here and now

Investing in renewables – not gas – will allow the UK to emerge from recession and meet carbon targets

23 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/23/carbon-limit-electricity-generation

UK public favours wind turbines over shale gas wells, poll finds

More than two-thirds of people would rather have a wind turbine than a shale gas well near their home

23 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/23/wind-shale-gas-icm-poll

Future of UK nuclear power hangs in the balance, says EDF boss

The company says it is waiting for government reassurances before going ahead with a nuclear construction programme

23 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/23/future-nuclear-power-uk-edf

Evolution or gentrification: Do urban farms lead to higher rents?

“Don’t you ever worry that your work in community gardening is contributing to gentrification?”

23 October 2012

http://grist.org/food/evolution-or-gentrification-do-urban-farms-lead-to-higher-rents/

Monday, 22 October 2012

Chinese protesters clash with police over power plant

Dozens injured and many detained as police fire teargas at Hainan residents in China's latest environmental dispute

22 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/22/chinese-protesters-power-plant

Can the Isle of Wight start a power revolution?

The island has taken its first steps towards a smart grid that will reduce electricity consumption and manage renewables

22 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/22/isle-of-wight-energy

Filling a Void in Warsaw

THREE years ago, Jakub Szczesny, a Polish architect, was walking through the old Jewish ghetto in Warsaw when he came upon what he described as an “appealing cushion of air” between a prewar apartment building and an 11-story postwar co-op.