Category Archives: cities

Urban Heat Islands and Climate Change

Posted on 17 September 2012 by KristiV

A recent story on NPR’s Morning Edition piqued my interest in the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon, which has been recognized since the late 1980s. In the radio piece, the rather startling claim was made that cities are heating up … Continue reading →

Posted in cities, climate change, London, urban landscape, urban_heat_island | Comments Off on Urban Heat Islands and Climate Change

City Reads

Posted on 13 November 2011 by KristiV

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans? And miss it each day and night? I know I’m not wrong – this feeling’s gettin’ stronger The longer I stay away. Miss them moss-covered vines, the tall sugar pines … Continue reading →

Posted in book reviews, cities, city books, New Orleans, olfaction | Comments Off on City Reads

Futures?

Posted on 3 November 2011 by KristiV

*cough* *coughcoughcough* *cough!*

Posted in cities, climate change, coastline erosion, Galveston, seawall, sustainability | Comments Off on Futures?

National Public Lands Day in a Drought City

Posted on 24 September 2011 by KristiV

2011 has been a year of exceptional heat and drought throughout most of the state of Texas, and 2012 isn’t looking much better. Although the city of San Antonio obtains water from the artesian Edwards Aquifer, this is a limited … Continue reading →

Posted in cities, drought, mulch, National Public Lands Day, rain garden, sustainability, urban infrastructure, urban landscape, volunteer, xeriscaping | Comments Off on National Public Lands Day in a Drought City

Traffic: On the Road, and in the Lungs

Posted on 27 March 2011 by KristiV

I’d ban all automobiles from the central part of the city. You see, the automobile was just a passing fad. It’s got to go. It’s got to go a long way from here. ~Lawrence Ferlinghetti

Posted in air pollution, cities, commuting, cycling, urban public health | Comments Off on Traffic: On the Road, and in the Lungs

Wind Power for City People

Posted on 1 February 2011 by KristiV

In his 2011 State of the Union address, President Obama proposed a goal of 80% clean energy sources in the US by 2035, a mandate that would include a 700% increase in the generation of non-hydro renewable energy.  While solar … Continue reading →

Posted in cities, pylons, renewable energy, sustainability, wind_farms | Comments Off on Wind Power for City People