#coastlines — Public Fediverse posts

‘There is no great master plan’: anxiety as UK homes, roads and railways sink into the sea https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/23/uk-homes-roads-railways-sink-into-the-sea #Coastlines #EnvironmentPolicy #ClimateCrisis #Environment #UkNews #Devon

Paterson Inlet from the Neck, Stewart Island, circa 1898-circa 1899

gelatin silver print 145 x 197 mm - 2165 PATERSON INLET FROM THE NECK STEWART ID. Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, The Ilene and Laurence Dakin Bequest, purchased 1999
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki via DigitalNZ

http://api.digitalnz.org/records/1841991/source

#Bays #Coastlines #Seas #Boats #Trees #TheWonderlandAlbum #Photograph #GelatinSilverPrint #Museums #DigitalNZ

Plastic food and drink packaging ‘world’s most common coastal litter’ https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/20/plastic-food-drink-packaging-worlds-most-common-coastal-litter #Plastics #Pollution #Coastlines #Environment #WorldNews #PlasticBags #Research

Plastic food and drink packaging ‘world’s most common coastal litter’ https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/20/plastic-food-drink-packaging-worlds-most-common-coastal-litter #Plastics #Pollution #Coastlines #Environment #WorldNews #PlasticBags #Research

Plastic food and drink packaging ‘world’s most common coastal litter’ https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/20/plastic-food-drink-packaging-worlds-most-common-coastal-litter #Plastics #Pollution #Coastlines #Environment #WorldNews #PlasticBags #Research

Dozens of North Carolina houses have been lost to the sea. Some surviving homes are now being moved on wheels https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/apr/29/north-carolina-outer-banks-homes #NorthCarolina #Coastlines #SeaLevel #Oceans #ClimateCrisis #Environment #UsNews

‘The water is no longer our friend’: how dredging is pushing Lagos Lagoon towards ecosystem collapse – photo essay https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/08/dredging-is-pushing-lagos-lagoon-towards-ecosystem-collapse-photo-essay #GlobalDevelopment #EndangeredHabitats #Coastlines #Fishing #Urbanisation #Nigeria #Africa #Conservation #Environment #Wildlife

‘The water is no longer our friend’: how dredging is pushing Lagos Lagoon towards ecosystem collapse – photo essay https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/08/dredging-is-pushing-lagos-lagoon-towards-ecosystem-collapse-photo-essay #GlobalDevelopment #EndangeredHabitats #Coastlines #Fishing #Urbanisation #Nigeria #Africa #Conservation #Environment #Wildlife

‘The water is no longer our friend’: how dredging is pushing Lagos Lagoon towards ecosystem collapse – photo essay https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/08/dredging-is-pushing-lagos-lagoon-towards-ecosystem-collapse-photo-essay #GlobalDevelopment #EndangeredHabitats #Coastlines #Fishing #Urbanisation #Nigeria #Africa #Conservation #Environment #Wildlife

King opens world’s longest managed coastal walk – but much of it is still closed off https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/mar/19/worlds-longest-managed-coastal-walk-much-still-closed #Walking #Coastlines #Environment #England #NaturalEngland #UkNews #AccessToGreenSpace

King opens world’s longest managed coastal walk – but much of it is still closed off https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/mar/19/worlds-longest-managed-coastal-walk-much-still-closed #Walking #Coastlines #Environment #England #NaturalEngland #UkNews #AccessToGreenSpace

King opens world’s longest managed coastal walk – but much of it is still closed off https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/mar/19/worlds-longest-managed-coastal-walk-much-still-closed #Walking #Coastlines #Environment #England #NaturalEngland #UkNews #AccessToGreenSpace

King opens world’s longest managed coastal walk – but much of it is still closed off https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/mar/19/worlds-longest-managed-coastal-walk-much-still-closed #Walking #Coastlines #Environment #England #NaturalEngland #UkNews #AccessToGreenSpace

Channel 4’s Dirty Business is a clarion call to nationalise the water industry https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/23/channel-4-dirty-business-clarion-call-nationalise-water-industry #Water #WaterIndustry #ThamesWater #Channel4 #Rivers #Pollution #Coastlines #Business #Environment #Media #TelevisionIndustry #UkNews

