Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
• In Vancouver, there is an effort afoot to make the impacts of climate change more visible. Artists Rhonda Weppler and Trevor Mahovsky have installed their piece, ‘A False Creek’, which shows projected changes in sea level over the coming years on the legs of the Cambie Street Bridge. The name is a pun which plays on the body of water (False Creek) and the level of change that the creek may experience in the years to come. (Pop Up City)
• The New York Post reports on the unbelievable story of how a set of keys to the city ended up on eBay last month. Retired New Jersey locksmith Daniel Ferraris sold a “firemen’s key ring”, which included keys to gain control of virtually any elevator in the city, knock out power to municipal buildings, skyscrapers and streetlights and allow access to hundreds of spaces. The key ring was purchased by a Post reporter – leaving unanswered questions about the danger of having these keys available to the public. (New York Post)
• Playgrounds with natural elements have become increasingly popular in the last decade. And according to the University of Tennessee’s Dawn Coe, the playgrounds also increase of the level of physical activity for the children who use them. Studying the playground at the University’s Early Learning Center, Coe measured a 100% increase in the amount of time children spent playing after a naturalization initiative. The changes incorporated more natural elements like logs and flowers. (Science Daily)
Image from Pop Up City
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