'Most of the nearly 300 acres of Boston's city parks that Big Dig officials promised to win support for the massive project are not finished and many are not scheduled to be done until after the roadway project is completed next year.'
Delays in the construction of the parks that are part of the Big Dig have raised concerns that "the public spaces could be neglected or forgotten altogether." In order to obtain environmental permits for the Big Dig, "officials agreed to create parks, landscaped open space, and other public areas at a cost of $300 million....Big Dig officials have pushed some of the completion dates to 2006....Many of the projects involve difficult land transactions and design issues that require diligent oversight if they are to become reality, these advocates say."
Thanks to Connie Chung
FULL STORY: Big Dig's parks projects facing delays
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.
California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.
HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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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.
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