The hottest Urban planning Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Rethinking transit in downtown Montréal

Italian (urban) Letters • 235 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🏝 Travel Urban planning
  1. The current bus network in downtown Montréal lacks a coherent organizing principle and needs to be rethought for better connectivity.
  2. A redesign of the downtown bus network should focus on improving last-mile connectivity, creating a high-frequency grid, and making buses a viable option for intra-downtown trips.
  3. Implementing bus priority measures and rethinking traffic management can enhance bus performance and contribute to a more efficient and user-friendly transit system in downtown Montréal.

Making architecture easy

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 18 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🪑 Design Architecture Urban planning Aesthetics
  1. Architectural styles should prioritize ease of appreciation for the public, as buildings are experienced by many, not just their owners. This makes it important for styles to be friendly and accessible to everyone.
  2. There's a difference between 'easy' and 'challenging' styles in architecture. Easy styles are enjoyable without much effort, while challenging styles can be difficult to appreciate for most people.
  3. Modern architecture often tends to be less appealing to the general public, leading to a need for styles that blend traditional principles to ensure buildings fit well into everyday environments.

Console #194 -- An Interview with Geoff of OSMnx - Python for Street Networks

Console • 177 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Open Source Software Tools Urban planning
  1. OSMnx is a Python package for downloading, modeling, analyzing, and visualizing street networks and geospatial features from OpenStreetMap.
  2. OSMnx simplifies the process of converting raw OpenStreetMap data into graph-theoretic models for network analytics.
  3. Python was chosen for OSMnx due to its rich geospatial and network science ecosystems, familiarity among urban planners and geographers, and low barrier to entry.

What if we treated car crashes like plane crashes?

The Charlotte Ledger • 137 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
📰 News Transportation Analysis Safety Urban planning
  1. When investigating plane crashes, every piece of evidence is examined to prevent future incidents. Car crash investigations should also focus on prevention rather than just assigning blame.
  2. A group of urbanists is analyzing car crashes like plane crashes, suggesting changes to prevent future accidents based on detailed analysis.
  3. Factors like lack of mid-crossing pedestrian refuges, long traffic signal cycles, and high speed limits contribute to car crashes, highlighting the need for changes in infrastructure and traffic management.

A Grand Theft: Auto Industry Stole Our Streets And Our Future

As If We Were Staying • 1 implied HN point • 09 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Urban planning Consumerism Transportation Environmental justice Historical Analysis
  1. The automobile industry changed the design of our cities, taking away spaces that were once meant for people. Streets used to be safe places for everyone, but cars changed that, leading to rises in accidents and fatalities.
  2. Big companies shaped public perceptions about cars being essential for modern life. They promoted the idea that owning a car was necessary, while at the same time, they bought and destroyed public transport systems to make way for more cars.
  3. We need to imagine a new future for our cities away from car dependency. It’s important for everyone to contribute ideas for a better urban design that prioritizes people, nature, and community, instead of serving corporate interests.
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How Ozempic Will Change Cities

The New Urban Order • 119 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Obesity Medication Diet Physical activity Urban planning
  1. Nearly 3 out of 4 Americans over 20 years old are either overweight or obese, and as medications like semaglutide become more accessible, it may lead to significant changes in eating habits and society.
  2. While semaglutide can help reduce the obesity epidemic, it won't address the root causes such as predatory marketing of unhealthy foods, poverty, or lack of access to safe places for physical activity.
  3. The impact of medications like semaglutide on reducing obesity and changing eating habits could have far-reaching effects on various aspects of cities, from restaurants and transportation to parks and employment.

Critique of Kvarteret Backklövern detailed development plan in Solna

The Third Place • 59 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🪑 Design Urban planning Architecture Sustainability Aesthetics
  1. Encouraging diversity in building typology within neighborhoods can foster inclusivity and community integration.
  2. Prioritizing pedestrian and cyclist accessibility in urban planning can lead to sustainable and vibrant communities, like Barcelona's superblocks.
  3. Balancing practicality with cultural enrichment, such as including entertainment or cultural facilities in development plans, is essential for creating thriving and lively communities.

