Newsroom

Apr 29, 2011

President Obama wants to double America’s exports over the next few years. Given our massive trade deficit that’s probably a good goal. However there’s one thing we shouldn’t attempt to export: bad planning.

Apr 27, 2011

When most people think of green buildings they envision slick new buildings such as the National Association of Realtors building near Capitol Hill. Others might imagine more specific features like composting toilets and passive heating which can be found at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation headquarters. However some of the most sustainable green buildings bear few of these more glamorous green building hallmarks (advanced window glazing and shade louvers for example).

Apr 26, 2011

There is a vein of criticism of the urban planning field which argues that planners should get out of the way and stop trying to make people conform to what they perceive as the best land-use and transportation policies (i.e. mixed-use sustainable development near transit).

Apr 22, 2011

As Europe continues to innovate in the high-speed rail sector building ever quicker and more sustainable trains and prioritizing high-speed rail as the preferred method of travel across the continent the U.S. continues to stumble along with insufficient investment and low prioritization.

Apr 21, 2011

Christopher Leinberger planning guru and author of The Option of Urbanism: Investing in a New American Dream has a great post over at The New Republic taking aim at what he sees as a sometimes artificial divide between city and suburb . The key word is “sometimes.”

Apr 20, 2011

Last week MWCOG released a report on LEED certified green building from 2003 through 2009 in metro Washington. The report Green Building Trends demonstrates that LEED the U.S. Green Building Council’s voluntary certification program has had a significant impact upon the region’s long term sustainability by encouraging energy efficient and locationally efficient buildings.

Apr 19, 2011

Ken Archer has a very interesting post over at Greater Greater Washington on the need to bridge the gap between longtime residents of the District living in established lower-income neighborhoods and a growing group he refers to as “hipster urbanists” (in which he includes himself). The post is lengthy but well worth a read.

Apr 18, 2011

Metropolitan Washington like any major metro area depends upon the continuous and efficient movement of goods. Our grocery stores offices schools and hospitals are all supplied by daily freight deliveries while many of our major companies use freight transportation to get their products to customers. As the region’s economy grows so too does the demand for more and more goods. Freight transportation is increasingly relied upon to move these goods.

Apr 15, 2011

Responding to reports of burglary. Providing emergency medical care. Fighting fires. Metropolitan Washington’s police fire and rescue personnel run into danger when everyone else is running out their own safety often an afterthought to the mission at hand.

Apr 15, 2011

A French architecture collective et alors has put together a vision of a sustainable City of Lights in 2100. It’s impressive .