Commentary on urbanism and nonprofit communications by Jeff Muckensturm.
Despite growing evidence that questions the validity of “normal” lie detectors, the UK is considering using lie detecting software to catch welfare cheats over the phone.
Luckily, there’s sharp criticism coming from welfare advocates. “If people know that their voices are to be analyzed for every blip and tremor, the danger is that genuine claimants will be intimidated into withdrawing their claims, or will have to wait ages for their money while they provide extra evidence.”
Source: IT Week
American cities are beginning to embrace banning cars from parks to allow for pedestrians, bicyclists, and joggers. New York is closing roads in Central park this summer, Philadelphia is closing roads in Fairmount Park for a few days, and even small towns like Davenport, Iowa are creating pedestrian-only roads.
According to the Christian-Science Monitor, American cities are inspired by Latin American cities:
The model city for road closure is Bogotá, Colombia, which in 1983 embarked on a program called ciclovia (bike path), in which designated streets were closed to cars every Sunday but open for jogging, biking, dancing, playing ball, walking pets, strolling with babies – anything but driving. One-and-a-half million people now turn out each week for ciclovia. Other cities in Latin America followed suit, closing parts of parks or whole urban districts to cars – some intermittently, some permanently. A result: revitalized neighborhoods and an influx of people.
Sounds like a win for reducing global warming and high urban obesity rates.
Source: Christian-Science Monitor
Seattle, in an effort to compensate for missing greenery and open space, has approved a plan that “encourages a site-appropriate package of greening possibilities, including green roofs, interior green walls, exterior vertical landscaping, and rain gardens.”
The plan includes incentives for builders that use innovative green technologies in their buildings. Additionally, building owners would benefit from the added “building insulation, shading, air filtration, and stormwater runoff management” provided by green roofs and the like.
Source: www.WorldChanging.com