Let's Reconsider Moveable Chairs in Public Space

The New Urban Order • 99 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🪑 Design Public Space Urban planning City Development
  1. Designing vibrant public spaces involves more than just adding moveable chairs, as it may sometimes feel like a shortcut to thoughtful design.
  2. Placemaking in cities has seen success with quick and cost-effective improvements using moveable chairs, but there's a need to consider the long-term development and meaningful enhancements of public spaces.
  3. Cities should move beyond relying solely on moveable chairs and explore more innovative and comprehensive approaches to developing public spaces that align with both form and function.

I hate SUVs and pickup trucks

Klement on Investing • 5 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transportation Public Safety Urban planning Environmental Policy
  1. SUVs and pickup trucks are bigger than some tanks, making them a danger on the roads. Smaller cars can do the same job more safely.
  2. The design of SUVs can lead to more severe injuries or deaths for pedestrians, especially children. Studies show that if these larger vehicles were replaced with regular cars, many lives could be saved.
  3. Driving an SUV doesn't make motorists safer; advancements in car safety technology are the bigger reason for decreased motorist deaths. Choosing a smaller, regular car is better for everyone.

Follow-Up Against Agglomeration Economies

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 84 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
💼 Business Economics Housing Market Urban planning
  1. Cities with blocked growth experience a process of migration due to housing costs rising, impacting residents' average incomes.
  2. Affordability in cities like Boston, NYC, and LA could have been maintained if they grew at rates similar to other cities like Oklahoma City or Salt Lake City.
  3. Limited growth approval in certain cities contributes to housing deprivation and lack of affordability, not an overflow of demand.

Human Habitrails

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 199 implied HN points • 12 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Urban planning Architecture History Society Humor
  1. Seattle has a lot of tunnels that help move things like sewage and trains, with over 40 miles of tunnels under the city. These tunnels have been built since the 1880s and include some famous ones like the Lake City Trunk Sewer.
  2. Many pedestrian tunnels exist in Seattle, connecting different buildings and areas. Some of these tunnels are accessible and can help people navigate safely without going outside.
  3. There's a lot of talk about secret tunnels in Seattle, especially in Chinatown, but many of these stories are more myth than fact. However, there are still some interesting historical stories about tunnels used for transporting goods.

The Wells of Venice

Of All Trades • 12 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
💾 History Engineering Architecture Urban planning
  1. Venice faced a big problem getting fresh water because it is surrounded by saltwater. To solve this, the people invented clever rainwater cisterns and wells.
  2. The Venetian wells used a special system that filtered rainwater to keep it clean. This made clean drinking water available despite the challenges of their environment.
  3. These historical wells show human creativity in solving problems. They remind us that, even without modern technology, people in the past found smart ways to adapt to their surroundings.

The Questions Guiding IKEA's Future

Ruben Ugarte's Growth Needle™ • 39 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
💼 Business Retail Marketing Innovation Economics Urban planning
  1. IKEA is looking at new ways to adapt by experimenting with smaller stores in downtown areas. This change could help them reach more customers who live in cities.
  2. The success of IKEA's regular big stores is leading to new ideas that might involve more innovative shopping experiences. They are trying to think outside the box to keep their business thriving.
  3. Nordstrom's closure in Canada shows that even popular locations can face challenges. It highlights the need for companies like IKEA to be flexible and responsive to market demands.

Proposal for flying car cable gondola system

Expand Mapping with Mike Morrow • 6 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Transportation Innovations Mobility Urban planning Sustainability
  1. Flying cars, or eVTOLs, currently have limited range and perform poorly in bad weather. These challenges need to be addressed to make them more practical.
  2. A cable gondola system could help overcome the limitations of flying cars by allowing them to hitch onto cables for part of their journey. This could improve their efficiency and reduce the need for long-range flight.
  3. Using suspended cables could be a less disruptive transportation method compared to traditional roads and rail systems. It's worth considering if this approach is more environmentally friendly, especially for wildlife.

