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Can L.A. Go Solar?
Planetizen - Urban Planning, Design and Development Network
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has an ambitious plan to get L.A. to go solar. Still, without a proper financial analysis, skeptics find it too lofty to be true.
The Problem of Less Driving
Planetizen - Urban Planning, Design and Development Network
This year, oil prices in America rose to heights drivers had never seen. So they cut back on driving. But that reduction is now causing oil prices to fall back down, and many say drivers will soon revert to old habits.
ACLU Takes RLUIPA Case in Pennsylvania
Planetizen - Urban Planning, Design and Development Network
Evangelical pastor Rev. Jack L. Wisor was giving shelter to four homeless people in his church in downtown Brookville, PA. When he was ordered to move them on a zoning violation, Wisor - and the ACLU - sued the city.
London Mayor Cuts Cycling Funds
Planetizen - Urban Planning, Design and Development Network
London mayor Boris Johnson is facing backlash for withdrawing money from bike route funds to rephase traffic lights, among other things. The move is less than effective for making London a “true cycling city,” say critics.
Why Infrastructure Spending isn’t Always the Answer
Planetizen - Urban Planning, Design and Development Network
China’s stimulus plan is aimed at funding more of what the country already has enough of: infrastructure. What’s needed is social spending and for citizens to have more of a stake in the economy, argues Zhiwu Chen.
An Almost Insignificant Observation… Bus Quality?
I’ve read, heard, and seen complaints of various sorts about old buses that are still used in Transit Authorities around the country. In general I’ve seen a lot of these beat up old buses and am mixed in thought. On one hand I’m super happy that they use these things and get their monies worth out of them. On the other hand I can’t help but think how cheap we Americans area.
Today while riding to brunch from Division to Mississippi on the #4 I noticed something odd. It was something that no one in the auto industry would accept. It was something that wouldn’t even have gotten out the door of one of those backwards archaic GM factories with all their draconian operations. I was almost aghast at this small and insignificant observation I had just made. But if this small and insignificant thing was able to get by, what does it say about the quality of transit and the manufacturing of transit in the United States?
What was this small and insignificant thing? There were bubbles in the tint on the windows that had filled with water! Yup, that’s my rant of the day. Just felt the odd impulse to write something about this, but have to admit, yup yup yup yup this is a rather insignificant and pointless entry. It does however bring bearing to the point that I often make, that private contracts done for public entity are not much higher quality. If you want the best of the best, you have to have private, motivated, driven entities working for other private, motivated, driven entities. Otherwise, why would anyone ever care?
…well, evidence points to the fact that people generally don’t when it because a collapse of the commons. 
On a totally positive note. The #4 Division was on time, transitioned to the #4 Fessenden flawlessly and we departed and arrived from downtown on time. From there we headed up to Mississippi Street and I arrived at my location on time. Thanks for a good ride TriMet! Amid all my fussing you guys (and gals) rock! Keep up the good work.
