Posts from December 2019
-
Lawns are green—they’re also terrible for the environment
I made my childhood fortune pulling dandelions. My father saw dandelions as the scourge of his beautiful green lawn. He paid two cents per pulled dandelion, provided the roots came up, too. I had job security because the neighbors let their dandelions go to seed, assuring that there would always be more dandelions for me to pull. Keep reading…
-
Breakfast links: This new app puts street safety in users’ hands
This app allows users to report road safety violations in DC. Check out this beautiful bus stop in Howard County. Maryland and DC among a group aiming to cut car emissions. Keep reading…
-
Greatest Greatest Hits: Your favorite articles of 2019
As we close out 2019, I want to thank you all sincerely for reading, commenting, sending tips, sharing our pieces, and otherwise supporting the publication. This past year, we sharpened our focus on sustainability and equity, and brought you 1,111 urbanist articles including 247 breakfast links; a ton of explainers; lots of gorgeous maps; and much more. Keep reading…
-
The Christmas bus poem you didn’t know you needed
I wrote this poem for my son, who is obsessed with articulated buses. It is based on the classic Clement Clarke Moore poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” or its more popular name “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Keep reading…
-
Breakfast links: Homeless advocates say action is needed to save lives
This year, 117 people died while experiencing homelessness in the District. Despite what the haters say, 82% of DC residents think their neighbors are friendly. Metro structural concerns close 17th Street near Farragut Square. Keep reading…
-
This map illustrates the history of Virginia’s old railroads
The tracks the Virginia Railway Express ran on today used to host all kinds of important rail service. Trains that used these tracks ran both express and local, and there were branches that ran as far out as Warrenton and beyond Fredericksburg. Keep reading…
-
Illegal dumping is a big problem in our region. Here’s how local jurisdictions are tackling it.
Tires, construction debris, furniture—these are among the many things people illegally dump in alleys, roadsides, and other secluded areas all over the Washington region. Local governmental agencies are working together to stop the dumping, and ultimately to curb the environmental damage it causes. Keep reading…
-
Why bunching plagues Richmond’s Pulse buses, and how we can fix it
Waiting 40 minutes for the next bus is an all too common experience for many of Richmond’s Southside residents isolated by hourly service, but the frequent runs of the Greater Richmond Transit Company’s Pulse bus rapid transit line were supposed to ensure riders along Broad Street never have to wait more than 10 to 15 minutes. Unfortunately, over the past few weeks the Pulse has faced a bout of bus bunching, especially during the evening rush hour. Keep reading…
-
Breakfast links: Here are some transportation projects to look forward to next year
Here’s which local transportation projects might be completed in 2020. Metro was admonished for safety violations due to fires that broke out in December. The District is owed $835 million in unpaid tickets. Keep reading…
-
A Virginia delegate just proposed a state-wide upzoning bill
Virginia House Delegate Ibraheem Samirah, who represents parts of Fairfax and Loudoun counties, has introduced a bill that would legalize duplex homes across the commonwealth in any area currently zoned for single-family housing. Like much of the region, Virginia faces a dire shortage of affordable homes, and Amazon’s arrival in the Crystal City area could make the crunch even worse in the years to come. Keep reading…