The hottest Urban Studies Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways

The Death of Scenius

The Ruffian • 288 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25

Urban creativity has declined because artists are less connected and no longer gather in cities like they used to. This lack of connection limits inspiration and collaboration.
The concept of 'scenius' shows that creativity thrives when talented people are in close proximity to each other. Working together can spark new ideas and movements.
Rising living costs and the internet's influence have made it harder for artists to meet and collaborate, leading to fewer innovative cultural movements today.

Seattle's First Map

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 379 implied HN points • 04 Apr 24

🎭️ Culture Local history Urban Studies Cartography Cultural Identity

Seattle's first map, drawn in 1856, shows a small area with just a few buildings and the beginnings of the town. The map reflects a very early time in Seattle's history.
Many of the original settlers were optimistic about the city's growth, even though they faced challenges like dense forests and high tides that isolated their settlement.
The early vision for Seattle was a bustling city with straight streets and large homes, but over time, much of the natural landscape changed and was transformed for business.

NPCs in the Slop Mines

Kneeling Bus • 205 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24

🎭️ Culture Social Behavior Urban Studies Digital Culture

Waiting in long lines has become common, and many people don't even know why they're waiting. This reflects a tendency to follow trends and social media hype without questioning it.
People can develop habits that make them behave like non-player characters (NPCs) in their daily lives. We all have routines, but it's important to be aware of how societal pressures shape our behavior.
AI and the internet produce a lot of low-quality content, similar to how people can act predictably or unimaginatively. Recognizing this can push us to engage more thoughtfully and creatively in both online and offline spaces.

The Ravineous City

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 219 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24

🎭️ Culture Urban Studies Geography History Nature Language

Seattle has many natural ravines formed by a mix of geology, climate, and time. These ravines provide unique landscapes in the city.
Different places use different terms for similar features; for example, Tacoma prefers 'gulch' over 'ravine'. This shows how local culture influences language.
Ravenna is a well-known ravine in Seattle with interesting historical and linguistic connections. Its name reflects a mix of culture and nature.

Welcome

City Quitters • 379 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23

🎭️ Culture Urban Studies Cultural Trends Lifestyle changes Travel experiences

More people are thinking about leaving cities for a simpler life. It's a trend that seems to be growing.
The author is curious about what holds people back from moving to rural areas and what challenges they face there.
After a long time away from the city, the author felt renewed and wants to share insights and stories through a newsletter.

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Philadelphia's Stray Cats

The Weekly Gazette • 42 implied HN points • 11 Sep 24

🎭️ Culture Animal Welfare Community Engagement Urban Studies Volunteering History

Philadelphia has a significant stray cat problem, with about 400,000 cats living outdoors. These cats often face dangers like disease, abuse, and harsh weather.
Organizations like The Cat Collaborative are using trap-neuter-return (TNR) methods to help manage the cat population. This technique aims to reduce the number of stray cats over time.
Despite some success, TNR has its challenges and critics. A large number of cats need to be trapped and fixed for it to be effective, and public awareness is key to improving the situation.

Bits and pieces.

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 99 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23

🎭️ Culture Travel AI Urban Studies Cultural criticism

Seoul is a city filled with many coffee shops and restaurants, but navigating it can be confusing due to language barriers and a complicated address system.
The differences between areas in Seoul, like north and south, show how urbanization affects culture and economy, making the city unique and complex.
There's a lack of clear language to talk about personal experiences of places, which is also a problem when it comes to understanding meaning in AI and its impact on human ethics and biases.

Urban Stalactites

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 219 implied HN points • 28 Jul 22

🔬 Science Geology Urban Studies Environmental Science Sustainability

Urban stalactites, called calthemites, form from the weathering of concrete when water carries calcium hydroxide and reacts with carbon dioxide in the air. They look like tiny cave formations hanging from structures.
The growth of these stalactites can happen quickly, with the best conditions allowing them to grow up to 2 mm a day. However, they can be fragile and might break if disturbed.
In cities like Seattle, you can find these formations in places like tunnels, bridges, and parking garages. They add an interesting geological feature to urban landscapes.

Well Traveled Cement

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 219 implied HN points • 28 Apr 22

🔬 Science Geology Environmental History Botany Urban Studies

Cement in Seattle comes from limestone that originated in the Pacific Ocean around 200 million years ago. This means the material in our buildings has a fascinating history.
From the 1860s to 1920s, San Juan Island was a key source of lime for cement production in Washington. Workers made quicklime by heating limestone, which was then used to create mortar and cement.
Seattle's cement boom kicked off after the Great Fire of 1889, leading to building codes that favored durable materials. So, the buildings we see today have stories dating back millions of years.

Spring is Nigh

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 239 implied HN points • 17 Mar 22

🎭️ Culture Nature Literature Environmentalism Philosophy Urban Studies

Spring brings joy and beauty to everyone, no matter where they live. It's a time when nature reawakens, reminding us of simple pleasures and hope.
Connecting with nature can boost happiness and help create a better future. Embracing the world around us can be a powerful antidote to life's challenges.
In spring, we notice new life all around us, like colorful flowers and singing birds. These signs remind us to appreciate the small wonders in our everyday lives.