what might happen - one sequence

Douglass’s Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Urban planning Natural Disasters Resource Management Environmental Activism
  1. Very few are aware of major trends already happening on Earth, such as deforestation, floods, and food production decline
  2. A proposed sequence envisions a path from crisis to Gardenworld through stages like Lifeboats and Security
  3. The concept of Gardenworld offers a goal for continuous experimentation and improvement in education, medicine, and other areas

Tortoise Trumps Hare

Surfing the Future • 19 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Change Cities Social Change Urban planning
  1. Change can happen at different tempos - either slowly and steadily or in sudden bursts.
  2. Traditional cities evolved through trial-and-error, messily, embracing human messiness, while tech-centric areas opt for a more exclusive lifestyle.
  3. Engaging with exponential trends is important for shaping the future, but sometimes slow change can lead to radical transformation.

The perils of freeway caps

Urben Field Notes • 32 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Urban planning Transportation Community Advocacy
  1. Covering urban freeways with parks through freeway caps is a popular urban planning trend, but it may not fully address the deeper issues of routing heavy traffic through dense neighborhoods.
  2. Freeway caps can be politically attractive solutions, especially in high-traffic areas, but may not be the most imaginative or effective options in all cases, potentially entrenching urban freeways for generations.
  3. Transportation planning often prioritizes vehicles over transit alternatives, showcasing a need for a shift towards more comprehensive approaches like full freeway removal projects, leading to better urban planning and community connectivity.

Maui’s Post-Wildfire Housing Crisis Offers a Warning for Los Angeles 🌴 🔥

Hothouse // Solutions • 3 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Disaster Response Housing policy Homelessness Urban planning
  1. After wildfires, many people in Maui ended up homeless and rents spiked by a lot. This situation could happen in Los Angeles if strong renter protections aren't put in place.
  2. In Maui, some landlords took advantage of the disaster by raising rents or evicting tenants to bring in higher-paying renters. This hurt those who were already struggling after losing their homes.
  3. Los Angeles leaders are under pressure to protect renters now. Activists are keeping track of price-gouging, but it's unclear if officials can enforce laws to help tenants.

Slip Sliding Away

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 99 implied HN points • 13 Jan 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Geology Weather Climate change Urban planning
  1. Seattle is known for landslides, especially after heavy rain. Homes can shift significantly when the ground becomes saturated.
  2. The city's geology plays a big role in these landslides, with layers of clay and sediment making it easy for the ground to slip.
  3. Efforts have been made throughout history to manage water and prevent landslides, but many areas still face challenges due to the unstable ground.

The Greater London Project

The Greater London Project • 1 HN point • 18 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture City life Urban planning History Public spaces Innovation
  1. London is already great and has the potential to become even greater with its rich cultural scene, important companies, and global appeal.
  2. Challenges like housing shortages, infrastructure issues, and crime need to be addressed for London to reach its full potential.
  3. Proposals to improve London include creating more affordable housing, enhancing public transport, increasing safety measures, and embracing new technologies.

A Robotaxi Regulation Wishlist

Urben Field Notes • 27 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Regulations Transportation Urban planning Public Policy Technology impact
  1. The decisions made now by San Francisco and California about robotaxis will have a significant impact.
  2. Implementing specific regulations for robotaxis can help in managing traffic congestion and improving city transportation.
  3. There is a need for regulations like congestion pricing, robotaxi-free corridors, and designated pickup spots to enhance the integration of robotaxis in city transportation systems.

Are Single-Stair Buildings the New ADUs?

The New Urban Order • 2 HN points • 10 May 24
🪑 Design Architecture Urban planning Climate Resilience Affordable Housing
  1. Building codes influence the architecture of cities, leading to big, boxy buildings with uniform designs.
  2. Advocates are pushing for building code reforms to allow single-stair buildings, which are common in European countries with fewer fire deaths per capita than the US.
  3. Recent changes in cities like Seattle, Tennessee, and Austin show a shift towards enabling single-stair buildings as a way to promote gentle density and climate resilience.

vanshnookenraggen on the past, present, and future of transportation

Exasperated Infrastructures • 12 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
💼 Business Transportation Urban planning Public Policy Infrastructure Advocacy
  1. Andrew Lynch, known as vanshnookenraggen, got into mapping and transportation history out of pure curiosity and interest in urban planning.
  2. His work focuses on creating maps that visualize transportation systems and history to make complex information easier to understand.
  3. There's a need to connect land use policy with transportation policy, understand the political realities of planning, and engage communities effectively in urban planning decisions.

