The Associated Press On Twitter

The Associated Press

@AP Global

News, discussion and a behind-the-scenes look at the process from The Associated Press. Managed 24/7 by a team of editors based in NY: http://apne.ws/apstaff

http://www.ap.org

https://twitter.com/AP

World's Largest Economies

The United States is still the dominant economy in the world. But China has overtaken Japan. And China with four times the population of the United States will eventually overtake us as well.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0oG7l6xtxBPkSIAgb9XNyoA?p=worlds%20largest%20economy&fr=crmas&fr2=piv-web

"The World in 2050," a new report by HSBC economist Karen Ward, forecasts the economic prowess of the 100 largest economies. Of interest in her report is where each happens to fall, and how income per capita will grow in a number of emerging markets.

Key notes we've already taken away: Italy will no longer be in the top ten and the U.S., as you've likely guessed, is no longer number one.

Click here to see how the 50 largest economies stack up next to each other >

The Economist on Twitter

Good scoop from The Economist

https://twitter.com/TheEconomist

LQC or “Lighter Quicker Cheaper.”

LQC is an interesting method. It is very effective for considering closing or narrowing streets. You can see how traffic accomodates to a temporary closing or narrowing before making the capital expense of permanently reconstructing the street.

"LQC or “Lighter Quicker Cheaper.” LQC is a strategy coined by Eric Reynolds of the planning firm Urban Systems Management. LQC defines a method for rolling out fast, simple, and low-cost solutions in the built environment which will organically spawn permanent and more meaningful development. By planning and implementing a minimally viable, simple solution to public space, the stage is set for future evolutions of space that will be infinitely more complex and enjoyable. Managing the ability to create effective solutions in balance with bureaucratic stop-gaps and long time frames have been found in temporary, simple innovations which provide solutions that can quickly pass through bureaucratic channels with minimum levels of perceived risk."

Example

"In 2009, the Department of Transportation, along with the Times Square Alliance closed several lanes of traffic ‘temporarily’ in the middle of Times Square. Following closure, a thin layer of paint and texture was applied to these areas where removable tables and chairs were placed. The concept was described to NYC public agencies and the public as a reversible “experiment.” Consequently, the space was widely lauded and used, and eventually made permanent by the Bloomberg administration. If Sadik Khan h ad introduced this idea through the more traditional channels of a massive capital improvement project which would permanently alter a major arterial thoroughfare in Times Square, the changes may not have taken place."

http://codeforamerica.org/2012/01/11/beta-interventions-in-city-government/

City Planner Pete Pointer

City Planner Pete Pointer is one of my favorite planning consultants. Check out his web site and his new book,

Planning Connections - Human, Natural and Man Made

http://www.petepointner.com/

Big Birds in our Back Yard

I shot these today with my phone camera. The quality of telephone cameras keeps getting better. The birds were not afraid and I approached to within ten feet.