Henry Melcher reports on a humorous response to the new renderings revealed for the future 2 WTC tower (also the future home of 21st Century Fox and News Corp), designed by Bjarke Ingels Group.
As the obviously biggest news story of the week from the world of architecture and design, the renderings of the new design for 2 WTC attracted a lot of attention, including that of a Change.org petitioner by the name of Caragh Poh, who sees the design as a potential "staircase for monsters." The petition, which as of this writing had been signed by 33 supporters, asks Bjarke Ingels the following: "Please do not make buildings that only make it easier for King Kong to climb."
Henry Melcher, who interviewed Ingels earlier in the week, says The Architect's Newspaper "failed" to ask the architect about the King Kong-friendly format of the skyscraper.
Melcher also notes that Bjarke Ingels dressed as King Kong for Halloween back in 2011, so maybe, just maybe (OK, probably not) providing a comfortable place for King Kong to frolic was Ingels's plan all along.
FULL STORY: BJARKE INGELS MUM ON WHETHER TWO WORLD TRADE IS A STAIRCASE FOR KING KONG

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.

Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.

San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service