Weekly News Pool: Peak Oil, Planning for Growth, and Reflections on Earth Days Past
A few of this week’s stories from the NewsPool are highlighted below, featuring some different takes on accommodating growth from around the world, as well as a reflection at the closing of the annual American Planning Association (APA) conference. Click on the links for some end-of-week reading!
Earth Day is coming up next week (April 22). This unofficial Earth Day flag is in the public domain.
Perhaps the most surprising piece of planning-related news this week was the US military acknowledgement (finally!) that oil shortages may be on the near horizon. This is sure to lend a greater sense of urgency to planning for a post-peak world.
US military warns oil output may dip causing massive shortages by 2015
Surplus oil production capacity could disappear within a few years, with serious shortages resulting. Political and economic upheaval are predicted, especially for the most oil-dependent countries such as the US.
Planners everywhere are struggling with how to accommodate either population growth or its shadow, contraction:
Shanghai’s Metro, Now World’s Longest, Continues to Grow Quickly as China Invests in Rapid Transit
Thanks in large part to migration from rural China, the city of Shanghai has a population of 19 million people. In response to worsening traffic congestion and air pollution, the local government has long restricted availability of license plates. Now, just 15 years since its inception, Shanghai has the world’s longest metro network – and aggressive plans for its expansion.
STIRing Up the West End
Rapid growth in Vancouver is related to the city’s very expensive real estate market, which effectively excludes developing new rental housing. The municipal Short Term Incentives for Rental (STIR) program is succeeding in facilitating some new construction of rental units, but at what cost to local density and affordability?
When Less Is More: Eastern German Project Provides Hope for Shrinking Cities
North American rust belt cities and resource towns aren’t the only places planning for negative growth. Urban green zones form part of the solution in the former East Germany. Thanks to Regarding Place for pointing out this great article.
Finally, in a contemplative vein, articles from Planetizen and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) consider the overall impacts of city planning on the natural environment. They arrive at rather different conclusions!
Yes, Zoning Still Encourages Sprawl
Restrictive zoning bylaws in built-up areas can encourage sprawl by redirecting compact new developments to greenfield sites.
Contemplating Earth Day at 40: a journey for the environment, from NIMBY to YIMBY
This piece from Kaid Benfield, Director of Washington DC’s Smart Growth Program, reflects on 40 years of Earth Days. He concludes that, while the environmental movement has a history of distrusting urbanity and development, planners take a practical approach to reducing humanity’s footprint on the earth by shaping development.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
