ODAC Newsletter – Nov 21
A digest of news and commentary from a UK peak oil perspective
Urban Design
Solutions & sustainability – Nov 19
Poverty an asset; assets a burden
The Guardian’s sustainability vision
New York City streets: Utilitarian corridors or livable public space (YouTube)
NY City: On the street – clear sailing (slideshow with audio)
‘One planet’ pledge for Wales
Transport & urban design – Nov 15
A resilient suburbia? 2: cost of commuting
European support for bicycles promotes sharing of the wheels
Congestion pricing: Can tolling be fair?
Infrastructure planning ignores peak oil: ASPO-Australia
Housing & urban design – Nov 11
How design must change in a warming, oil-scarce world
Urban design revolution in Philadelphia!
Edmonton to develop strategy reducing energy consumption
Green spaces promote good health, says study
Transport – Nov 10
UK traffic levels fall for first time in decades: Motor firms head for crash
GM staring into abyss as industry seeks help
End of suburbia – Australia-style
At specialty garage, woman makes hybrids even greener
Michigan hosts state-focused peak oil conference
Michigan’s third peak oil conference of 2008 focuses on the specific challenges and solutions for Michigan and features 45 speakers including Richard Heinberg, Albert Bates, Michael Brownlee, Ellen Hodgeson Brown, Richard Gilbert, Stephanie Mills, Kurt Cobb, and Aaron Wissner. The event is schedule for the November 14 weekend.
Housing & urban design – Nov 5
Efficiency’s Mark: City Glitters a Little Less
All the comforts of a teeny-tiny home
Retrofits for All!
A resilient suburbia? Part 1 : sunk cost & credit markets
Many argue that suburbia was a terrible idea—a giant waste of land, capital, and culture. I largely agree. But there you have it: suburbia happened, with no refund available. It is time for the discussion to shift from “suburbia sucks” to “what are we going to do about it?”
Transportation & housing – Nov 3
Electrification of transportation (Alan Drake interview)
Global pile-up ahead as US auto industry loses its drive
As temperatures rise, is there a future for movable homes?
Spooky eco house: the Dragspelhuset accordion house
Solutions & sustainability – Nov 3
The Austerity Issue: don’t panic (housewives to the rescue in Post-War Britain)
Guardians of the past uncover green lessons for the present (UK heritage)
Portland sustainability, personal responsibility and the prospect for oil’s full return
Oregon Public Health to planners: ‘human health simply cannot be sustained in an unhealthy environment’
Letter to Oregon Department of Planning and Development: “There is a dangerous disconnect between land use planning and development on one hand and population-based health on the other that can be remedied by recognizing and utilizing the specialized expertise Public Health provides. … Biology dictates that human health simply cannot be sustained in an unhealthy environment, and the use of our land – in urban, suburban, exurban, rural and frontier settings alike – is one of the most powerful determinants of our environmental health.” (Comment from a planner: “challenging comments… I’ve never seen anything like it before.”)
Solutions & sustainability – Oct 31
Follow Cuba’s emissions standard
Sustenance for sustainability
Guardians of the past uncover green lessons for the present
The Most Radical Thing You Can Do