‘It’s betrayal’: Shetland’s scallop fishers brace for arrival of UK’s largest salmon farm https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/17/scotland-shetland-fishing-salmon-fish-farms-environment-ssf #FishingIndustry #Scotland #UkNews #Environment #Fish #Fish #Fishing #Conservation #Food #MarineLife #Wildlife #Business #Coastlines #Food #ScottishPolitics

Tinsel to tidewall: discarded Christmas trees reused to protect Lancashire coastline https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/15/tinsel-to-tidewall-discarded-christmas-trees-reused-to-protect-lancashire-coastline #Coastlines #SeaLevel #Lancashire #Blackpool #UkNews #Conservation #ClimateCrisis #Christmas #Wildlife

Human-made materials make up as much as half of UK beaches, study finds https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/03/human-made-materials-uk-beaches-sediments-study-climate-breakdown #Coastlines #Geology #Pollution #ClimateCrisis #UniversityOfGlasgow #Environment #Scotland #Science #UkNews

RE: https://mastodon.social/@Snoro/115967501627593008

Almost forgot about this post! Wow!

#SolarPunkSunday #India #ClimateChange #ClimateChangeResilience #Nature #Bioshield #Coastlines #Ecosystems

Looking for Miracle: why have so many dugongs gone missing from Thailand’s shores? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/20/looking-for-miracle-thailand-dugong-sea-cows-seagrass-pollution #GlobalDevelopment #Conservation #Mammals #Environment #Coastlines #Oceans #Thailand #Pollution #Plastics #ClimateCrisis #AustraliaNews #AsiaPacific #WorldNews #MarineLife #Wildlife

Looking for Miracle: why have so many dugongs gone missing from Thailand’s shores? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/20/looking-for-miracle-thailand-dugong-sea-cows-seagrass-pollution #GlobalDevelopment #Conservation #Mammals #Environment #Coastlines #Oceans #Thailand #Pollution #Plastics #ClimateCrisis #AustraliaNews #AsiaPacific #WorldNews #MarineLife #Wildlife

15-Jan-2026
#Fossils reveal ‘latitudinal traps’ that increased #extinction risk for marine species

Animals living on convoluted or east-west orientated #coastlines (such as those found in the Mediterranean and Gulf of Mexico today) were more likely to go extinct than those living on north-south orientated coastlines.

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1112130

#science #ecology #paleontology #climateChange

Barracuda, grouper, tuna – and seaweed: Madagascar’s fishers forced to find new ways to survive https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/24/madagascar-coastline-vezo-people-fishing-climate-change-adaptation #Climatecrisis #Foodsecurity #Conservation #Artanddesign #Environment #Madagascar #Coastlines #Marinelife #Worldnews #Wildlife #Fishing #Animals #Oceans #Africa #Food

Waiting for the tsunami: its big waves are loved by surfers – but this Canadian town is braced for disaster https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/11/canada-tofino-disasters-earthquakes-tsunami-tourism-tectonics #Globaldevelopment #Naturaldisasters #Climatecrisis #Environment #Earthquakes #Coastlines #Worldnews #Americas #Tsunamis #Surfing #Canada #Oceans #Sport

Vesuvius in Eruption: Taken from the Sea (1906) by Tempest Anderson.

Source: York Museums Trust / Wikimedia Commons

https://pdimagearchive.org/images/146f93a5-009b-414a-9690-db0228c7bb37

#ash #volcanoes #nature #eruptions #vulcanology #coastlines #smoke #boats #art #publicdomain

Croatia is shedding its Soviet-era shackles

Unlike Western European countries, where the generation that experienced WWII has nearly all gone, most in Croatia can…
#Croatia #HR #Europe #Europa #EU #ancient #balances #beauty #Cities #coastlines #country #croatia #from #history #hrvatska #hurley #IS #ITS #shackles #shedding #sovietera #sunsoaked #that #vijesti #walled #with #writes
https://www.europesays.com/2543258/

Croatia is shedding its Soviet-era shackles https://www.byteseu.com/1508797/ #Ancient #balances #Beauty #Cities #coastlines #country #Croatia #from #history #hurley #is #its #shackles #shedding #sovietera #sunsoaked #that #walled #with #writes

