Feeling the Heat: How City Design Can Drive Inequality

The Urban Heat Island Effect and Environmental Racism: Understanding the Disparities

Did you know that the concrete and asphalt that make up our cities can actually make them much hotter than surrounding rural areas? This phenomenon is called the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, and it’s not just about feeling a bit warmer. The way our cities are built, and have been historically planned, has created … Read more

Ancient Cities: Unexpected Lessons for Modern Urban Planning

Ancient Cities: Unexpected Lessons for Modern Urban Planning

Hey everyone! Anya here. Today, I want to chat about something a little different, but something that really sparks my artistic curiosity: old cities and what they can teach us about building better places to live, right now. As an artist, I’m always looking at how things are designed, how they feel, and how they … Read more

Ancient Cities: Unexpected Lessons for Modern Urban Planning

Ancient Cities: Unexpected Lessons for Modern Urban Planning

As a historian who usually dives into the intricate politics and social customs of 18th-century Europe, I often find myself surprised by the connections between my specialized field and the world today. This summer, my travels have taken me to ancient sites, and I’ve been struck by the sheer ingenuity of ancient urban planning. It’s … Read more

Ancient Urban Planning: A Masterclass in Large-Scale Systems

Ancient Urban Planning: A Masterclass in Large-Scale Systems

When I talk about investments, I usually mean digital assets or emerging markets. But today, let’s look at a different kind of long-term asset: ancient urban environments. It’s not about returns on capital, but about understanding complex systems and their engineering. Think about it. We often look at ancient ruins as simple piles of stone. … Read more