Latest news with #urbaninfrastructure
Sustainability Times
4 days ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'America's Cities Are Sinking Fast': 28 Urban Giants Like New York and Houston Are Quietly Crumbling Beneath Our Feet
IN A NUTSHELL 🌍 A new study reveals that 28 major U.S. cities , including Houston and New York, are experiencing significant land subsidence. , including Houston and New York, are experiencing significant land subsidence. 💧 The primary cause of this sinking phenomenon is intensive groundwater extraction , with additional contributions from oil and gas extraction. , with additional contributions from oil and gas extraction. 🏙️ Urban infrastructure is at risk of damage due to both natural and man-made subsidence, affecting millions of residents. is at risk of damage due to both natural and man-made subsidence, affecting millions of residents. 🚨 The study emphasizes the urgent need for proactive measures to address and mitigate the risks associated with subsidence. In the heart of America, a hidden crisis is unfolding beneath our feet. The ground under 28 major U.S. cities, from the sprawling urban landscapes of New York to the vibrant streets of Houston, is sinking. This alarming phenomenon, driven primarily by groundwater depletion and other human activities, is reshaping the landscape of these bustling metropolises. As urban populations continue to swell, understanding and addressing this silent yet significant threat becomes ever more critical. How are these changes impacting the cities, and what can be done to mitigate the looming dangers? Groundwater Depletion and Uneven Terrain Behind Sinking Cities The process of land subsidence, where the ground sinks gradually, is heavily influenced by groundwater depletion. This is particularly evident in cities like Houston, which has emerged as the fastest subsiding city in the United States. Here, approximately 12% of the population experiences a yearly ground drop exceeding 0.4 inches, with some areas witnessing an alarming sinkage of up to 2 inches annually. The situation is mirrored in other Texan cities, such as Dallas and Fort Worth, with subsidence hotspots also identified near New York's LaGuardia Airport, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. The study conducted by Columbia University indicates that 80% of the subsidence is due to intense water extraction. As groundwater is pumped out, the fine-grained aquifers compact, causing the ground to sink. This issue is further compounded by oil and gas extraction activities in certain regions. However, not all subsidence is a result of human activity. In cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago, the land still settles from the last Ice Age, where massive ice sheets once pressed down on the earth, a process still occurring 20,000 years later. Additionally, the immense weight of urban infrastructure, such as New York's towering skyline, contributes to localized subsidence, illustrating the complex interplay between natural and man-made factors. 'Gene-Edited Pigs Cleared for Dinner': FDA Greenlights CRISPR Pork for American Tables After Safety Review A Threat Beneath Our Feet The insidious nature of land subsidence poses a unique threat to urban infrastructure. Unlike flood-related hazards, subsidence can damage infrastructure even with subtle land motion changes. This latent risk implies that infrastructure could be silently compromised over time, with damage only becoming apparent when it reaches a severe or catastrophic level. This risk is particularly acute in rapidly expanding urban centers, where more than 60% of the population lives on sinking land, as observed in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and Phoenix. Since 2000, over 90 major floods have been recorded in these cities, raising concerns that increased flooding risks are exacerbated by subsidence. Leonard Ohenhen, the lead author of the study, emphasizes the need for proactive measures: 'As opposed to just saying it's a problem, we can respond, address, mitigate, adapt. We have to move to solutions.' The call to action is clear—cities must implement strategies to counteract subsidence and protect their infrastructures. Scientists Create Extremely Heavy Hydrogen Isotope Using Electron Beams in a Historic First That Redefines Atomic Research Adapting to the New Normal As urban areas continue to expand, the challenge of managing land subsidence becomes more pressing. The integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as ultra-high-resolution satellite data, provides valuable insights into the vertical movement of land, allowing for more precise monitoring. By tracking even the tiniest land shifts, cities can better plan and implement mitigation strategies, ensuring the resilience of their infrastructure against this hidden threat. Efforts to manage groundwater extraction responsibly, alongside measures to reduce the burden of infrastructure, are crucial steps in addressing this issue. Cities need to invest in sustainable water management practices and explore alternative methods to reduce reliance on groundwater. Moreover, urban planners