In my master’s final paper I described how to adapt five basic criteria for public participation in urban planning to the Internet. The fifth criteria was information, defined as “provide more information in a clearly understood form, free of distortion and technical jargon.” For providing information over the Internet, the most important concept is usability. […]
Searching for Philadelphia’s Trinities
When I visited Philadelphia in April 2007, I stayed with my friend Emily in an improbably tiny house. She had explained that it was off a pedestrian alley off an alley – itself an unusual description – but when I entered I discovered the house had, apparently, just one room. A tiny, twisting staircase led […]
Tools for e-Democracy in Urban Planning
My master’s final paper covers the history of public participation in American urban planning, participation theory, and the general approach that should guide using the Internet for urban planning, among other topics. However, it deliberately avoids the subject of what specific Internet tools could be used. This was intentional, as the technology is rapidly evolving. […]
Public Involvement in U. of Maryland East Campus Planning
Tonight at an event at the MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning I met Harry Mattison, the author of a blog about the
Learning From George
The circulation of currency has long intrigued humankind. From ancient times, people have no doubt wondered about the history of the coins and bills found in their possession. Where have they traveled? What stories could they tell? From an economic point of view, money is something of an enigma. Its buying power varies according to […]
Mass. Survey Finds Nearly One-Quarter of Distressed Homeowners Obtain Loan Modifications
An intriguing new survey by the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations finds that nearly one-quarter of homeowners facing foreclosure who sought counseling were able to obtain a loan modification from their mortgage lender. Drawing from 1,143 people who have sought assistance from non-profit agencies providing housing counseling, the survey also contains information about the […]
Transition News Items
Since President-Elect Barack Obama’s election last week news has been flying fast. Here’s a few items that caught my eye. Obama quickly launched an official transition website, appropriately called Change.gov. Featuring a blog and an invitation for users to submit their vision about what “America can be” and “where President-Elect Obama should lead this country.” […]