Cisco is promoting a concept called "Connected Urban Development" in partnership with cities to cut traffic congestion and reduce C02 by deploying innovative connected network solutions.  The program initially involved three pilot cities: San Francisco, Amsterdam and Seoul. According to the Financial Times, "these were selected because each… more

A new survey by the Pew Research Center finds that "One of the major impacts of the internet and cell phones is that they have enabled more people to do work at least occasionally from home. Some 45% of employed Americans report doing at least some work from home… more

I was in Seattle this week to open the Design for Livability forum. One of its sponsors was the Cascade Land Conservancy, Washington’s largest independent land conservation and stewardship organization.  What makes CLC so exciting is that it connects preservation of natural… more

The homeless of Seattle (and a lot more of their "adovcates") were moved from their high profile pink tent camp today.  The arrests were without fanfare, although its organizers complain that their property is "presumably destroyed" and that the city should have been willing to provide land for… more

Channeling Atlantic Monthly's Megan McArdle, Wendy Waters asks the provocative question, is Congress bailing out surburbia with its plan? 

Just checking out some terrific reports from the great Mark Stern and Susan Seifert who lead Social Impact of the Arts Project, a research center at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice.

Monocle has published its own list of "Dream Team" candidates for positions in the next Administration.  Here are some of its picks I particularly like:

Steve Jobs as Innovation Director... because "one of the greatest threats to the national security of the US has nothing to do with cave-dwellers… more

I travel.  A lot.  And there are so many small, unneccessary travel hassles that could be corrected or avoided if these companies would just adopt a user-centered approach.  For instance, last night, after an hour and a half delay thanks to mechanical and weather issues, I sat down in seat… more

The intersection of art and nature will be the subject of what looks to be a very cool conference in Reno, Nevada, October 2-4. I love this invitation:

Global interest in the intersections of nature and culture has broadened in recent years. In this expanding field, contemporary… more

Good for Detroit's suburban mayors.  They are launching an experimental venture called Millennial Mayors Congress, in which mayors and emerging civic leaders will collaboratively develop action-oriented solutions to regional challenges.  If it works, promoters believe it could break some serious SE Michigan barriers: increasing the access that young(ish) people have… more

That's the theme of the 2008 International Urban Parks Conference that begins today in Pittsburgh. I'll be speaking briefly on a panel tomorrow with Trust for Public Land President Will Rogers, New York's Director of the Mayor's Office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability Rohit Aggarwala and Brookings VP and… more

Our colleague Joe Cortright has been working in Copenhagen where they hope to emulate our CityVitals work.  Joe emailed us from there:

"The irony of course is that the cities work spectacularly well, and the
economies are functioning at a much higher standard, with… more

Love these photos.

Karrie Jacobs, who writes for Metropolis, has a great photo on her blog with this caption:  In front of the WWII Memorial in downtown Brooklyn, city dwellers play with their children just like suburbanites and exurbanites. Those of us who live in cities are authentic Americans, too.

I can… more

By a surprising 6-3 margin Thursday night,  Milwaukee School Board members voted in favor of exploring the dissolving of Milwaukee Public Schools, which is under financial pressure.  The vote sets up a study for state takeover -- and full funding -- of the school district.  School officials are… more

News of two new high speed rail projects just landed in my Inbox from Midwest High Speed Rail Association.

Air France-KLM confirms high speed rail discussions

FRANCE: Speaking at the opening of Terminal 2G at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport on September 9, Air France-KLM President Jean-Cyril Spinetta confirmed that the airline… more

The City of Chicago is attempting to get citizens involved in its plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by offering the $800 challenge.  The challenge lists 13 things people can to to save money while improving the environment.  The full checklist and plan are available here.

Is one more Lowe's worth it?  Miami-Dade commissioners have overridden a veto by Mayor Carlos Alvarez of their decision to ignore the urban development boundary and approve a Lowe's beyond the buffer that stands between developed Dade County and the Everglades.  Now the state has entered the fray,… more

Need tips on recruiting millennials?  Try the U.S. Army.  Here's a new report on the topic.

Today I had a chance to speak to a couple of people at TeachNola, the New Teacher Project in New Orleans whose job it is to recruit seasoned people -- not necessarily those with teacing background -- to the city post-Katrina.  Clearly, it is the strong sense of… more

Writing in today's Boston Globe, James A. Peyser, a partner with NewSchools Venture Fund, questions why so many talented educators, specifically those who have founded and led wildly successful charter schools, are leaving Boston for New York. He points out that while the city would be up in… more

I spoke with Richard Florida a couple of weeks ago about his books and his ideas.  A few excerpts:

"From a public policy point of view, we had better figure out how we're going to cope with an increasingly unequal world -- the rising gap between rich and poor,… more

How's this for a clever way to bring people together, while at the same time making it easier to choose bicycling as a way to get around?  The fantastic premise behind this elegant design is to get people to interact while securing and servicing their… more

This is just too cool:  High-production value MP3 walking tours for Hong Kong, Shanghai and Bejing done by Louis Vuitton.  This idea has all kinds of potential for cities to amplify their vibe, history and brand.  I'm picturing a public/private website with scores of downloadable… more

For telecommuters, working at home is isolating, and Starbucks isn't cutting it for doing real business.  "Sometimes that's great, but if you're on a business call and the cappuccino machine goes off in the background, it can be a distraction," says Jeff Kubarych, a co-founder of Soundview Coworking.  There are many business… more

Convenience sounds like such a mundane benefit.  We associate it with fast food, the corner 7-11, the Pot Belly across the street. It may be a compromise in terms of quality or variety, but at least it's convenience.

So it has been interesting to have two recent Smart City… more

SPUR, the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association, has a new study out on Clean Tech and the opportunities it presents to the Bay Area.  With all the talk of green collar jobs as economic savior, it's good to see a clear analysis on the industry and its potential. … more

Nice collection of stories in this New York Times article about the gentrification of Harlem, with perspectives ranging from happy integration to fear Harlem losing its character.  I particularly like the viewpoint of one resident who takes the confrontational attitude of his neighbors as an invitation to talk about… more

The City of Chicago has led the way in the U.S. on leasing public facilities to private interests in exchange for big money. The latest municipal asset to go on the privatization block is Midway Airport, expected to be a 99-year deal.  Bids are due within a month, but given… more

Much has been written about regionalism and our "metro nation" lately.  But there is little evidence that local governments, even within a metro area, can cooperate on the big issues.  One organization stands in stark contrast to business as usual -- the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus of Chicagoland.

I was reminded… more

As I was headed to meet the Innovation team at the City of Chicago today at lunch, I encountered one of those wonderful urban delights.  On Daley Plaza with the Picasso as background, a deejay was spinning smooth sounds for a group of spontaneous dancers surrounded by hundreds of surprised… more

Gustav won't help, but nonprofit leaders in New Orleans are attempting to turn the march of young adults into the city a permanent settlement.  A dozen nonprofit and business groups are starting 504ward: New Orleans Calling.  The three-year campaign will include a Web site with job listings and other… more

New York is all about what could be -- the potential, the possibilities.  But trying to make it in New York is also expensive and frsutrating.  As Adam Sternbergh writes in New York mag, "New York requires of these dreamers that they puruse two simultaneous lives: the romantic, invigorating,… more