The spread of Diabetes since 2004 - Slate Labs

The spread of Diabetes since 2004 - Slate Labs

This is a fascinating look at the spread of disease. I have another map somewhere which shows access to healthy food options, and there's a direct correlation. I'll hunt it out and post it.

The map is interesting because it shows that 'lifestyle' diseases are geographically based. The next step of course is working out what it is about those areas that makes them unhealthy .. urban form? Access to fresh food? Transport infrastructure? Culture?

It would be very interesting to do a similar mapping exercise in Australia and work out if we also have geographic clusters of disease.

Urban Demographics: Parking Rates Worldwide

Urban Demographics: Parking Rates Worldwide

I always knew parking rates were a rip-off in Melbourne!

How soon does a bike pay back its initial carbon footprint? - By Brian Palmer - Slate Magazine

How soon does a bike pay back its initial carbon footprint? - By Brian Palmer - Slate Magazine

This is an interesting article on the relative carbon footprint or different types of community transport, undertaken using life-cycle assessment. One of the most interesting comments is that trains are usually much worse than almost any other form of transport, if assessed on a per passenger basis. This is because of the number of trains per day that have very few passengers. It is only the peak hour trains, jammed full, which have a good environmental performance. Part of the issue with trains is also the need for dedicated land and infrastructure, which all adds to the impact.

I wonder if this means that a flexible bus system, with different sized buses for different times of day, and using the same road-space as other vehicles, would have a better environmental performance than rail?

A Freeway for the Mornington Peninsula?

Study eyes Peninsula freeway - The AGE, 10th August 2011

It was probably inevitable that there would be rumblings in this direction once Peninsula Link was underway. Some eastern-suburbs holiday home owners must be salivating at the idea of having a freeway connection all the way down to Sorrento.

I hope this study looks at the need for connections to and between activity centres on the Pensinsula. As the population in this part of the world ages, there will be many people who are unable to drive who will become very isolated if there are no alternative means for them to get around.

ABS Spotlight : Spotlight

ABS Spotlight : Spotlight

This cracks me up - it's a great little animation to show how the Census data can be used to profile communities. I'd love to know how they put this together, someone is a very clever programmer.

NYT: The High Line Isn’t Just a Sight to See; It’s Also an Economic Dynamo

This is a really interesting comment on the impact that urban improvement has had on property values. It shows that investing in improving an urban eyesore has directly led to increased investment and increased the value of adjacent properties. This could be used as an argument for public investment in parks and gardens. It could even be used as an argument for private investment in parks and gardens!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/06/nyregion/with-next-phase-ready-area-around-high-line-is-flourishing.html?_r=4&src=me&ref=nyregion

The Secret History of America’s Interstate Highway System » INFRASTRUCTURIST

The Secret History of America’s Interstate Highway System » INFRASTRUCTURIST

It just goes to show ... Melbourne isn't the only place where highway planning has been going on for years without the general public being aware of it.