Seven Hills of Seattle

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 06 Oct 22

🎭️ Culture Geography History Literature Urban Studies

Seattle is famously said to be built on seven hills, but there’s some debate about which hills should be counted. Some people agree with the original list of hills, while others suggest different ones.
The hills of Seattle have been both a source of pride and challenges for the city. They created scenic views but also made travel and construction difficult.
Over time, the idea of Seattle's 'seven hills' has changed. Today, the commonly accepted hills reflect a mix of history and geography, with names that have transitioned through the years.

A Genealogy of Gentrification

Urben Field Notes • 48 implied HN points • 17 May 23

🎭️ Culture Urban Studies History Sociology Politics Gentrification

Gentrification can have different meanings to different people, leading to a complex perspective on urban change.
Historically, gentrification has roots in the ideologies and actions of the first-wave gentrifiers in Brooklyn.
The narrative around gentrification has been influenced by brownstoners, shaping the understanding of urban inequality and development.

Map of Maps

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 99 implied HN points • 09 Dec 21

🎭️ Culture Maps Art Geography Urban Studies Community

Maps can show us unique aspects of the places we live, like different features and stories about our communities.
Using maps can help us connect with our surroundings better, as they give us a broader view than just following GPS on our phones.
Exploring local maps can bring new insights into our cities and encourage us to appreciate the history and art around us.

Pilings, nothing more than Pilings

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 99 implied HN points • 08 Jul 21

🎭️ Culture Urban Studies Architecture History Infrastructure Environmental Impact

Pilings are important for building urban structures over water, especially in places like Puget Sound. They allow cities to expand and develop their waterfronts.
The process of driving pilings into the ground is complex and labor-intensive. Special machines called pile drivers use heavy weights to push long wooden logs deep into the muddy ground to secure foundations.
While pilings helped cities grow, they also caused environmental damage by reducing natural habitats and using a lot of wood from local forests.

North by Northwest

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 14 Apr 22

🎭️ Culture Urban Studies Geography Psychology Sociology Lifestyle

People who grew up in complicated road systems tend to have better navigation skills. This is because they learned to remember directions and landmarks while making many turns.
Seattle has unique navigation aids like directional parking signs and special street patterns to help people find their way. The city's streets are not laid out in a simple grid, which can make navigation tricky.
Natural features, like mountains, can help with orientation in a city. They serve as a consistent point of reference, making it easier to know which way to go.

Cemeteries: A Great Place for Geodorks

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 19 Aug 21

🔬 Science Geology Natural History Ecology Biology Urban Studies

Cemeteries are interesting places for geology lovers. You can find unique rocks and stones used in tombstones that tell stories about the local geology.
Different styles of tombstones, like treestumps, have special meanings. They often include symbols that represent aspects of life, such as doves for peace or frogs for resurrection.
Visiting cemeteries can be a calming experience. They offer quiet spaces to explore nature, observe wildlife, and enjoy beautiful sights like lichens and weathered stones.

How We Learn Cities

polymathematics • 19 implied HN points • 16 Aug 22

🎭️ Culture Urban Studies Travel Writing Photography Literature Personal narrative

When you visit a new city, everything feels exciting but overwhelming. It's easy to just rush through the sights instead of really experiencing them.
Over time, you start to notice things differently. What once seemed strange can become part of your routine, making the city feel more like home.
Taking notes of everyday details can help you remember your experiences better. It’s important to appreciate and capture the little things around you.

That Rose-Colored Campus Life

Shore Leave • 19 implied HN points • 05 May 22

🎭️ Culture Education Travel Architecture Lifestyle Urban Studies

Walking through Seoul's campuses feels vibrant and lively. The blend of nature and modern architecture makes it a refreshing experience compared to other cities.
Korean universities often incorporate mountains into their campuses, which adds a unique beauty. This design influences student activities and gives campuses a special charm.
Many people find a strong emotional connection to college campuses. They can represent a time of personal growth and memorable experiences in life.

Street Appeal

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 19 implied HN points • 14 May 21

🎭️ Culture Urban Studies Geology Cycling Architecture History

The history of street materials can be fascinating. For example, some roads in Seattle are made of old sandstone from 40 million years ago.
The Giro d'Italia bike race highlights how different types of stone impact performance, like the slippery San Pietrini cobbles in Italy.
Understanding the types of rocks used in construction can help avoid mistakes when building. Rock types like basalt and travertine have unique qualities that are important.

Bridges of the Cut: Part 2

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 0 implied HN points • 16 Sep 21

🎭️ Culture Architecture History Urban Studies Transportation

The Fremont Bridge has a rich history, having opened in 1917 and being the most frequently opened bridge in the U.S. for boat traffic.
The Aurora Bridge was completed in 1932 and is notable for its height and tragic history, with many people having jumped from it.
Several bridges in the area have undergone significant changes, like the University Bridge, which needed major repairs after catching fire multiple times.