How do you move a village? Residents of France’s last outpost in North America try to outrun the sea https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/28/canada-st-pierre-miquelon-relocation-climate-crisis-rising-tides-france-hurricanes #HurricaneFiona #Extremeweather #Climatecrisis #Environment #Coastlines #Hurricanes #Worldnews #Sealevel #Americas #Oceans #Canada #France

How do you move a village? Residents of France’s last outpost in North America try to outrun the sea https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/28/canada-st-pierre-miquelon-relocation-climate-crisis-rising-tides-france-hurricanes #HurricaneFiona #Extremeweather #Climatecrisis #Environment #Coastlines #Hurricanes #Worldnews #Sealevel #Americas #Oceans #Canada #France

How do you move a village? Residents of France’s last outpost in North America try to outrun the sea https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/28/canada-st-pierre-miquelon-relocation-climate-crisis-rising-tides-france-hurricanes #HurricaneFiona #Extremeweather #Climatecrisis #Environment #Coastlines #Hurricanes #Worldnews #Sealevel #Americas #Oceans #Canada #France

How do you move a village? Residents of France’s last outpost in North America try to outrun the sea https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/28/canada-st-pierre-miquelon-relocation-climate-crisis-rising-tides-france-hurricanes #HurricaneFiona #Extremeweather #Climatecrisis #Environment #Coastlines #Hurricanes #Worldnews #Sealevel #Americas #Oceans #Canada #France

Forts Zeelandia and Provintia and the City of Tainan (ca. 19th century) by Anonymous.

Source: RawPixelLibrary of Congress

Available to buy as a print.

https://pdimagearchive.org/images/65462b8d-b876-4f05-9f7e-51de17147227

#ships #sailing #coastlines #architecture #art #publicdomain

‘It’s not just our houses’: can a Scottish village save Queen Elizabeth’s coastal path from the waves? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/18/sea-scottish-village-erosion-johnshaven-coastal-path-homes #Climatecrisis #Environment #Coastlines #Aberdeen #Scotland #Sealevel #UKnews

The Colombian coastal village reinventing itself as seas rise https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/sep/11/colombian-coastal-erosion-uramba-bahia-malaga-national-natural-park #Ethicalandgreenliving #Globaldevelopment #Climatecrisis #Conservation #Environment #Coastlines #Worldnews #Colombia #Americas #Sealevel #Oceans

‘A little bit of joy’: can tiny rafts save saltmarsh sparrows from rising seas? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/09/wildlife-conservation-america-endangered-birds-saltmarsh-sparrows-rhode-island-rising-seas-climate #IUCNredlistofendangeredspecies #Endangeredhabitats #Endangeredspecies #Extinctwildlife #Climatecrisis #Conservation #Environment #RhodeIsland #Coastlines #Worldnews #Wildlife #Sealevel #Animals #Zoology #Science #USnews #Oceans #Birds

‘A little bit of joy’: can tiny rafts save saltmarsh sparrows from rising seas? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/09/wildlife-conservation-america-endangered-birds-saltmarsh-sparrows-rhode-island-rising-seas-climate #IUCNredlistofendangeredspecies #Endangeredhabitats #Endangeredspecies #Extinctwildlife #Climatecrisis #Conservation #Environment #RhodeIsland #Coastlines #Worldnews #Wildlife #Sealevel #Animals #Zoology #Science #USnews #Oceans #Birds

‘A little bit of joy’: can tiny rafts save saltmarsh sparrows from rising seas? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/09/wildlife-conservation-america-endangered-birds-saltmarsh-sparrows-rhode-island-rising-seas-climate #IUCNredlistofendangeredspecies #Endangeredhabitats #Endangeredspecies #Extinctwildlife #Climatecrisis #Conservation #Environment #RhodeIsland #Coastlines #Worldnews #Wildlife #Sealevel #Animals #Zoology #Science #USnews #Oceans #Birds

‘A little bit of joy’: can tiny rafts save saltmarsh sparrows from rising seas? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/09/wildlife-conservation-america-endangered-birds-saltmarsh-sparrows-rhode-island-rising-seas-climate #IUCNredlistofendangeredspecies #Endangeredhabitats #Endangeredspecies #Extinctwildlife #Climatecrisis #Conservation #Environment #RhodeIsland #Coastlines #Worldnews #Wildlife #Sealevel #Animals #Zoology #Science #USnews #Oceans #Birds

