Tag Archives: cities

Urban Heat Islands and Climate Change

Posted on September 17, 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 climate change, urban landscape | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

City Reads

Posted on November 13, 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 city books, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Futures?

Posted on November 3, 2011 by KristiV

*cough* *coughcoughcough* *cough!*

Posted in climate change | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

National Public Lands Day in a Drought City

Posted on September 24, 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 urban infrastructure, urban landscape | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Traffic: On the Road, and in the Lungs

Posted on March 27, 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 Both at work and on … Continue reading →

Posted in urban public health | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Wind Power for City People

Posted on February 1, 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 renewable energy | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

The End of Cities?

Posted on January 8, 2011 by KristiV

Whether I remember them very well or not, I’ve lived in large cities most of my life: Boston, Minneapolis, Houston, London, Dallas, New Orleans, and now, San Antonio. Although Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas rank fourth, seventh, and ninth respectively, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 10 Comments