Center for Sustainable Urbanism

01/20/2026

low IQ and high capacity gun makes for a dangerous combo

Lafayette police said Judge Steven P. Meyer of Tippecanoe County Superior Court and his wife, Kimberly, are in stable condition. The shooter remains at large.

01/03/2026

Montana couple donates $21 million ranch to protect it from development – a bold move to conserve the Old West.

11/17/2025

You’ve probably never heard of Bartlett Street, a small road in a prosperous middle-class area just north of Rice Village in Houston, Texas.

It's spectacular for two reasons: 1) there’s a gigantic silver armadillo at one end; 2) most of its 60-odd houses are unusual, playful, and a tad crazy.

There’s a house that looks like a museum, a Frank Lloyd Wright-esque gem and an origami’d home of metal, glass and light. There’s even a French neoclassic lookie-likie.

You rarely see this in other cities. Houston is the largest metro area in the USA without comprehensive zoning laws – a quirk dating from political battles in the mid-20th century.

Its laissez faire approach to housing can spark creative genius. At its worst, though, it creates low-population-density sprawl littered with deserted car lots, overslung by power lines that are vulnerable to hurricanes.

And Houston’s no-rules approach does not deal with the Nimbyism (Not In My Back Yard’ism) that limits urban development and raises the cost of housing in many US and European cities.

Instead, it redistributes Nimby. Poorer areas get developed, whether they want it or not. Wealthy enclaves protect themselves via private legal mechanisms.

In 2020, Houston’s infrastructure score (says the Economist Intelligence Unit) was second-last among 14 major US cities. Its average traffic speed in 2024 was 17 miles per hour.

No problem. You’re in Texas, bud, where zoning is communism, cars are freedom, guns are holy and aircon is a constitutional right.

See https://www.howandwhy.com/world/from-armadillo-to-origami-why-cant-we-all-live-in-bartlett-street

11/12/2025

11/03/2025

Norway is pioneering large-scale seaweed farming, an innovative practice that turns its coastlines into significant carbon sinks.

These underwater forests absorb carbon more efficiently than terrestrial forests while simultaneously cleaning the ocean.

This sustainable aquaculture provides a valuable, renewable resource for various industries, including food, fuel, and other commercial products, offering a powerful solution for both climate change and economic development.

10/28/2025

Scotland’s Tidal Turbine Powers Thousands of Homes Using Ocean Energy 🌊⚡

Scotland has taken a groundbreaking step in renewable energy by launching the world’s most powerful tidal turbine. Anchored in the strong currents of the ocean, this engineering marvel turns the natural motion of tides into clean, reliable electricity.

At full capacity, it can power more than 2,000 homes and cut around 2,200 tonnes of CO₂ emissions every year.

Unlike wind or solar power, tidal energy is completely predictable — scientists can calculate its output years in advance using the moon’s gravitational cycles. This makes it one of the most dependable sources of green energy available.

The success of this project marks a major milestone toward a sustainable future. If scaled globally, tidal energy could provide millions of homes with stable, carbon-free electricity — helping combat climate change while protecting marine life.

10/05/2025

Scientists in Iceland are working on a kelp-derived wall paint that could go beyond aesthetics — it may help cleanse indoor air. Using bioactive compounds from marine seaweed, such formulations aim to bind and neutralize airborne pollutants once the paint is dry.

Rather than relying on electricity, filters, or mechanical devices, this approach would let your walls quietly support cleaner air — especially in densely populated buildings with limited ventilation. Meanwhile, the finish is envisioned to be soft, matte, and naturally toned, fitting both form and function.
This kind of innovation aligns with broader efforts to merge nature and built environments — from photocatalytic paints that break down pollutants under sunlight to biomaterials that sequester carbon.

Source: Nieto-Márquez et al. (2023). Improving indoor air quality by using photocatalytic paints.

10/05/2025

🌧️ Discover the Power of Rain Gardens for Climate Resilience! 🌱💦

When storms hit, rain gardens step up to the challenge by capturing and retaining rainwater. By doing so, they mitigate flooding and bolster our city's resilience against extreme weather events.

In the face of climate change, let's harness the potential of rain gardens to create a more sustainable and flood-resistant community. Together, we can make a difference! 💧🌿

09/29/2025

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