and engineers must consider the impact of infrastructure weight and seek innovative solutions to minimize its effects on land subsidence. The End of Jet Fuel: Next-Generation Engine Uses Electricity Alone to Generate Thrust in Historic Aerospace Breakthrough Understanding the Impact on Urban Life The implications of land subsidence extend beyond infrastructure and into the daily lives of urban dwellers. The risks of flooding and damage to buildings and roads can disrupt communities and economies, highlighting the importance of public awareness and preparedness. By educating citizens on the causes and consequences of subsidence, cities can foster a more informed and resilient populace capable of adapting to these changes. As cities grapple with these challenges, collaboration among government agencies, scientists, engineers, and the public is vital. By fostering a comprehensive approach to understanding and mitigating land subsidence, communities can safeguard their futures and ensure the sustainability of their urban environments. As we confront the reality of sinking cities, the urgency to address this issue becomes undeniable. The stakes are high, and the need for action is immediate. What innovative solutions can we implement to ensure the safety and resilience of our urban landscapes in the face of this silent, subsurface threat? Did you like it? 4.5/5 (26)
Fast Company
02-06-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
A winding new bridge connects Honolulu's downtown to the beach
Honolulu's coastal Ala Moana Boulevard is a critical road in the Hawaiian capital, but it's also a major hindrance. With six lanes of fast-moving traffic and few easily accessible crossing points, it's effectively a hurdle between the city and its main public space, Ala Moana Park, and the broad beach there. Now, a stunning new pedestrian bridge has opened to make it easier to cross that rushing road. Winding its way from the edge of downtown Honolulu over the highway to a boat harbor and the corner of Ala Moana Park, the pedestrian bridge is an elegant piece of urban infrastructure, accented by artwork and connected to a series of paths cutting through a lush tropical landscape. It's part of Victoria Ward Park, a two-phase publicly accessible open space connected to Ward Village, the 60-acre mixed use development that aims to redefine the urban realm in this part of the city. Developed by Howard Hughes, Ward Village is a blank slate development on former warehouse land that will add, over the course of decades, more than 5,000 units of housing, nearly 1 million square feet of retail, and more than three acres of public greenspace. Several condo buildings are fully occupied and many future condos are already pre-sold, representing more than $6 billion in revenue, according to Howard Hughes' 2024 annual report. Beyond its Honolulu project, the company made more than $1.75 billion in revenue in 2024, according to Pitchbook. Building a bridge to downtown Greenspace, primarily in the form of Victoria Ward Park, is a key part of the company's strategy for luring residents and businesses, and turning Ward Village into a new model for urban development in Honolulu. 'A goal for Ward Village is to make the overall neighborhood significantly more walkable, comfortable, and safe,' says Doug Johnstone, president of the Hawaii region for Howard Hughes. Born and raised in Honolulu, Johnstone says that while the city is full of world-class amenities, its urban realm can sometimes be lacking. 'It's inherently a little disjointed and difficult to get around,' Johnstone says. That's why the Ward Village development—estimated to cost several billion dollars over a planned implementation period that runs through the 2030s—set aside the space for the park, and spent a considerable amount of time coordinating with state and local officials to get the pedestrian bridge built. Costing a total of $17.8 million, the bridge is technically a project of the state's Department of Transportation. It was mostly funded by a federal grant, and Howard Hughes helped pay for the 20% portion of the budget required from local sources, donating land, funding the bridge design and providing environmental documentation. 'There's a lot of folks wearing different hats that are trying to see it through, and making sure also it's done well aesthetically and experience-wise,' Johnstone says. 'It's complementary to what we're doing in Ward Village, but also something Honolulu can be proud of.' Ocean-to-inland Making the bridge possible is the existence of Victoria Ward Park, which was designed by Vita Planning and Landscape Architecture. The first phase of the park covers 1.4 acres from the edge of Ala Moana Boulevard inland, and is now open. The second phase, covering roughly 2 acres higher inland and more nestled in the Ward Village development, will finish construction later this year. This ocean-to-inland connection became a guiding concept for the Honolulu park's design, according to Don Vita, founder of Vita Planning and Landscape Architecture. 