World
Global issues, U.N., etc.
Virtual Real Estate Boom
Virtual property invester who bought a virtual island existing only within an online computer game has recouped his investment by selling virtual land and collecting taxes for mining and hunting.
Best Cities In Europe To Locate A Business
Cushman & Wakefield Healey & Baker publishes its annual list and 36-page report of top European cities for business expansion. Leading the list are London and Paris.
How To 'Fix' Smart Growth Financing
New research reassesses the current methods for smart growth finance and offers two different 'fixes' for the problem of financing smart growth.
Is Sprawl Universal?
Witold Rybczynski reviews Robert Bruegmann's new book, Sprawl: A Compact History.
Interview: Simmons -- The Coming Saudi Oil Shock
This well-connected industry insider has concluded that some of the world's largest oil beds may be on the verge of production collapse -- and he's willing to bet his much-vaunted career on it.
Innovative Emergency Shelter Built From Plastic Tubes, Debris
Inspired by ancient structures, an architect's innovative design for an emergency shelter is adapted by the International Rescue Committee to house survivors of the South Asia quake that is estimated to have left 3.3 million homeless.
Christopher Alexander: The Nature Of Order -- In 4 Volumes
Christopher Alexander's new series of books, 'The Nature Of Order', explores the patterns of how culture and learning dictate the architecture of buildings and community. But beware: it's very, very long.
The Desert House: The Latest In Steel Prefab Homes
FabPreFab magazine interviews the architects at Marmol Radziner Prefab about their new steel homes product line, called The Desert House. [Includees photos]
Book Review: Lessons From The 1906 San Francisco Quake?
'A Crack in the Edge of the World' by Simon Winchester, has a few nuggets of interest, but is 'filled with enough geological minutiae to fell James Michener.'
Wal-Mart Promotes Environmental Sustainability
Wal-Mart CEO announces that the world's largest retailer will hold its suppliers responsible for higher environmental and labor standards.
Personal Rapid Transit For Heathrow Airport, Dubai Financial Center
Heathrow Airport and Dubai Financial Center are moving forward on robotic vehicle transit technology called personal rapid transit (PRT) with the aim of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
World's Longest Suspension Bridge
Italy selects a firm to build the $5.3 billion contract to build the world's longest suspension bridge, link Sicily to the mainland.
Facing Environmental Issues in World's Megacities
Jakarta, Dhaka, Lagos, Mumbai, Tokyo and Mexico City are among the world's megacities that are face major environmental and social challenges.
Book Review: Deep Water
A new book, Deep Water, sheds light on the drama of dams.
Saving The Climate Must Begin In Cities
Cities account for 75% of the world's enegry use. A few successful strategies to reduce emissions could cause massive changes in the environment.
Amphibious Houses And The First Floating Town
The Dutch are gearing up for climate change with amphibious houses. If rivers rise above their banks, the houses simply float higher.
Why Bright Lights Are Important To The City
Why do lights gives a city its buzz? Is a neon renaissance afoot?
Was The Gulf Coast A Result Of Global Warming?
While it may be tempting to blame hurricanes Katrina and Rita on global warming, an MIT climatologist says that it's wrong to blame any single event on long-term climate change. However, the power of tropical storms is increasing.
Key Ingredients for the World's Tallest Skyscrapers
ArchNewsNow features an interview with Ron Klemencic, Chairman of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, on the characteristics of a successful skyscraper project.
Local Dining Could Help The Environment
The farther food travels, the more greenhouse gas emissions it generates -- a fact which concerns some environmentalists.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