‘Serious risk to life’: scenic Isle of Wight road could fall into sea, warns council https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jul/08/isle-of-wight-military-road-cliff-erosion-collapse-risk-council #Roadtransport #Climatecrisis #IsleofWight #Environment #Coastlines #UKnews

‘Ticking timebomb’: sea acidity has reached critical levels, threatening entire ecosystems – study https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/09/sea-acidity-ecosystems-ocean-acidification-planetary-health-scientists #Greenhousegasemissions #Oceanacidification #Climatecrisis #Conservation #Environment #Marinelife #Coastlines #Worldnews #Wildlife #Science #Oceans #Coral

‘Ticking timebomb’: sea acidity has reached critical levels, threatening entire ecosystems – study https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/09/sea-acidity-ecosystems-ocean-acidification-planetary-health-scientists #Greenhousegasemissions #Oceanacidification #Climatecrisis #Conservation #Environment #Marinelife #Coastlines #Worldnews #Wildlife #Science #Oceans #Coral

‘Ticking timebomb’: sea acidity has reached critical levels, threatening entire ecosystems – study https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/09/sea-acidity-ecosystems-ocean-acidification-planetary-health-scientists #Greenhousegasemissions #Oceanacidification #Climatecrisis #Conservation #Environment #Marinelife #Coastlines #Worldnews #Wildlife #Science #Oceans #Coral

National Trust celebrates 60 years of coastal project Enterprise Neptune https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/may/29/national-trust-celebrates-60-years-of-coastal-project-enterprise-neptune #TheNationalTrust #Conservation #Environment #Coastlines #England #UKnews #Devon

Planning for cities with linear skylines

Shown below are some of the cities around the globe that have linear skylines. While these can be visually impressive, especially when set as a backdrop against the coastline or mountains, they also can be challenging from a planning and infrastructure perspective, unless they are adapted properly to address this unique urban landform.

Bear in mind, that linear skylines are not just a coastal or narrow valley phenomenon. Las Vegas is perfect example of an inland city with a very linear skyline that resulted in part due to how the city developed as a desert oasis along a single major corridor. Other examples may result from topographic settings like narrow mountain valleys, river valleys, peninsulas, or islands.

The length of linear skylines can tend to dissuade walking, as the distances between sites can be intimidating. Furthermore, if the focus is too concentrated, primary streets that run the length of the skyline, such as the Las Vegas Strip, can become overwhelmed by traffic and people.

That is why it is important to have viable and efficient alternatives — light rail, buses, bicycling routes, trollies, or as Las Vegas has developed, a monorail line. Safe crossings of busy thoroughfares is also needed. As the image are shows, overpasses or tunnels for pedestrians may be necessary. Otherwise, crosswalks must be set up to allow time for safe movement across the avenues.

In some ways, a linear design can be efficient when it comes to utilities, because they can be focused in a narrower area. However, they must constructed of sufficient size and scale to handle the concentrated needs for water, sewer, electricity, gas, etc. Otherwise, the streets and roads may be constantly torn up to increase capacity. Utility managers will also need to address verticality of the service area, to assure water pressure and other services are maintained at their highest levels.

Another important factor to consider is public safety, particularly from fire-fighting and emergency response standpoints. By their very nature, linear skylines tend to be more dense and as a result taller. This is very evident from the photos provided below. How public safety services address the inherently denser and taller structures is critically important for assuring public safety is always a top priority for avoiding potential tragedies.

Another factor to consider for tourist-oriented linear skyline is the variations between on and off-season. Any and all planning efforts will need to take this into account as the extent of impacts can fluctuate greatly over a calendar year.

What is likely to be the most linear (and perhaps vertical) skyline of them all is the controversial 106 mile long, new city of Neom being constructed in Saudi Arabia (see images above and below. How this project will eventually turn out and whether it will achieve the stated goals of livability and sustainability remains to be seen. If it is successful, it may be a defining development for the future. Otherwise, it could be a precautionary tale to avoid excepting very specialized circumstances.

As has been noted throughout this post, linear skylines can have their challenges. How effectively these are addressed will help determine whether or not the infrastructure and services can meet the concentrated demand. At the same time, the opportunities are not quite as apparent. To this retired planner, ambitious individual developments that are overly lengthy or excessively vertical may not achieve their “lofty” goals. Similarly, it remains to be seen how efficient and effective such a narrow, dense and lengthy urban form can be.