Issue 14: A peasant surprise

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 8 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
💾 History Urban planning
  1. The 14th issue of Works in Progress talks about Russia's historical reforms to dismantle serfdom, with lessons for current reform efforts today.
  2. Proposing new approaches to organ donation incentives may be more effective than defaults, as shown by research by Duncan McClements and Jason Hausenloy.
  3. Reviving the cut and cover method for building underground railway networks could be a cost-effective solution for many cities, as explored by Brian Potter.

Daily Exasperation #9

Exasperated Infrastructures • 7 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Infrastructure Legislation Public interest Urban planning
  1. The author discusses the lack of efficient travel options between cities in the US compared to Europe.
  2. There is a call for a change in legislative approaches to prioritize people's interests over moneyed ones.
  3. The article emphasizes the need for a clearer vision for New York City's future to address current and potential issues.

"Inclusive Transportation" with Veronica O. Davis, PE

Exasperated Infrastructures • 4 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Transportation Community Engagement Advocacy Inclusivity Urban planning
  1. Veronica O. Davis, PE advocates for repairing divided communities through inclusive transportation
  2. The book emphasizes engaging diverse stakeholders and reflecting on planning processes
  3. Success in transportation means prioritizing community needs, storytelling, and diversity in voices

Henry Grabar's "Paved Paradise" is a Masterpiece

Exasperated Infrastructures • 9 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🎭️ Culture Book review Urban planning Transportation Cities Society
  1. Henry Grabar's book 'Paved Paradise' is likened to important urban planning works and sheds light on the impacts of parking policies.
  2. The book discusses the significant role of parking in shaping urban landscapes and the conflicts it has spurred.
  3. Through vivid storytelling and real-life characters, 'Paved Paradise' explores the complexities of parking policies and advocates for safer streets.

Sustainable Winter Cities

The Third Place • 1 HN point • 20 Mar 24
🪑 Design Urban planning Public spaces Community Engagement
  1. Swedish winters can be challenging with prolonged darkness, cold temperatures, and limited vegetation, affecting mental health and activity levels.
  2. Improving public spaces in winter cities involves creating pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, clear bike lanes, and mixed-use development for vibrant and efficient neighborhoods.
  3. Cities worldwide are implementing creative approaches to make winter more enjoyable, such as ice skating rinks, winter sports events, snow parks, festivals, and illuminated paths, fostering community engagement and appreciation for the season.

Norman Garrick on the Past, Present, and Future of Transportation

Exasperated Infrastructures • 7 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Transportation Urban planning Sustainability Social justice Infrastructure
  1. Norman Garrick highlights the need for cities that prioritize people on foot over vehicles going at high speeds.
  2. He discusses the challenges of car dependency, especially in countries like Jamaica, and emphasizes the importance of transit, bike, and pedestrian planning.
  3. Garrick advocates for creating car-light cities that are free from the dangers, noise, pollution, and costs associated with cars, focusing on designing for people's quality of life and low-carbon urban environments.

The real problem with California Forever

Urben Field Notes • 1 HN point • 18 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Urban planning Transportation
  1. The new city California Forever lacks regional transit planning, which is a significant flaw.
  2. The city focuses on good urban design, such as mixed-use buildings, bike lanes, and bus-rapid transit corridors.
  3. Despite thoughtful transportation planning within the city, the project neglects regional transportation solutions, missing opportunities for better transit connectivity.

So what makes a city more walkable?

intellectualinting • 1 HN point • 21 Feb 24
🏝 Travel Urban planning Infrastructure Public Transportation Climate Safety
  1. Walkability in a city is about the ability for a random citizen to live happily without a car or reliance on private transport services.
  2. Factors like density, localized distribution of resources, proper infrastructure, public transportation, connectedness, and climate/play a vital role in determining a city's walkability.
  3. The idea of walkability may differ among individuals, with personal preferences affected by lifestyle, wealth, and cultural norms.