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The Planetizen News Brief

3 March 2008 - 9:00am
Smart City Radio

The Planetizen News Brief is a weekly rundown of some of the most interesting and important news and issues of the past week.

The Planetizen News Brief airs every week on the nationally-syndicated radio program "Smart City", which is broadcast in cities across the U.S. Learn more about Smart City and listen to archived shows.

Full Transcript

You’ve probably heard the phrase "drive to qualify", referring to the long distances people have to travel from where they work to find affordable housing. But now in some areas, that definition is taking an unexpected turn. A recent article from The New York Times looks at the rise of the reverse commuter, those people who live in the city but commute to work in the suburbs. There are about 300,000 reverse commuters in New York City, traveling hours out of town every day against the flow of most commuters. Planners and economists in these suburban areas are trying to attract these reverse commuters as a way to boost their local economies, offering incentives to encourage people to brave the long commutes to those jobs.

Meanwhile, Austin, Texas, received some good news recently when the results of an economic impact report revealed that the city stands to take in nearly $100 million as a result of the city’s upcoming music, film and interactive media conference South by Southwest. The conference and festival attracts musicians, filmmakers, performers and fans from all across the country, bringing thousands of musical acts and tens of thousands of spectators. The Austin American-Statesman reports that the festival’s expected $95 million impact on the city will be more than double what it was last year. Aside from the direct revenue received by the city, the conference and festival is expected to pull in nearly $13 million in media attention. City officials are highly looking forward to what is expected to be the conference’s best year yet.

And finally, in Lagos, Nigeria, public officials are set to unveil the first leg of a bus rapid transit system for the congested and densely populated African capital city. Referred to as the New York of Africa, Lagos is packed with millions of residents and its streets are flooded with people, cars, bikes, motorcycles and animals. Officials are hoping this new bus rapid transit system will help alleviate some of the city’s thick congestion. The system is set to open in the middle of March and will run partly on physically separated lanes. The system is starting out with a fleet of 126 buses, a number many expect to fall way short of demand. Because of its limited extent many in Lagos are calling the new system simply BRT Lite.

Stories discussed in this week's Planetizen News Brief

The Rise of the 'Reverse Commuter'

Nearly $100 Million Expected From Music Conference and Festival

BRT 'Lite' To Open in Nigeria

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