Category Archives: Cities

Inverted World

Posted on November 15, 2014 by urbanhistori

Pat calls it hanging like a bat.  He’d call me bat-girl, but he knows I’d probably kick his ass if he did.  Not that he’d be against that.  He’s been wanting me to kick his ass for the last four … Continue reading →

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The New Reality of Redevelopment

Posted on March 14, 2012 by urbanhistori

It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to post here, a lot has changed since last August.  Especially my perspective. My attitude towards the legislation that killed redevelopment in California has changed significantly.  I still think it was … Continue reading →

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Will Somebody Actually Read This Legislation Please?

Posted on August 12, 2011 by urbanhistori

Yesterday afternoon the California Supreme Court issued a partial stay as requested by the lawsuit brought against the State by the California Redevelopment Association and the California League of Cities.  And, just like the governor, legal analysts, and legislators before … Continue reading →

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Walking the Suburban Streetscape – AKA Playing Frogger

Posted on July 27, 2011 by urbanhistori

I remember playing Frogger in the arcade next door to the laundromat when I was a kid.  I was never really any good at it – I don’t remember ever making it past the third level, but I do remember … Continue reading →

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The Real-Estate Reality

Posted on July 12, 2011 by urbanhistori

I read this article yesterday on the Wall Street Journal Opinion page and it stuck with me – the kind of sticking where you find yourself thinking about it while washing the dishes and walking the dog and all those other mundane … Continue reading →

Posted in Cities, Homeownership, Real Estate, Subsidies, Transportation, Urban Neglect | Leave a comment

Deciphering the Bike Battle

Posted on July 11, 2011 by urbanhistori

It one of those traits unique to humanity to be both for something and against it at the same time.  The battle over bicycle transportation is a prime example.  So much attention is given to reducing greenhouse gasses and to … Continue reading →

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The Redevelopment Ransom

Posted on July 7, 2011 by urbanhistori

California has, for the first time in a long time, passed a state budget ahead of the deadline.  The governor also signed into effect two bills aimed at redevelopment.  The first abolishes redevelopment agencies.  The second allows them to resurrect … Continue reading →

Posted in Affordable Housing, Cities, Redevelopment, Urban Neglect | Leave a comment

The Public Transportation Learning Curve…

Posted on July 1, 2011 by urbanhistori

Or why even people who theoretically support public transit often don’t use it. I spent three weeks in Southern Europe last month backpacking from city to city checking out the architecture and the city design and the different ways that … Continue reading →

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Accident-Prone Design

Posted on June 27, 2011 by urbanhistori

I started my Monday this week with a hit-and-run accident.  I was rear-ended at a red light and by choosing to get out of the way of oncoming traffic (before being hit again) I allowed the person to hit me … Continue reading →

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The Problem with Growth

Posted on June 24, 2011 by urbanhistori

One of the biggest challenges with understanding the impacts of development, sprawl, and urban planning is that it is a fairly academic topic.  To really understand how things are now, it is necessary to understand how they got this way, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Cities, Economic Mobility, Greenfield | Leave a comment