#4: Anti-Anti-Homeless Architecture Struggles, Housing Policy Shake-Ups, and Buses Boom
Welcome to the fourth issue of Urbanism Now.
With great sadness, we report that parking reform pioneer Donald Shoup died last week at 86. Professor Shoup profoundly influenced approaches to land use, urban mobility, and parking. He was a leading advocate for market-based parking pricing that fluctuates with demand, encouraging drivers to park in less congested areas, reducing the need for excessive parking spaces. Here is some recent coverage featuring his work, including a compilation of his most memorable quotes.
This newsletter is curated by Maria Paula Moreno Vivas and Ray Berger. Learn more on our About page.
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“One Year Ago, Brazil Banned Hostile Architecture. Easier Said Than Done.”
Spain proposed a 100% tax on homes bought by non-EU residents to address the country's housing crisis.
Massachusetts now permits accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by-right statewide.
Ukraine is preparing to reform its social housing system, supported by part of a €50 billion aid allotment from the EU,under the Ukraine Facility program.
Studio Tim Fu demonstrated UrbanGPT, a prototype tool that merges OpenAI's ChatGPT with Grasshopper for real-time text-to-3D urban design.
Learn the latest mobility lingo with “15 Key Terms Redefining Urban Mobility Today.”
Colombia's capital observed another car-free day last Thursday, continuing a two-decade tradition that has seen the city hold more than 25 such events since 2000. Carlos Felipe Pardo shared an aerial video of a cyclist riding through one of the city's main avenues, showcasing the streets free of cars.
In buses this week:
Paris has deployed its 1,000th electric bus, aiming to fully phase out diesel buses by early 2025.
Mexico is getting the world's first 26-meter all-electric double-articulated bus.
Boston’s transportation authority is overhauling its bus network, and Liam Beretsky-Jewell analyzes the redesign.
The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy has released an infographic outlining the basics of Bus Rapid Transit, accompanied by a new course on the subject.
Videos, podcasts, and books:
On the topic of buses: A founder of the Montclair Bike Bus, which brings over 400 kids to school weekly, was interviewed on the Active Towns podcast about how it started.
YouTuber Not Just Bikes highlighted the advantages of klinker (Dutch brick) streets in a recent video, noting they often look better after minor repairs compared to patchy asphalt fixes.
This week, we finished reading “Beautiful Solutions: A Toolbox for Liberation.” While not explicitly focused on urban issues, the book offers a wide range of ideas to empower city residents, including remunicipalization, community land trusts, and mutual aid finance.
Jobs:
The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) is hiring a research consultant to support urban resilience initiatives in low- and middle-income countries, including India and South Africa. Fully remote, although must be in Europe, Africa, or Asia. Apply by Feb. 15.
Ghent University’s Center for Mobility and Spatial Planning (AMRP) is hiring a PhD researcher to explore critical topics in spatial planning and mobility transitions. Apply by Feb. 18.
The University of Glasgow is hiring a research associate for a Leverhulme-funded project, Democratic Localism and Global Policy Mobility. £40,247+ salary. Apply by Feb. 20.
MIT’s Sustainable Urbanization Lab is hiring a postdoctoral associate to work with Professor Siqi Zheng on urban and real estate resilience for climate transition and physical risks. Visa sponsorship available
The San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR) is seeking a planning and housing policy director to lead its land use and housing policy initiatives. The role will focus on downtown revitalization, housing construction policy, and anti-displacement strategies. $140,000 salary.
Events and deadlines:
MIT is hosting a free webinar, “Smart Cities and Urban Development,” featuring groundbreaking research from MIT’s Senseable City Lab. The event will explore innovative tools and strategies for sustainable urban environments, including the Urban Network Analysis framework for pedestrian-scale mobility planning. Feb. 13.
The National Bankers Association is hosting a free book launch of "The Banks We Deserve," featuring journalist Oscar Perry Abello and his groundbreaking work on community banking's role in social change. Feb. 13.
Urbanist Gil Penalosa is hosting his next free webinar, “School Streets: Enhancing Neighborhoods in Paris & Barcelona,” featuring Priscilla Benedetti (City of Paris) and Jordi Honey-Rosés (City Lab Barcelona). The event will explore transformative school street programs like Barcelona’s Protegim les Escoles and Paris’ Rues aux Enfants on Feb. 18.
Ross O’Ceallaigh, host of the Green Urbanist podcast, is hosting a free interactive workshop, “Climate Action for Built Environment Professionals,” guiding architects and urban planners on leveraging their strengths for meaningful climate change action. It will take place online on Feb. 19.
The Latin American Dictionary of Urban Mobility is calling for contributions from academics, planners, practitioners, activists, and experts to document and analyze urban mobility challenges in the region. The project aims to foster collaboration and share knowledge on sustainability, accessibility, and social inclusion in Latin American cities. Submissions are open until Mar. 10.
The Cycling Embassy of Denmark is seeking participants for its upcoming Bikeable City Masterclass. This program is designed for urban planners, decision makers, and advocates who are passionate about promoting cycling and improving conditions for cyclists in their communities. It will take place May 12-16.
What did you love? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments below.
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Colorful houses in Valencia, Spain. Source: Joaquin Carfagna