Cities are composed of neighbourhoods. This video introduces 5 basic characteristics of a great neighbourhood that should be considered when planning: (1) an identifiable centre and edge, (2) a walkable size from centre to edge, (3) a mix of land uses, building types, housing types and housing prices, (4) an …
The way we design our public spaces influences our behaviour. For example, a visually attractive and shaded streetscape incentivizes active transportation. In contrast, a gated community discourages outsiders from entering. As planners, we need to be conscious of the subliminal messages sent by our environments, are they helping us meet …
After facing public scrutiny for a feature that promoted racial profiling on its app, Nextdoor has conducted an introspective analysis of its application and adjusting its features. The neighbourhood app recently decided to withdraw its Forward To Police feature, which has been a mainstay since 2016. The feature allowed people …
This video explains why the US police forces resemble military forces - armed with military gear and armoured trucks - and how it affects public perception of the police force. Under the government of President Reagan, the police department started to gain more access to military resources and assistance to …
In 2005, the United Nations stated that Scotland was the most violent developed country. Further, the World Health Organization cited that Glasgow was the murder capital of Europe. Scottish surgeon, Christine Goodall, saw common problems that people face after being released from the hospital, including chronic pain, PTSD, and self-medication …
This video reveals the current state of Brazil during the coronavirus pandemic. With the President’s underestimation of the seriousness of coronavirus and reluctance to apply lockdown measures, people living in poor areas are even more vulnerable than before. In Acari, residents live in overcrowded conditions with poor sanitation and cannot …
With 4.5 Billion euros dedicated to the project, Italy is redeveloping Milan’s World Expo site into a sustainable, post-pandemic technological centre named “MIND Milano Innovation District”. It will include research labs, a science campus and a start-up accelerator. The provision of high-speed rail and Milan’s public transit means the 1 …
The City of Calgary is proposing an 80% tax reduction for up to 15 years for homeowners whose properties are designated as historical heritage sites in order to encourage heritage conservation. Currently, properties with historical value are protected from modification and demolition only when they receive a municipal historic resources …
Starbucks plans to install electric vehicle chargers along a 1,350-mile route from Denver to Seattle. This is to help address the shortage of charging stations for the growing number of electric cars. The United States is expected to have an estimated 26 million electric cars by 2030, around 10 times …
Many cities around the world are already making plans and investments in order to exploit the advent of autonomous vehicles. Singapore made big investments in 2018 towards the new technology, with the hopes of starting to put driverless buses on the street and a fleet of AVs that will sweep …