Peace!

——-

Las Vegas, Nevada – centered along the Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard)

Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia and other beachfront cities – centered along the beachfront

Balneário Camboriú, Brazil

Miami Beach, Florida

Daytona Beach

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Ocean City, Maryland

Cancun, Mexico

Grand Rapids, Michigan – the tallest buildings are centered along the Grand River

Pikeville, Kentucky – a very unique linear “semi-circle” in the Appalachian Mountains.

Danang, Vietnam – concentrated along both the river and along the coastline at My Khe Beach

#BalneárioCamboriú #Cancun #cities #coastlines #Danang #DaytonaBeach #downtown #geography #GrandRapids #history #landUse #LasVegas #linearSkylines #MiamiBeach #Neom #OceanCity #Pikeville #planning #skylines #SurfersParadise #topography #transit #transportation #travel #valleys #VirginiaBeach #walking #Yanjing

Planning for cities with linear skylines

Shown below are some of the cities around the globe that have linear skylines. While these can be visually impressive, especially when set as a backdrop against the coastline or mountains, they also can be challenging from a planning and infrastructure perspective, unless they are adapted properly to address this unique urban landform.

Bear in mind, that linear skylines are not just a coastal or narrow valley phenomenon. Las Vegas is perfect example of an inland city with a very linear skyline that resulted in part due to how the city developed as a desert oasis along a single major corridor. Other examples may result from topographic settings like narrow mountain valleys, river valleys, peninsulas, or islands.

The length of linear skylines can tend to dissuade walking, as the distances between sites can be intimidating. Furthermore, if the focus is too concentrated, primary streets that run the length of the skyline, such as the Las Vegas Strip, can become overwhelmed by traffic and people.

That is why it is important to have viable and efficient alternatives — light rail, buses, bicycling routes, trollies, or as Las Vegas has developed, a monorail line. Safe crossings of busy thoroughfares is also needed. As the image are shows, overpasses or tunnels for pedestrians may be necessary. Otherwise, crosswalks must be set up to allow time for safe movement across the avenues.

In some ways, a linear design can be efficient when it comes to utilities, because they can be focused in a narrower area. However, they must constructed of sufficient size and scale to handle the concentrated needs for water, sewer, electricity, gas, etc. Otherwise, the streets and roads may be constantly torn up to increase capacity. Utility managers will also need to address verticality of the service area, to assure water pressure and other services are maintained at their highest levels.

Another important factor to consider is public safety, particularly from fire-fighting and emergency response standpoints. By their very nature, linear skylines tend to be more dense and as a result taller. This is very evident from the photos provided below. How public safety services address the inherently denser and taller structures is critically important for assuring public safety is always a top priority for avoiding potential tragedies.

Another factor to consider for tourist-oriented linear skyline is the variations between on and off-season. Any and all planning efforts will need to take this into account as the extent of impacts can fluctuate greatly over a calendar year.

What is likely to be the most linear (and perhaps vertical) skyline of them all is the controversial 106 mile long, new city of Neom being constructed in Saudi Arabia (see images above and below. How this project will eventually turn out and whether it will achieve the stated goals of livability and sustainability remains to be seen. If it is successful, it may be a defining development for the future. Otherwise, it could be a precautionary tale to avoid excepting very specialized circumstances.

As has been noted throughout this post, linear skylines can have their challenges. How effectively these are addressed will help determine whether or not the infrastructure and services can meet the concentrated demand. At the same time, the opportunities are not quite as apparent. To this retired planner, ambitious individual developments that are overly lengthy or excessively vertical may not achieve their “lofty” goals. Similarly, it remains to be seen how efficient and effective such a narrow, dense and lengthy urban form can be.

Peace!

——-

Las Vegas, Nevada – centered along the Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard)

Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia and other beachfront cities – centered along the beachfront

Balneário Camboriú, Brazil

Miami Beach, Florida

Daytona Beach

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Ocean City, Maryland

Cancun, Mexico

Grand Rapids, Michigan – the tallest buildings are centered along the Grand River

Pikeville, Kentucky – a very unique linear “semi-circle” in the Appalachian Mountains.

