I was lucky enough to attend a fascinating session at the July 2026 CIP conference1 where the use of AI by cities (and, specifically, by planners) was discussed by people working in the field. Below, I set out some key take-aways. My overall take-away is that AI is overhyped : there is strong pressure fromContinue reading “AI and planning : a few pointers for students”
Tag Archives: urban-planning
Housing crisis: the need for smart regulation
This morning I read an interesting article in the New York Times. It describes how, “under pressure to control housing costs, […] lawmakers rejected standards meant to protect against disasters”. The articles continues: “Over the past 15 years, North Carolina lawmakers have rejected limits on construction on steep slopes, which might have reduced the numberContinue reading “Housing crisis: the need for smart regulation”
Pedestrians in St.John’s (NL) are safer on icy cliffs!
I am spending my sabbatical in St.John’s (NL), a beautiful and friendly part of the world. Here I am reading, preparing a new course, and writing overdue papers… However, it is extremely difficult to maintain any physical activity in winter, not because of the weather, but because of snow clearing. In St.John’s, snow clearing consistsContinue reading “Pedestrians in St.John’s (NL) are safer on icy cliffs!”
Richard Shearmur 