Vietnam's capital is internationally known for pollution and traffic, the government is trying to take on both with a rapid transit bus system, but many remain skeptical.

In the fast-growing city of Hanoi, more people has meant more traffic and more pollution. "Hanoi’s PM2.5 levels typically range from 100 to 200 micrograms per cubic metre – regularly within the globally acknowledged 'unhealthy' category. But on 19 December last year, they hit “hazardous levels" at 343μg/m3, which was higher than Beijing," reports Zung Nguyen in The Guardian.
The city has looked to address those challenges, in part, by launching a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system on the last day of 2016. With dedicated bus lanes not open to cars or the city's plentiful motorcycle commuters, "[m]any are angry that the BRT’s exclusive lane takes up almost half of some roads, exacerbating congestion for other motorbikes and cars," Nguyen writes. The success or failure of the system will depend on how widely adopted it is and, while the early numbers of riders are growing, some worry that they won't grow fast enough to make a dent in either the traffic or the pollution problem.
FULL STORY: Hope for Hanoi? New bus system could cut pollution … if enough people use it

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.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

Colorado Lawmakers Move to Protect BRT Funding
In the face of potential federal funding cuts, CDOT leaders reasserted their commitment to planned bus rapid transit projects.

Safe Streets Funding in Jeopardy
The Trump administration is specifically targeting bike infrastructure and other road safety projects in its funding cuts.

Six Reasons Why Housing Is a Human Right
Is housing a human right? A law professor shares six reasons why it should be, from its role in protecting other rights to global recognition and U.S. legal traditions. As public support grows, could housing be the next right written into law?
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