People In Walkable Communities Are Happier: Study

A recent study published in the journal Applied Research in Quality of Life found that residents of walkable communities report higher levels of social engagement and trust in their communities.

From USA Today article:

The researchers scored 700 residents of three communities in New Hampshire on measures of "social capital" such as socializing with friends, civic engagement and trust in their community. They found those in neighborhoods with higher Walk Score ratings reported being happier and healthier and more apt to volunteer, work on community projects or simply entertain friends at home.

Urban transit and walkable community planning must be two of the highest priorities for municipalities such as Toronto which makes this current rhetoric of "ending the war on the car" so damned counter-productive.

Tower Renewal in Toronto

Spacing magazine is running an article today on tower renewal in the city of Toronto.

With a new report, Tower Neighbourhood Renewal in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, there's a sign the province is taking an interest in fixing the Toronto region's many highrise neighbourhoods, even as Rob Ford's crew seems to be dismissing the idea.

TEA: Report says "LRT the 'Greener Way' for TTC

The Toronto Environmental Alliance are my favourite local ecology-minded organization. With successes such as the green bin program and the cosmetic pesticide ban, it's heartening for a public transportation fan like me to see them announcing a report like this.

Dr. Franz Hartmann, Executive Director of the Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA). “The facts suggest that Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs), not subways, are the best technology –per dollar invested- to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Essentially, they found that  the per-dollar cost of LRT versus subway emitted half the greenhouse gas. And because of their low-cost, more of them can be built for the same dollar - and faster - so we can have better coverage sooner to reduce automobile traffic.

As the recent Toronto election has introduced a real uncertainty to the 2007 Transit City plan, this is an important thing to consider in the decision to modify or abandon that direction.

Off-grid Container House

this is it this is what i have been searching for. this is perfect. self sustainable off the grid beautiful home. i estimate the cost of this house $15000-35000. in vancouver a new 20' container cost $3600.00, a used great condition container cost $2600.00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUMqYSOlpNg&feature=related

Container Cellar

container cellar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3EAJex1RVo&feature=player_embedded

Container Houses

a short video on container houses

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6deDlbeyeE&feature=related

Evolution of Oil Culture

evolution of oil from birth to death http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJ-J91SwP8w

Subway Studios

My brother and co-blogger, Mark, has been on about these "container houses" lately (for good reason) so when a friend pointed out these subway-car rooftop studio conversions, I had to have them. Thank you Matt!

Solar Roads - Intelligent Pavements

This is why you never count America out. They've got a million garages with guys like this in them. Highest garage-genius per capita, ever. These particular folks made road modules of glass and solar cells that, if used to replace the pavement infrastructure in the southern States, could basically power the continent.

Detroit Lives

The wasteland left by the collapse of the American auto industry finds a new urbanism growing up through the wreckage. Johnny Knoxville narrates the documentary Detroit Lives [detroitlives.org].

http://vimeo.com/14375565

Car Free by Tatsuro Kiuchi

Love this. Link

An elegant, small-space bedroom solution: The Murphy Bed!

From Youtube user patrickstar64.

Synergies

Marrying laser technology with wind turbines increases efficiencies 5% to 10% and reduces operational costs. Potential increase of 3.5 gigawatts capacity with existing infrastructure.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/03/lidar-wind/

Real Flaming Lips House

Ethereal bedroom and bathroom space.

http://design-milk.com/the-real-flaming-lips-bathroom/

Green Home - Hong Kong

300 square feet of multi-use living.

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/videos/worlds-greenest-homes-hong-kong-space-saver.html