The development of a new high-rise structural system may revolutionize how building is done in earthquake-prone areas.
A consortium of experts has developed a new structural system. The precast hybrid movement resistant frame, also known as the hybrid frame, will accomodate high-rise buildings during earthquakes, reducing damage to negligible levels. The frame focuses on joints which combine elastic and inelastic action, allowing the building to accomodate the motion of a quake and avoid the residual drift or building lean most structures suffer after a quake. Approved by the Uniform Building Code, the hybrid frame is relatively inexpensive to implement and is already being used in a new 39-story building under construction in San Francisco.
Thanks to Laura Krafft

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research