A Washington Post article suggests that, beyond a certain threshold, larger homes don't make people happier. Instead, well-being is correlated with affordable housing in walkable neighborhoods where they feel socially connected. www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...

There are #sunrises and then there are #moonrises. Tonight in western Fairfax Co. #moon #moonscape #fairfax #dc #sky #clouds #photography #moonpic #moonscape #winter #January @capitalweather.bsky.social

NEW: This is very interesting — Seattle City Council has allowed 8-unit buildings up to 3 storeys, or 10 apartments up to 4 storeys (they call them “stacked flats”) if they add green features (like bioswales or green roofs) or preserve trees, in all residential zones across the entire city!

Clear skies open up behind the front as winds and cold air start to push in. Western FF Co. #weather #photography #sky #nature #clouds @capitalweather.bsky.social

"Parent just expires after waiting for their child to finish what should have been a 3 minute chore." creativebyrovelo.com/therovelorecord

Sundog (?) from yesterday. Western FF. No filters. #fairfax #dc #sky #clouds #photography #weather #sundog #rainbow #prism #christmas @capitalweather.bsky.social

Moonscape tonight from western Fairfax County. Unedited. #moon #moonscape #fairfax #dc #sky #clouds #photography #moonpic #moonscape @capitalweather.bsky.social

Happy Thanksgiving.

From the very first census in 1790, the U.S. has measured race – but never in the same way and rarely without controversy. In this new data essay, we look at how the census has approached racial and ethnic measurement over time.

Best time of year, by a longshot. Peak #Fall in Northern #Virginia @capitalweather.bsky.social @matthewcappucci.bsky.social

The vibrant colors of peak Fall in Northern Virginia @capitalweather.bsky.social @matthewcappucci.bsky.social

One reason safe streets advocacy is so critical is that there's no way to get media to even cover driver violence with basic journalistic integrity. In some cases it's because ness outlets depend on car industry ads; in others, it's because many reporters/editors themselves have carbrain.

A sweet gum and a red maple a week earlier. #Fall #FallColors #November

Bring on the cool, cloudy days. November never disappoints as the leaves put on their last show

One aspect of US political history that I think is underplayed is that on several measures—health care, housing, transportation, basic assistance—by the late 60s/early 70s, the nation was headed in a similar direction as European social democracies. Domestic policy was ambitious & liberal.

The countries with the highest life expectancy are all rich economies. The countries with the lowest life expectancy are the poorest economies. Poverty cuts three decades of life expectancy figures. Source: buff.ly/aTxUtfE

Canada is set to launch a C$50 billion ($35.5 billion) infrastructure fund to build projects in sectors such as hospitals, transportation and housing, as the government tries to boost an economy that’s being squeezed by US tariffs.

In Jane Jacobs’s old neighborhood, more heritage rules will mean more exclusion and gentrification. We know how the story ends. It shouldn’t be allowed to happen again. www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...

Some clouds from yesterday evening that didn't look real. Looked more like a painting. View from Northern VA. @capitalweather.bsky.social @matthewcappucci.bsky.social

We know a lot about urban data, mapping, and storytelling! Now so can you. We’ve published an online textbook of learning materials on data analytics, data visualization, and narrative techniques, to make complex urban trends understandable and engaging. https://tinyurl.com/4wur8jfk

Virginia's GDP growth drops from 6.2% to 1.7%. Three new economic reports issue warnings about why and what comes next. cardinalnews.org/2025/10/21/v...

New Mexico made childcare free. It lifted 120,000 people above the poverty line | New Mexico | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/11/childcare-new-mexico-poverty

You need to listen to this: "How to respond to #societal #collapse" | Sarah Wilson | TEDxSydney | www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7Ay...

We often call better city-building ideas bold and visionary when they’re really just common sense given the real-life crises that cities are facing. But true common sense isn’t particularly common these days, so it’s considered bold.

In examining regional planning organizations @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, we've found that their boards rarely reflect the populations they represent proportionally: www.urban.org/urban-wire/m... In new research, we show that this has consequences: boards vastly overrepresent homeowners & drivers ⏬

Assessing #urban vitality in high-density #cities: a #spatial #accessibility approach using POI reviews and #residential #data | ‪@nature.com‬ | www.nature.com/articles/s41...

#DC area dethrones #LosAngeles and takes #1 spot for worst #traffic in the country. Ranking from Consumer Affairs of 50 largest #metros in the #nation | Avg. #commute: 33.4 minutes | Regional traffic #congestion lasts 6 hours and 35 minutes | ‪@wtopnews.bsky.social‬ | wtop.com/dc/2025/07/d...