'Going back and forth from the ocean up to the mountains is a very important cultural orientation in Hawaii and that's exactly what we did with the configuration and the location of the park,' he says. The section of the park closest to the ocean is more of a natural experience, inspired by the ecology of the region and the plants that were brought to Hawaii on canoes by its first settlers. Connecting to the pedestrian bridge, there are winding paths that slope up through this section of the park, passing by densely planted section and water features that reference the brackish ponds that would form on the shoreline. A large berm was created at the edge of the park as it approaches Ala Moana Boulevard, referencing the beach sand but also forming a buffer. 'It encloses the space so that you could have this very calming respite from the active urban activities that Honolulu offers,' Vita says. Higher up in the development and bisected by a road, the second section of the park will be more active, with space for vendors, events, and a playground. Having a street go through the space 'at first was kind of a challenge,' Vita says. 'We thought about it and it actually helped to tell the story of a passive and a more active space, and helped define those accordingly.' Creating publicly accessible space has become a strategy for Howard Hughes, which has included more than 270 parks and recreation spaces within its community development projects across the U.S., including in Summerlin, Nevada, and in the Houston area. In Honolulu, the new park space expands that ethos. But it's still in a bit of a gray zone as a privately-owned space that is publicly accessible. Vita says that unique condition influenced the design of the park and he creation of what he calls visual permeability. 'When people feel they're in a place that others are looking at them, they tend to behave a little better,' he says. 'Along with that visual permeability there's actual physical permeability. We made the spaces very free flowing so it doesn't feel you can't come here.' Making a new connection to the beach—and, conversely, reconnecting the beach to the city—is a way of giving downtown residents more access to the natural amenities of the area without expanding the city's developmental footprint or sprawling beyond its edges. 'What we've been doing over the years is trying to really advance smart growth in Honolulu,' Johnstone says. 'We want to really protect the environment and things that make it special and unique… The saying goes, if you want to keep the country country, you need to make the town town. And we're doing a bit of that here.'
Gulf Business
02-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
RTA launches major upgrade of Umm Suqeim St to boost traffic flow
Image: Dubai Media Office/ RTA Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a major urban infrastructure project to upgrade Umm Suqeim Street. The project spans from the intersection of Umm Suqeim Street with Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road, and is part of a broader plan to enable uninterrupted traffic flow from Jumeirah to Al Qudra Road over a distance of 20 kilometres. It is designed to improve traffic flow, accommodate urban growth, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents and visitors. Unlike traditional roadworks, the development incorporates creative and aesthetic urban design elements. These include upgraded pedestrian walkways, a dedicated cycling track, complete streets (boulevards), and vibrant community spaces to promote social interaction and create inclusive environments. A direct link will also be established between Mall of the Emirates Metro Station and nearby residential communities. The initiative is part of RTA's master plan to overhaul the surrounding Further details will be announced in due course. Strategic corridor to serve over two million residents Mattar Al Tayer, DG and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at Al Tayer noted that the project will enhance connectivity across four major transport corridors—Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road. The road's capacity will rise to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, reducing travel time between Jumeirah Street and Al Khail Road from 20 minutes to six. It will serve areas including Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Manara, Al Sufouh, Umm Al Sheif, Al Barsha, and Al Quoz. Six key intersections, 4,100 metres of tunnels and bridges Al Tayer added that the project will upgrade six major intersections: Jumeirah Street, Al Wasl Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Street, Al Asayel Street, and Al Khail Road. Plans include the construction of four bridges and three tunnels, totaling 4,100 metres. At the Jumeirah Street junction, a tunnel with two lanes in each direction and a signalised junction will be built. A second two-lane tunnel at Al Wasl Street will facilitate movement from Sheikh Zayed Road to Jumeirah Street. Two bridges will be constructed at Sheikh Zayed Road to eliminate traffic conflicts, and a tunnel at First Al Khail Street will accommodate traffic from Al Barsha to Sheikh Zayed Road. The stretch between First Al Khail and Al