A scandal is unfolding in Tokyo as 57 buildings are identified as likely to fail in a moderate earthquake.
" 'The credibility of the entire [buildings] system is on the rocks,' said Construction and Transport Minister Kazuo Kitagawa...
To date, officials have identified 57 buildings with deliberately underdesigned seismic resistance, all with fraudulent documentation. Many could not withstand a moderate quake, say government officials, who are scrambling to provide housing for 2,200 families who have to vacate condemned condominiums. More than a dozen hotels have closed. And government officials and engineers are working their way through 200 buildings with structures by Hidetsugu Aneha, the disgraced architect at the center of the scandal."
FULL STORY: Tokyo Scandal Grows over Faulty Towers
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.
Minneapolis Bans Rent-Setting Software
Four cities have enacted restrictions on algorithmic software that can inflate rent costs.
Oakland to Add 244 New EV Chargers
Oakland plans to launch its new charging network at eight locations by the end of 2025.
Jane Goodall Inspires with Message of Hope, Resilience, and Environmental Action
Speaking in Pasadena, Jane Goodall offered a hopeful and inspirational message, urging global compassion, environmental responsibility, and the power of individual action to shape a better future.
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.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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