Always and forever

“We have an infrastructure that was designed for an environment we no longer live in,” Rohit Aggarwala, New York City’s chief climate officer, told the New York Times.

Legislators failed to fund transit in May, forcing agencies to begin planning 40% service cuts. This is unacceptable – rise up with us TOMORROW and demand Gov. Pritzker and legislators return to Springfield this summer to save transit NOW! ⏰ July 12th @ 12pm 📍 Daley Plaza ➡️ rally.savetransit.org

Examining #spatial #expansion and stemming strategies of #urban #shrinkage: evidence from #Detroit, #USA; New modeling paradigm called gravity-networked spatial interaction zones-based spatial panel modeling (GSIZs-Spanel) | #poverty #decline #suburbanization www.nature.com/articles/s42...

Researchers investigate #growth and #degrowth approaches; Can #cities continue to grow without destroying #Earth? A new paper from ICTA-UAB, Spain, offers insight into this complex issue | #climate #urbanization #environmental #population #green @icta-uab.bsky.social | phys.org/news/2025-07...

Can #Americans Just Stop Building New #Highways? A new book argues that the #expansion of the #US #roadway network has exacted #social and #environmental costs that far outweigh the benefits | #interstate #cars #automobiles #harmful #carculture www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

Map of Ecosystems of North America Completed! @natureserve.bsky.social has released a first-of-its-kind map of ecosystems across the conterminous U.S. & nearby regions w/ a level of detail & consistency not previously available. 🧪 🌎 #GISchat geohub-natureserve.opendata.arcgis.com/maps/Natures...

People who depend on cars to get around are more likely to feel lonely and disconnected than those who have access to good public transport, a UK study has found www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

“In Finland, the number of homeless people has fallen sharply. Those affected receive a small apartment & counselling with no preconditions. 4 out of 5 people affected make their way back into a stable life. And all this is CHEAPER than accepting homelessness.” It costs a lot less to house people.

Who Killed the #Streetcar? The State of Fort Worth's Public Transit | #PublicTransportation #ForthWorth #Texas #FortWorthInc fortworthinc.com/news/who-kil...

Episode of CuriosiD, 6/12/25: Addressing a question from a WDET listener about the connection between Detroit’s Big Three #automakers and lack of public #transportation | #Detroit #Michigan #PublicTransportation #cars @wdet.bsky.social wdet.org/2025/06/12/c...

Precipitation map shows how much #rain fell yesterday in #Baltimore- #Washingtion forecast area. Some areas saw 3 to 5 inches @nws.noaa.gov @capitalweather.bsky.social #storm #rainfall #flooding #map www.weather.gov/lwx/20250626...

Old problems, old solutions: "New highway flyover ramps take San Antonio drivers to new heights" www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jnx...; "San Antonio community frustrated with 3-mile drive that has dragged into nearly an hour" www.youtube.com/watch?v=zee2... @thetransitguy.com @brenttoderian.bsky.social

Automobile dependency and sprawl have made the costs of driving exceed its benefit. Here is research to prove it.

"Atmospheric Warming & Planetary Wave Amplification" | I discuss our (@xuekeli.bsky.social et al) new article in @pnas.org demonstrating for the first time, an increase in incidence of the stuck & wavy jet stream patterns behind persistent summer weather extremes. michaelmann.net/atmospheric-...

When I get home, if you hear me referring to “cave people,” I got it from Gil Peñalosa.

there is no greater indictment of American car culture than the school pick up line we have built almost all of our country around the most dangerous and inefficient possible form of transportation

Deeply, deeply saddened by the passing away of Representative Gerry Connolly, an amazing Member of Congress. I had the honor of serving with him on the Foreign Affairs Committee and greatly enjoyed his friendship, his wit and his leadership. May he rest in peace.

I'm heartbroken to hear of the passing of my friend, Gerry Connolly. He was a dedicated public servant for the people of Virginia's 11th district and a kind-hearted person to work with. His legacy of service and commitment to justice will continue to inspire us all. Rest in peace, my friend.

ICYMI: The online training systems the Census Bureau relies on for its mandatory data stewardship training — which all employees and contractors, plus individuals with "special sworn status," must complete to keep their access to the bureau's network — are set to no longer be available to the agency

Love your mother. #EarthDay.

Coming October 21st... "Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves from the Tyranny of the Automobile." A new book about how cars ruin everything and what we can do to fight back. Pre-order here: www.lifeaftercars.com

"Brampton, Ontario, a suburban city with low-density development and wide roads, has achieved high transit ridership (226,500 bus riders on an average weekday) by providing frequent bus service, including core routes that run every 5 minutes." www.bloomberg.com/news/article...