Asayel Streets will be widened to four lanes per direction. At Al Khail Road, two flyovers will be constructed — one linking Al Khail Road with Al Quoz Industrial Area, and another enabling traffic from Umm Suqeim Street to head toward Deira. The RTA is currently progressing on a 4.6-kilometre stretch between Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. This includes redeveloping the intersection at Al Barsha South near Kings' School through an 800-metre tunnel with four lanes in each direction and a surface-level intersection. The work is over 70 per cent complete and is expected to open in Q3 2025. Al Qudra Road intersections also set for upgrade A separate project is also underway to enhance intersections along Al Qudra Road, from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to Emirates Road via Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street. It includes 2,700 metres of bridges and 11.6 kilometres of road widening, cutting travel time from 9.4 to 2.8 minutes. Key upgrades include a 600-metre, eight-lane bridge at the intersection between Al Qudra Road and the street connecting Arabian Ranches with Dubai Studio City, and a 700-metre, seven-lane bridge at Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street. Additional ramps will ensure smoother traffic transitions. Further developments feature a 500-metre bridge connecting Al Qudra Road with Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street toward Jebel Ali, and a 900-metre bridge serving traffic headed toward Dubai's city centre and airport. Service roads spanning three kilometres will be constructed along both sides of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street. The project also includes the extension of Al Qudra Road from Emirates Road to a key roundabout serving development zones, with additional lanes in both directions. A new road will be developed in the southern section of the development zone to link it with Emirates Road, alongside increasing lane capacity on both sides of Emirates Road to improve access to neighbouring projects.
Free Malaysia Today
20-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Good public housing boosts productivity, spurs economy, says academic
The government has allocated RM900 million to build 48 Program Residensi Rakyat and 14 Rumah Mesra Rakyat projects across the nation. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Government funds saved from the implementation of targeted subsidies can be redirected to public housing programmes to improve people's quality of life and productivity, says an academic. Zairul Noor of Universiti Putra Malaysia said a comfortable living environment can shape a healthy and resilient society, who can contribute in a greater measure to long-term economic growth. Zairul said many from the M40 and B40 income groups, as well as youths, would benefit if the public funds saved from targeted subsidies were strategically channelled in this way, especially those living in urban areas. Towards that end, he proposed the introduction of urban infrastructure that promotes better mental health, and an integrated youth housing policy to support those starting families. 'For example, housing projects like Groene Mient at The Hague in the Netherlands, which include green spaces, community gardens, and communal designs, have been proven to reduce feelings of isolation and improve the quality of life of residents. ADVERTISEMENT VIDCRUNCH Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Quality Auto Back 360p 240p 144p Auto Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x / Skip Ads by 'The government could also offer incentives to encourage the use of modular construction and industrialised building systems to accelerate the development of high-quality affordable homes,' the deputy dean of UPM's design and architecture faculty told FMT. Under the 2025 budget, the housing and local government ministry was allocated RM5.9 billion, with spending focused on building and upgrading affordable housing. Of this amount, RM900 million was allocated to build 48 Program Residensi Rakyat and 14 Rumah Mesra Rakyat projects across the nation. Improve maintenance, says Fomca The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) said the government should look to improve the maintenance and overall quality of infrastructure in affordable housing, which it described as 'unsatisfactory'. Fomca treasurer Nur Asyikin Aminuddin said many affordable housing units exceeding 30 floors often lacked sufficient lifts to support the number of residents. 'This causes congestion during peak hours and affects daily life, especially for the elderly, disabled, and pregnant women. It's worse when one of the lifts is out of order,' she said. She suggested that the government introduce mandatory technical guidelines, such as requiring one lift for every 80 units of homes and an additional lift for every 10 floors of a building. 'At the same time, developers should be required to appoint independent bodies to audit the quality of lifts, emergency staircases, and the safety systems of buildings before handing them over to residents,' she said.
