This is an interesting TED talk by Carolyn Steel about cities and food. She starts her lecture with a historical context of how ancient cities like Rome have fed themselves and then tracks how cities’ relationship with food, and consequently nature, has changed with industrialization and massive urban growth.
Also, check out this week’s Urban Omnibus feature on the same subject.
-Reid Bingham, Digital Production Assistant…
Jed Perl takes on the conventional wisdom of the recession’s useful effects on the arts and the continuing lauding of less-is-more creativity. Unrealistic or a challenge for the cultural sector to fight for the “freestanding value of art”? Read his piece here at The New Republic.
-Nick Anderson, Program Associate…
The New York Public Library has launched a beta site where users can “rectify” historical maps against current maps. Great resource for anyone interested in New York history or mapping in general.
-Nick Anderson, Program Associate…
To lift the pedestrians that power this city above the fray, Mumbai is building more than 50 elevated walkways. The skywalks will sprout from train stations across the city and snake over the traffic for up to two miles to create a pedestrian express lane. Click for more.
-Anne Rieselbach, Program Director…
While I am constantly impressed with the increasingly slick, flashy, and realistic 3-D renderings being made today, not one of them has left an impression on me as strong as Mikkel Frost’s “toons.” They drip with water color and charm, and remind me of the power of the hand when compared to the cursor.
-Reid Bingham, Digital Production Assistant
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From streetsblog.org, funds in the 2011 Obama budget include a trial run for a select bus service in Brooklyn–interesting to see how this works if it comes through.
-Nick Anderson, Program Associate…
Pepsi is giving grants to “fresh” ideas. Anyone can submit an idea, and grant amounts range from $5,000 – $250,000. The website has separated the ideas into the categories of health, arts & culture, food & shelter, the planet, neighborhoods and – lastly – education. And we get to vote on them, and we get to watch everyone else vote. Judging by the current $5,000 winner, this might…
The New York Times has developed a nice interactive graphic on the Obama administration’s 2011 proposed budget. As the debate continues on how we want to invest for our future (and for whom), it is a great visual aid.
-Nick Anderson, Program Associate…