I just posted my monthly blog post to Planetizen. Here’s part: After the dramatic collapse of the Minneapolis freeway bridge last week, the collective hand-wringing began. The bridge was known to be faulty, but had not been replaced. Our entire public transit system is underfunded, we were told. In addition to transportation infrastructure, those concerned […]
Calling in the Feds
Under Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution, the federal government is ordered to protect the states from invasion, and upon request from state governors or legislature, protect them from “domestic violence.” Article 1, Section 8 requires Congress to call forth troops to “execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions.” […]
An Introduction to the Manhole Covers of Washington, D.C.
I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about manhole covers recently. I was reminded of the topic at a recent lecture by Dr. Timothy Beatly during a lecture about urban placemaking. He was speaking about ways European and Australian cities create distinctive urban environments. European cities, generally much denser and with higher foot traffic […]
Catholic City, University Rises in Florida
Ave Maria, Florida is a lot of things. To its developer, it will be a “compact, walkable, self-sustaining” city of 30,000 people. To Ave Maria University, it is home to their new campus, the first major Catholic university constructed in the U.S. in 40 years. To its founder Tom Monaghan, it will be a conservative […]
Announcing Planetizen’s Interchange
All too often when I tell people I am studying urban planning, my statement is met by a blank stare. Some will mumble something about a city they’ve been to, or admit they don’t know much about it. Urban planning’s lack of visibility extends to the web, where there is a depressing lack of good […]
Shaw Blogosphere Review
Over the past several months there has been a small blogging renaissance in Shaw. Any discussion of the Shaw blogosphere has to start with the the long-running (almost 4 years) and thoughtful In Shaw. However, the recent renaissance seemed to start some time last summer when Life in Mount Vernon Square (which, despite the name […]
National Archives to Cut Researcher Hours
The National Archives will eliminate evening and Saturday hours for their DC-area facilities under a proposed rule published in the Federal Register yesterday. Currently the public researcher reading rooms are open until 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and open from 8:45 until 4:45 on Saturday. Under the proposed schedule the facilities would be […]