Technology

Some of the most popular apps - from Google Maps to Yelp - let you take the guesswork out of planning your urban agenda. But for those that still want to experience the delight of spontaneous discovery, a new generation of app will help you get lost.

January 10, 2013 - POLIS

Ever been startled by a Prius silently sneaking up behind you? Those days may soon fade in the rear view mirror if U.S. Department of Transportation proposals for minimum sound requirements on hybrid and electric vehicles are approved.

January 9, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Tom Vanderbilt discusses the development of D.C.'s Capital Bikeshare program - the nation’s largest, most successful bike-share service - which "was essentially born late one night, two decades ago, in a library."

January 8, 2013 - Jonathan Nettler

Even as the world (unsuccessfully) tries to formulate a treaty to get nations to reduce their carbon emissions, researchers indicate it may be too late - the tipping point may have been reached. But what if CO2 could be extracted from the air?

January 8, 2013 - The New York Times - Novelties

A new app from the nonprofit Sunlight Foundation culls publicly available information to give you a graphically pleasing "cultural and demographic snapshot of your surroundings," writes Ariel Schwartz.

January 8, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

In her news article and blog, Rebecca Smith examines the reduction in electricity consumption in the U.S. - the causes and how utilities have reacted to remain profitable.

January 7, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

With bicycling growing in popularity while driving decreases, should a city install "bicycle-specific traffic signals"? Mary Ebeling of State Smart Transportation Initiatives provides guidance and helpful designs from city transportation officials.

January 6, 2013 - The State Smart Transportation Initiative

Like a lot of people, Placeshakers is kicking off the new year with a list: placemaking wishes for 2013. Read on for seven trending ideas they hope break large.

January 4, 2013 - PlaceShakers

BART's Oakland Airport Connector will not look at all like the familiar cable car found across the Bay, but will be propelled by a moving cable similar to the Clay Street Hill RR in S.F. almost 140 years ago. The 3-mile ride to OAK will be 8 minutes.

January 3, 2013 - San Francisco Chronicle

We've known for decades the better ways to do things, for greater urban health, sustainability, resiliency, vibrancy and economic success. So this year, let's resolve to have the will and skill to get past the short-term politics, the rhetoric, the market momentum, and the financial self-interest that has kept our better solutions from being realized.

December 31, 2012 - Brent Toderian

From guerrilla wayfinding to future-tising, these are my top five, perhaps lesser known, highlights of a banner year for Tactical Urbanism.

December 30, 2012 - Mike Lydon

What do you get for the smart city that thinks it has everything? Lauren Drell lists the 25 technologies every smart city should have.

December 30, 2012 - Mashable

Friday marked a milestone in the effort to bridge the gap between NYC's century-old subway system and emerging technologies; "a leap forward for a service that has lagged behind its peers both at home and abroad in adopting new technologies."

December 29, 2012 - The Wall Street Journal

Of the thousands of historic homes across the country, many are seeing steep declines in visitors, reports J. Freedom du Lac. Consolidation and new technologies, such as smartphone apps, may be the best alternatives to closing doors.

December 29, 2012 - The Washington Post

Researchers at the University of Chicago are tackling a problem that is confronting the globe's biggest cities: how to turn the reams of data being collected and opened to the public and turn it into actionable information for decision-makers.

December 27, 2012 - DNAinfo.com Chicago

Can 250 high-def, touch-screen kiosks make New York City more user-friendly, personalized and safe?

December 26, 2012 - The Citistates Group

Parking enforcers, not motorists in search of available parking, may be the main beneficiaries of 'smart parking' technology as they have the ability to immediately spot parking spaces where vehicles have overstayed their time limits and by how long.

December 26, 2012 - The New York Times - Business Day - Technology

Might your car one day serve as a mobile doctor's office? If research into biometric monitoring being conducted by carmakers comes to fruition, your car may soon be able to tracks your stress and blood sugar levels, and more, reports Bob Moon.

December 25, 2012 - American Public Media: Marketplace

The design for a new bridge that will carry the extension of LA’s Metro Rail Gold Line over the eastbound lanes of the I-210 Freeway is "energizing" the San Gabriel Valley with its melding of art with infrastructure.

December 23, 2012 - A|N Blog

The "Best of" roll continues with Emily Badger's list of the most useful tools, maps and data visualizations to make use of municipal open data over the past year.

December 19, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities