Looking past the sea of U.S. elections coverage, we found that Covid's effect on city planning and transportation was a big topic in October. Here are the articles we found most insightful.
LET’S JUST WALK
More telecommuting won't necessarily reduce transport emissions, according to academic researchers Hannah Budnitz, Emmanouil Tranos and Lee Chapman. Although telecommuters travel to work less frequently, a survey showed they have a tendency to travel more often for errands and other reasons. Plus, they travel farther when they do go into the office, a trend that's increasing as people move from Covid-stricken cities to the suburbs. The authors suggest the "15-minute city" plan championed by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo should be taken up for the suburbs as well to allow residents to access all their basic needs within a short walk from home. "If increased telecommuting and reduced transport emissions is to be a silver lining of the pandemic, then our research shows that transport and land use planners need to focus more on ensuring schools, shops, parks and community and leisure centers are accessible by foot or bike for locals," they wrote.
On The Conversation (700 words)
A Telework Transition Won't Slash Emissions Unless We Make Car-Free Lifestyles Viable
SLOW CURVE AHEAD
Stockholm Mayor Anna Konig Jerlmyr and MIT professor Carlo Ratti suggested the same strategy used to avoid overcrowding hospitals with Covid patients should be used more broadly to address automobile traffic. With more people telecommuting and working flexible schedules, we have the ability to "flatten the curve" of peak rush hours and halt roadway expansions. Cities would likely need to incentivize those who can shift their travel times, but should avoid a regressive tax on those who cannot. "In the case of congestion taxes, people could receive discounts based on disability, profession or socio-economic status." she wrote. "Revenue could help reduce public transport prices and subsidize fossil fuel-free cars."
In The Financial Times (700 words)
'Flatten the Curve’ of Traffic to Make Cities Liveable
PLAYING ZONE DEFENSE
Cities must play an active role in protecting their futures, according to an article by Amanda Loudin. She surveyed six business and research leaders on the tactical steps that can be taken to help downtown districts recover from empty offices, restaurants, venues and retail spaces. In addition to supporting small businesses with loans, International Downtown Association (IDA) President and CEO David Downey said cities should be flexible with policies. “Small changes to codes is often all it takes to salvage a bad situation,” he said. "Cities have demonstrated they can go in with a light touch, instead of making a permanent change, and be effective."
On Smart Cities Dive (1,500 words)
Death of the Downtown: How Cities Can Rebuild Using 'Tactical Urbanism'
DON’T FLATTER YOURSELF
The first guideline editors give when you ask about submitting an article is that it can’t be self-promotional. Figuring out how to talk about ideas, without focusing on products, services or research is difficult for some people. But there are four different approaches to staying modest in your thought leadership.
From New Growth Communications
Thought Leadership and the Danger of Self-Promotion
Free Download For You (PDF)
21 Green Building Publications That Want Your Articles
Includes descriptions, rankings and tips on submission
RESOURCES
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) published a Women in the Workplace survey showing women across the industry are facing historic challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.
The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) published a “crosswalk” document showing how elements of the Living Building Challenge Certification can be used to validate U.N Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Fifth Estate published Flick the Switch, an ebook guide to achieving net zero, all-electric buildings and cities.
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) published its annual Solar Means Business report tracking U.S. corporate investments in solar power.
Owl Labs published The State of Remote Work report on how employees across the US feel about working remotely in a post-COVID-19 world.
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Please take care of yourself and your neighbors.
Bart King