The Guardian
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Paris races to top of European rankings of cycling-friendly cities for children
Paris was once notorious for speeding traffic and a parking technique involving gently nudging cars to squeeze into a spot – but now it has topped a European ranking of cycling-friendly cities for children, leaving Amsterdam in second place and Copenhagen in the dust. Analysing 36 European cities in terms of their cycling infrastructure's suitability for children, the report found that the French capital had raced to the top thanks to investments for the 2024 Olympics and a €250m (£210m) initiative to build 112 miles (180km) of cycling lanes under Socialist mayor Anne Hidalgo. Using data on segregated cycling lanes, low road speeds of 30km/h (18mph) and 'school streets' on which traffic is limited, the non-profit Clean Cities Campaign (CCC) put the Belgium city of Antwerp in third place, before Brussels, Lyon, Helsinki, Barcelona, Bristol, Oslo and Ghent. 'Among the leading cities, some – such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen – are widely recognised as longstanding pioneers in progressive urban mobility, having started the re-design of transport infrastructure decades ago,' the report said. 'Others – like Paris, Brussels and London – have achieved remarkable progress in just the past 10 years. This demonstrates that meaningful change is possible within a relatively short period of time.' Child cycling mobility in cities is a key measure, the report says, because 70% of the EU population lives in urban areas, 14% of residents are under 14 and children are vulnerable road users. But Barbara Stoll, senior director of the CCC, said it was under pressure. 'Children are less free to get around town and less active than they once were, especially girls,' she said. Eight cities, primarily in southern, central and eastern Europe, were deemed by the report to be 'under-performers,' including Marseille, France's second city, Rome, Florence, Krakow, Budapest and, in last place, Sofia in Bulgaria. Across the continent, no city, Paris included, had done enough to warrant an 'A' grade from the report's authors. Clément Drognat Landre, co-ordinator of the CCC in France, said that while low emission zones polarised opinion, most people supported safer bike space for children. 'One of the huge advantages is the reduction of pollution, which is a big health risk,' he said, adding that the creation of school streets had high levels of public support. 'So far, it's been a one-way journey.' In Amsterdam, traditionally seen as a haven of two-wheels travel, there are concerns about the rightwing government increasing motorway speeds and a declining tradition of child cycling. 'There's a big difference between the cities and the national level,' said Maud de Vries, co-founder of cycling advocacy organisation BYCS. 'Amsterdam is focusing on making sure people really feel a part of public space. But nationally, things need to speed up.' Belgium – particularly the Flanders region – has invested seriously in cycling infrastructure, according to Wies Callens, policy officer for its Fietsersbond cycling association. 'The adage is 'build it and they will come',' he said. 'Ghent's circulation plan has meant a big improvement for cyclists, especially children and young adults cycling to school because there's less car traffic.' Sign up to This is Europe The most pressing stories and debates for Europeans – from identity to economics to the environment after newsletter promotion Employer salary sacrifice bike schemes are often used for 'bakfiets' (cargo bikes) or longtail bikes with a back seat to carry children – although the last Brussels government's cycling policy had its critics. 'There was a huge protest from the rightwing against what they call in Flemish bakfietsbobo yuppies,' said Callens. Helsinki recently reduced speeds to 30km/h on almost all local streets in residential areas – which has certainly 'reduced the number of crashes,' says Roni Utriainen, a traffic engineer in the city.
