Weekend links: As we mature

Growing pains

DC has grown by attracting 20-

somethings, an explicit strategy under Mayor Williams, but when they age and start families they may find that the amenities they want — playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants — just aren’t there. (Post) … At least not yet; the downtown playground that frames the story got funding in this year’s budget.

Such great heights

An office building to replace the Third Church of Christ, Scientist, will not be allowed a 9th floor. The HPRB said that even a floor nearly invisible from the street would violate of the historic district. (DCMud)

Better buses

WMATA will invest $5 million in minor bus improvements, including new MetroExtra service, timetable tweaks, and headway-based service on the 70 line. The changes are expected to add 250,000 trips per year. (NBC4)

The city as solar heater

The urban heat island effect isn’t all bad. By using water to transmit heat, cities could harness the effect to provide hot water or lend itself to electrical generation. (Atlantic Cities)

WMATA communimucates

The various channels WMATA uses to communicate with riders are inconsistent and often duplicative. Between dead blogs, a reasonable Twitter feed, YouTube and Facebook, WMATA does as much right as it does wrong. (TBD)

A height limit broken

The unspoken height limit in San Francisco, determined by the shadows buildings cast over city parks, has at last been broken. The city’s planning commission approved the tallest building west of the Mississippi, allowing it to preside over the new multi-modal high-speed rail hub. (SF Chronicle)

LA bans bags

Los Angeles has banned plastic bags, a plan that continues California’s approach to the problem. Paper bags can still be free. (LA Times)

Monkey business

In a uniquely Indian urban problem, rhesus monkeys have become a serious nuisance to the city of Delhi. They mug people for food and trash yards despite trapping efforts. As long as people feed them — a religious duty — it’s unlikely officials will be able to stop the tide. (NYT)

And…

The hidden world of New York’s rooftops is surprisingly suburban. (WebUrbanist) … Metro’s makes its new Rush+ maps by hand. (Fox5) … McMansions are making a comeback. (SmartMoney)