Danang, Vietnam – concentrated along both the river and along the coastline at My Khe Beach

#BalneárioCamboriú #Cancun #cities #coastlines #Danang #DaytonaBeach #downtown #geography #GrandRapids #history #landUse #LasVegas #linearSkylines #MiamiBeach #Neom #OceanCity #Pikeville #planning #skylines #SurfersParadise #topography #transit #transportation #travel #valleys #VirginiaBeach #walking #Yanjing

Planning for cities with linear skylines

Shown below are some of the cities around the globe that have linear skylines. While these can be visually impressive, especially when set as a backdrop against the coastline or mountains, they also can be challenging from a planning and infrastructure perspective, unless they are adapted properly to address this unique urban landform.

Bear in mind, that linear skylines are not just a coastal or narrow valley phenomenon. Las Vegas is perfect example of an inland city with a very linear skyline that resulted in part due to how the city developed as a desert oasis along a single major corridor. Other examples may result from topographic settings like narrow mountain valleys, river valleys, peninsulas, or islands.

The length of linear skylines can tend to dissuade walking, as the distances between sites can be intimidating. Furthermore, if the focus is too concentrated, primary streets that run the length of the skyline, such as the Las Vegas Strip, can become overwhelmed by traffic and people.

That is why it is important to have viable and efficient alternatives — light rail, buses, bicycling routes, trollies, or as Las Vegas has developed, a monorail line. Safe crossings of busy thoroughfares is also needed. As the image are shows, overpasses or tunnels for pedestrians may be necessary. Otherwise, crosswalks must be set up to allow time for safe movement across the avenues.

In some ways, a linear design can be efficient when it comes to utilities, because they can be focused in a narrower area. However, they must constructed of sufficient size and scale to handle the concentrated needs for water, sewer, electricity, gas, etc. Otherwise, the streets and roads may be constantly torn up to increase capacity. Utility managers will also need to address verticality of the service area, to assure water pressure and other services are maintained at their highest levels.

Another important factor to consider is public safety, particularly from fire-fighting and emergency response standpoints. By their very nature, linear skylines tend to be more dense and as a result taller. This is very evident from the photos provided below. How public safety services address the inherently denser and taller structures is critically important for assuring public safety is always a top priority for avoiding potential tragedies.

Another factor to consider for tourist-oriented linear skyline is the variations between on and off-season. Any and all planning efforts will need to take this into account as the extent of impacts can fluctuate greatly over a calendar year.

What is likely to be the most linear (and perhaps vertical) skyline of them all is the controversial 106 mile long, new city of Neom being constructed in Saudi Arabia (see images above and below. How this project will eventually turn out and whether it will achieve the stated goals of livability and sustainability remains to be seen. If it is successful, it may be a defining development for the future. Otherwise, it could be a precautionary tale to avoid excepting very specialized circumstances.

As has been noted throughout this post, linear skylines can have their challenges. How effectively these are addressed will help determine whether or not the infrastructure and services can meet the concentrated demand. At the same time, the opportunities are not quite as apparent. To this retired planner, ambitious individual developments that are overly lengthy or excessively vertical may not achieve their “lofty” goals. Similarly, it remains to be seen how efficient and effective such a narrow, dense and lengthy urban form can be.

Peace!

——-

Las Vegas, Nevada – centered along the Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard)

Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia and other beachfront cities – centered along the beachfront

Balneário Camboriú, Brazil

Miami Beach, Florida

Daytona Beach

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Ocean City, Maryland

Cancun, Mexico

Grand Rapids, Michigan – the tallest buildings are centered along the Grand River

Pikeville, Kentucky – a very unique linear “semi-circle” in the Appalachian Mountains.

Danang, Vietnam – concentrated along both the river and along the coastline at My Khe Beach

#BalneárioCamboriú #Cancun #cities #coastlines #Danang #DaytonaBeach #downtown #geography #GrandRapids #history #landUse #LasVegas #linearSkylines #MiamiBeach #Neom #OceanCity #Pikeville #planning #skylines #SurfersParadise #topography #transit #transportation #travel #valleys #VirginiaBeach #walking #Yanjing

Planning for cities with linear skylines

Shown below are some of the cities around the globe that have linear skylines. While these can be visually impressive, especially when set as a backdrop against the coastline or mountains, they also can be challenging from a planning and infrastructure perspective, unless they are adapted properly to address this unique urban landform.

