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Mush on my windowsill. I’m sitting in DC, looking out a window at a mushy, mostly liquid ‘snow’ storm named after an obscure federal budgetary procedure. There’s a joke in there somewhere about failing to meet the hype. But instead, I’ll offer some links to articles of interest over the past few weeks. Regulatory challenges. Slate blogger Continue reading ‘Snow’ links: finding the right level of regulation Some links on the evolution of environmentalism and adaptation in the face of climate change: The Anthropocene: Over at Time, Bryan Walsh has a piece on the rise of the Anthropocene Era - an acknowledgement of the human impact on the Earth. Walsh links to a Slate piece by Keith Kloor on the tension within the environmental movement Continue reading Adaptation, environmentalism, and climate change A few items to share in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy: Hurricane Sandy from NASA GOES-13 Prediction: As the son of a meteorologist, I feel obligated to note that this storm was very well forecast. Given a broader critique of science on a number of fronts, the accuracy of the forecast and the warning it provided Continue reading Miscellaneous thoughts on Hurricane Sandy Roosevelt Island Tram – CC image from The Eyes of New York A couple of items that came across the internet about technology, innovation, the economy, and urban form: Tech & the City Nancy Scola pens a long piece in Next American City about the future of the technology industry in the city. The piece looks at Continue reading Shaping Silicon Valley Zoning notice from Burlington, VT – CC image from Don Shall The ‘right’ density: In the process of putting this post together, I missed Ryan Avent’s piece in The Economist, mentioning some of the broader consequences of land use regulation constraints. It’s a great summary of some of the key issues regarding density, constraints to growth, Continue reading Density links – process and constraints CC image from Rob Swatski Some illustrative links from the world of rail transportation: From Reason and Rail: Why the freight railroads will never electrify. This is the problem which freight electrification faces. While electrification would represent a lessening in fuel expenses, especially as the price of oil is expected to rise another 20-30% over the long-term, Continue reading Rail transport links – carry that weight 'Truth' – CC image from Kellan A few items on affordability and development: Short term vs. long term: Matt Yglesias asks why we’re not building more multi-unit buildings in the face of tremendous demand, and the answer is (broadly speaking) financing: Karl Smith, citing me, blames anti-density land use rules. Naturally I would like everyone to buy my book and Continue reading Constraints to affordability DC Zoning Map – CC image from Payton Chung Every so often (just as we’re seeing right now), someone will suggest changing DC’s height limit and a flurry of articles/blog posts/tweets/etc will go up, arguing for or against. This past week has been no exception. Zoning and process: At the Atlantic, Josh Barro argues that the height Continue reading Height and zoning links House for rent. CC image from Sean Dreilinger Foreclosed sprawl – the next frontier of renting? The New York Times looks at the practice of firms buying up foreclosed, cookie cutter sprawl housing at relatively low prices with the idea of renting these houses out to tenants. As an inspector for the Waypoint Real Estate Group, Continue reading Links: The new American Dream CC image from Jaybird A few more thoughts (and links) to discussion from The Rent is Too Damn High. On rent control: Mike Konzcal (linking to JW Mason) notes how Yglesias’ book is more or less an endorsement of renting, yet rent control and similar sorts of tenant protections are part of what helps give renters Continue reading The rent is still too damn high |
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