A subway flood expert explains what needs to be done to stop underground station deluges

Images of water gushing into subway stations filled social media following heavy rain in New York City. Solutions are at hands – but it takes money and political will, an expert explains.

Klaus Hans Jacob, Professor of Geophysics, Columbia University • conversation
Sept. 2, 2021 • ~8 min

Why the changing colour of our streetlights could be a danger for insect populations

The increasing prevalence of white LED streetlamps spells worrying population declines for insects like moths.

Douglas Boyes, PhD Researcher, Newcastle University • conversation
Aug. 25, 2021 • ~8 min

How connecting with local nature helps migrants build better lives

How do migrants to the UK explore and experience its natural environment -- and how does it connect them to their roots?

Jo Birch, Research Associate, Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Sheffield • conversation
June 22, 2021 • ~8 min

Parking reform could reenergize downtowns – here's what happened when Buffalo changed its zoning rules

When Buffalo, New York, changed its zoning code so that developers no longer had to provide specified amounts of parking, space was freed up for public transit and people.

Jeffrey Rehler, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University at Buffalo • conversation
June 10, 2021 • ~9 min

Treated like dirt: urban soil is often overlooked as a resource

The earth our towns and cities are built on is teeming with potential. It is under threat too

Roisin O'Riordan, PhD Candidate, Soil and Ecosystem Services, Lancaster University • conversation
April 26, 2021 • ~8 min

City dwellers gained more access to public spaces during the pandemic – can they keep it?

COVID-19 has underscored the value of parks and public spaces. A new survey shows that US mayors have gotten the message, but post-pandemic plans for public spaces remain largely undefined.

Katharine Lusk, Co-Director, Initiative on Cities, Boston University • conversation
March 31, 2021 • ~9 min

With fewer cars on US streets, now is the time to reinvent roadways and how we use them

City streets were built to accommodate cars, but the COVID-19 pandemic has scrambled our transport needs. Many cities are moving to make streets more people-friendly and less car-centric.

Kevin J. Krizek, Professor of Environmental Design, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
July 21, 2020 • ~6 min

Transportation policymaking in Chinese cities

A new framework for learning from each other.

Nancy W. Stauffer | MIT Energy Initiative • mit
May 21, 2020 • ~13 min

Is your city making you fat? How urban planning can address the obesity epidemic

Four out of 5 Americans live in cities, so urban planning can make a big difference in our lifestyles – especially if it promotes healthy diets and physical activity.

John Rennie Short, Professor, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
Feb. 20, 2020 • ~8 min

Better traffic signals can cut greenhouse gas emissions | MIT News

Analysis shows that smarter programming of stoplights could improve efficiency of urban traffic.

David L. Chandler | MIT News Office • mit
March 31, 2015 • ~10 min

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