Bear in mind, that linear skylines are not just a coastal or narrow valley phenomenon. Las Vegas is perfect example of an inland city with a very linear skyline that resulted in part due to how the city developed as a desert oasis along a single major corridor. Other examples may result from topographic settings like narrow mountain valleys, river valleys, peninsulas, or islands.

The length of linear skylines can tend to dissuade walking, as the distances between sites can be intimidating. Furthermore, if the focus is too concentrated, primary streets that run the length of the skyline, such as the Las Vegas Strip, can become overwhelmed by traffic and people.

That is why it is important to have viable and efficient alternatives — light rail, buses, bicycling routes, trollies, or as Las Vegas has developed, a monorail line. Safe crossings of busy thoroughfares is also needed. As the image are shows, overpasses or tunnels for pedestrians may be necessary. Otherwise, crosswalks must be set up to allow time for safe movement across the avenues.

In some ways, a linear design can be efficient when it comes to utilities, because they can be focused in a narrower area. However, they must constructed of sufficient size and scale to handle the concentrated needs for water, sewer, electricity, gas, etc. Otherwise, the streets and roads may be constantly torn up to increase capacity. Utility managers will also need to address verticality of the service area, to assure water pressure and other services are maintained at their highest levels.

Another important factor to consider is public safety, particularly from fire-fighting and emergency response standpoints. By their very nature, linear skylines tend to be more dense and as a result taller. This is very evident from the photos provided below. How public safety services address the inherently denser and taller structures is critically important for assuring public safety is always a top priority for avoiding potential tragedies.

Another factor to consider for tourist-oriented linear skyline is the variations between on and off-season. Any and all planning efforts will need to take this into account as the extent of impacts can fluctuate greatly over a calendar year.

What is likely to be the most linear (and perhaps vertical) skyline of them all is the controversial 106 mile long, new city of Neom being constructed in Saudi Arabia (see images above and below. How this project will eventually turn out and whether it will achieve the stated goals of livability and sustainability remains to be seen. If it is successful, it may be a defining development for the future. Otherwise, it could be a precautionary tale to avoid excepting very specialized circumstances.

As has been noted throughout this post, linear skylines can have their challenges. How effectively these are addressed will help determine whether or not the infrastructure and services can meet the concentrated demand. At the same time, the opportunities are not quite as apparent. To this retired planner, ambitious individual developments that are overly lengthy or excessively vertical may not achieve their “lofty” goals. Similarly, it remains to be seen how efficient and effective such a narrow, dense and lengthy urban form can be.

Peace!

——-

Las Vegas, Nevada – centered along the Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard)

Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia and other beachfront cities – centered along the beachfront

Balneário Camboriú, Brazil

Miami Beach, Florida

Daytona Beach

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Ocean City, Maryland

Cancun, Mexico

Grand Rapids, Michigan – the tallest buildings are centered along the Grand River

Pikeville, Kentucky – a very unique linear “semi-circle” in the Appalachian Mountains.

Danang, Vietnam – concentrated along both the river and along the coastline at My Khe Beach

#BalneárioCamboriú #Cancun #cities #coastlines #Danang #DaytonaBeach #downtown #geography #GrandRapids #history #landUse #LasVegas #linearSkylines #MiamiBeach #Neom #OceanCity #Pikeville #planning #skylines #SurfersParadise #topography #transit #transportation #travel #valleys #VirginiaBeach #walking #Yanjing

Planning for cities with linear skylines

Shown below are some of the cities around the globe that have linear skylines. While these can be visually impressive, especially when set as a backdrop against the coastline or mountains, they also can be challenging from a planning and infrastructure perspective, unless they are adapted properly to address this unique urban landform.

Bear in mind, that linear skylines are not just a coastal or narrow valley phenomenon. Las Vegas is perfect example of an inland city with a very linear skyline that resulted in part due to how the city developed as a desert oasis along a single major corridor. Other examples may result from topographic settings like narrow mountain valleys, river valleys, peninsulas, or islands.

The length of linear skylines can tend to dissuade walking, as the distances between sites can be intimidating. Furthermore, if the focus is too concentrated, primary streets that run the length of the skyline, such as the Las Vegas Strip, can become overwhelmed by traffic and people.

