Well, that’s finally made me ditch ‘X’ completely at last. A very satisfying click-delete.
13.09.2025 19:34
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Well, that’s finally made me ditch ‘X’ completely at last. A very satisfying click-delete.
Those of us involved in planning and place-shaping need to make more creative, incisive use of AI. At the same time, we must work out how to plan for the radical socio-economic and urban changes that AI will probably bring about - very soon. A few thoughts here:
www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-pla...
I’d never heard of Terry Burns until today. It seems he deserves our support and encouragement, as he champions Lords reform, just as the govt seems inclined to forget about it.
iandunt.substack.com/p/this-wedne...
I think this is really important. We need to take back the phrase “common sense” in city-building, from those who have weaponized it against actual common sense and pragmatic ideas for better cities.
"Looking over the data shows an odd trend: Mamdani's victory was built on the backs of people who don't own cars." www.jalopnik.com/1895759/nyc-...
…It would never occur to him that humanity has progressed more through collaboration than competition. At a time when global collaboration is essential - e.g. to address economic and technological change, health challenges, climate change etc. - Trump’s sole objective is to divide & rule.
Trump lives only to dominate. He has no interest in collaboration. He aims for deals between himself and another - one at a time, with him always having the upper hand. If he can’t dominate he walks away - and takes his country with him. He sees collaboration as irritating and weak: G7, UN, WHO, EU…
“The humanities are not a luxury—they are where a society’s ethical and imaginative life takes shape. They won’t give us all the answers, but they keep us asking the right questions—and without that, no future worth having can be built.”
Knowledge + Understanding + Imagination = Creative Solutions
Absolutely right. But she goes on to say that the PM was right not to dive into a public enquiry until her report was made.
Badenoch’s response to the Home Secretary’s apology was shameful.
Seems to me there are 2 big problems on show here: 1. Trump sees global relationships as just a few entitled men using the lives of everyone else as mere chips in their poker game; and 2. There’s a fault in our collective psyche that repeatedly hands power to horrific people like Trump & Putin.
I’ve just finished bingeing on Alma’s Not Normal on #BBCiPlayer. It’s a remarkable piece of work, hilarious and tragic in equal measure- but the characters are unforgettable, and it was a huge relief to read in the final credits that they’re all ok. Truly brilliant.
I just got carried away by hearing a North American leader take office without dismissing the concept of renewable energy and immediately equating it with bird-battering and whale-worrying!
Ahh, work still to be done then. But perhaps the potential’s there.
Who’d have thought that the real Hugh Grant PM would be Mark Carney?!
Actually love the stance Canada is taking on this. A strong Canada - Europe alliance makes so much sense - especially if it has strong environmental and social commitments at its heart.
They certainly are - as are wonderful wives who call them out. Thank you both!
This is so good for urban places, where active travel and public transport should be the priorities. It gives the priorities clear physical form: a driver approaching the roundabout must do so slowly, giving way first to pedestrians & cyclists, and then must do the same exiting. Calm and civilised.
2/2…The article seems to criticise this government for not addressing (reversing) that change in its new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) but that’s just not its job. Policies can only apply to things that need planning applications. The problem needs legislative changes not just a policy.
“Labour condemned for allowing ‘new generation of slum homes’ in England”
This mis-informed Observer headline is referring to changes to planning regulations made by the previous government, allowing some types of business premises to be converted to housing without needing planning applications 1/2
#HomeAlone was never one of my favourite Christmas films. But watching it accompanied by a live symphony orchestra, with a delighted audience of several hundred children, definitely improved it. #Glasshouse
A very helpful starting point for considering options for reducing traffic and car-dependency. We really need a global data source like this that is constantly updated.
We’ve had viable solutions for mobility both within & between cities for a long time, like high-speed rail, prioritized public transit and networks of protected bike-lanes. We need leadership. And we need to stop letting “shiny new tech” distract us from implementing them. Image via UrbanThoughts11
Beautiful. Places people share deserve care and commitment.
Excellent @Cmmonwealth
explanation of so-called, ‘left-behind’ Britain.
The reality is more complex
Many towns have been at the forefront of successive govt
innovations for financialisation & exploitation
This is part of what must be challenged & fixed
👇🏾
two-towns.common-wealth.org
3/ …That image came back in to my head during a conversation today, and I decided to see if ChatGPT could come up with the picture I haven’t felt confident to draw. The result is so vivid I just want to share it. I wish I knew his story and I do hope he made it through his difficult time.
…I have no idea what his story was - what had led to him sleeping out on the Savannah with just his childhood friend for company. It was such a strong and moving image that I’ve often wanted to draw it - but my art skills aren’t really up to it…
2/
Some years ago, whilst working in Trinidad, I often went for a run on The Savannah in Port of Spain. I regularly passed people living rough on the Savannah and the image of one has always stuck in my mind: a young, homeless man asleep under a tree with a teddy bear at his feet…
1/
Perhaps, sadly, this stage must be gone through to arrive at a just & workable response - but I seriously doubt the willingness of most over-developed nations to accept any of the big changes that are needed. They/we should be listening to SIDS & supporting them.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8...
2/2
…from careless consumerism to sustainable living; from competition to collaboration; and from infinite and uneven economic growth to moderate prosperity (to borrow and adapt a Chinese concept) for everyone.
It’s time (gone time, really) to act on George Monbiot’s advice: develop & tell as loudly and often as possible a strong “restoration” story, in which the ills that beset us are solved by switching priorities…
1/2
youtu.be/xDKth-qS8Jk?...
@georgemonbiot.bsky.social
How about switching to 3 categories: Developing, Sustainably Developed, and Over-Developed ?