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Tag Archives: Urban
Car Future Part I
Cars are cool! But some of their consequences makes me wonder if they’ll be in our future for ever… Continue reading
Traffic lights: Hate
At the intersection of ubiquity and stupidity, lies my nemesis. The traffic light. Let’s look at three traffic scenarios. 1. Light traffic. I am stuck at the traffic light for no discernible reason. No cars are coming. The red … Continue reading
Population policy
Back in the day, the response to any proposal for more housing, or train lines, or new suburbs was:
Let’s not build it, who wants another million people?!?
It’s a classic case of mistaken identity between our old friends, that nebulous duo, cause and effect. In fact, the need to support another million people is almost a fait accompli. Continue reading
On Formula 1: Profanity-laced Urbanity.
For a long time there was a group called Save Albert Park, arguing against the Melbourne Grand Prix. On the suburb’s street corners, bearded men (and women) sat on folding chairs distributing photocopied pamphlets and yellow ribbons. But here’s the … Continue reading
What makes a good hostel?
Youth hostels are like little cities. You have private space and public space. There’s common infrastructure like kitchens and bathrooms. If you don’t look after the common infrastructure, you get a hostel that’s like Calcutta. And if you design the … Continue reading
A stab in the back for the heart of the nation.
I had three people bag Canberra to me today. First, I watched a video embedded in this link, in which Former Prime Minister Keating described it as ‘a great mistake’. Malcolm Fraser then described Parliament House as ‘not meritorious in … Continue reading
A long, green Big Apple
I was not browsing the Christian Science Monitor the other day. I did not find the following article on it: http://features.csmonitor.com/books/2009/09/16/green-metropolis/ (Ok, ok. I was, I did, and then I lied about it. I’m sorry. Hush now.) It’s an article … Continue reading
My first (and last?) car.
I have a theory.
Bargain!
Have you ever gone across town to get a bargain? Chances are you spent more on time and petrol than you saved. Have you ever wondered why?
Costco – A review
Bringing big- box retailing to Melbourne’s thriving Docklands precinct is the Costco Wholesale Corporation, the largest membership warehouse club chain in the world, based on sales volume! Imagine If Kmart, Bunnings, and the Melbourne Cricket Club had a baby.
Berkeley – A good place to cycle
Rather than cram bicycle lanes onto main thoroughfares and roads that are a little too narrow, the Berkeley Council has taken another approach.
Coffee Safari
Like many Melburnians, I secretly consider myself a coffee connoisseur. I’ve drunk a lot of strong flat whites in a lot of different places. I last had instant in 94. I like to go to cafes that will have excellent … Continue reading
Are we dense?
Would we be happy living in a city that packed more people in? If density is so unpopular, why is New York so cool?
Unsafe is Safe?
On a public thoroughfare in Ossterwolde, Northern Holland, Hans Monderman “tucks his hands behind his back and begins to walk into the square – backward – straight into traffic, without being able to see oncoming vehicles”. Who is this … Continue reading
Keeping a lid on it?
I like my head the way it is. So I like to wear my bicycle helmet – it makes my head feel safe. But I did a quick google and the statistics say the helmet does Jack. Mandatory helmet laws … Continue reading
With great power comes great responsibility
Riding a bike in the city is like being a superhero. Faster than a speeding bullet, the cyclist runs red lights, pops up on the pavement, goes on the wrong side of the road, rides between the tram tracks and … Continue reading
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