That is why it is important to have viable and efficient alternatives — light rail, buses, bicycling routes, trollies, or as Las Vegas has developed, a monorail line. Safe crossings of busy thoroughfares is also needed. As the image are shows, overpasses or tunnels for pedestrians may be necessary. Otherwise, crosswalks must be set up to allow time for safe movement across the avenues.

In some ways, a linear design can be efficient when it comes to utilities, because they can be focused in a narrower area. However, they must constructed of sufficient size and scale to handle the concentrated needs for water, sewer, electricity, gas, etc. Otherwise, the streets and roads may be constantly torn up to increase capacity. Utility managers will also need to address verticality of the service area, to assure water pressure and other services are maintained at their highest levels.

Another important factor to consider is public safety, particularly from fire-fighting and emergency response standpoints. By their very nature, linear skylines tend to be more dense and as a result taller. This is very evident from the photos provided below. How public safety services address the inherently denser and taller structures is critically important for assuring public safety is always a top priority for avoiding potential tragedies.

Another factor to consider for tourist-oriented linear skyline is the variations between on and off-season. Any and all planning efforts will need to take this into account as the extent of impacts can fluctuate greatly over a calendar year.

What is likely to be the most linear (and perhaps vertical) skyline of them all is the controversial 106 mile long, new city of Neom being constructed in Saudi Arabia (see images above and below. How this project will eventually turn out and whether it will achieve the stated goals of livability and sustainability remains to be seen. If it is successful, it may be a defining development for the future. Otherwise, it could be a precautionary tale to avoid excepting very specialized circumstances.

As has been noted throughout this post, linear skylines can have their challenges. How effectively these are addressed will help determine whether or not the infrastructure and services can meet the concentrated demand. At the same time, the opportunities are not quite as apparent. To this retired planner, ambitious individual developments that are overly lengthy or excessively vertical may not achieve their “lofty” goals. Similarly, it remains to be seen how efficient and effective such a narrow, dense and lengthy urban form can be.

Peace!

——-

Las Vegas, Nevada – centered along the Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard)

Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia and other beachfront cities – centered along the beachfront

Balneário Camboriú, Brazil

Miami Beach, Florida

Daytona Beach

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Ocean City, Maryland

Cancun, Mexico

Grand Rapids, Michigan – the tallest buildings are centered along the Grand River

Pikeville, Kentucky – a very unique linear “semi-circle” in the Appalachian Mountains.

Danang, Vietnam – concentrated along both the river and along the coastline at My Khe Beach

#BalneárioCamboriú #Cancun #cities #coastlines #Danang #DaytonaBeach #downtown #geography #GrandRapids #history #landUse #LasVegas #linearSkylines #MiamiBeach #Neom #OceanCity #Pikeville #planning #skylines #SurfersParadise #topography #transit #transportation #travel #valleys #VirginiaBeach #walking #Yanjing

Defra cuts pose ‘existential threat’ to England’s most beautiful areas https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/nov/27/defra-cuts-existential-threat-england-most-beautiful-areas #Accesstogreenspace #Nationalparks #Climatecrisis #Ruralaffairs #Conservation #Environment #Coastlines #SteveReed #Wildlife #Politics #Farming #England #UKnews

Defra cuts pose ‘existential threat’ to England’s most beautiful areas https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/nov/27/defra-cuts-existential-threat-england-most-beautiful-areas #Accesstogreenspace #Nationalparks #Climatecrisis #Ruralaffairs #Conservation #Environment #Coastlines #SteveReed #Wildlife #Politics #Farming #England #UKnews

The finalized schedule for Can*Con is out & I'm VERY excited! Sat am, I'll be a panelist for "Oceans and Coastlines of the Near Future" with Cathy Hird & Mark Robinson & modded by Clare Wall, then I'll mod the Sat pm panel "Post-Colonial Perspectives on the Post-Apocalypse" with Tiffany Morris, Suzan Palumbo, & Waubgeshig
Rice

Hope to see you there!

#SF #sciencefiction #scifi #IndigenousHorror #Ecohorror #PostApocalypse #ClimateChange #Oceans #Coastlines #FutureFiction #Futurism #CanCon24