home.social

#landuse — Public Fediverse posts

Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #landuse, aggregated by home.social.

  1. "Data centers represent 27% of development sites in the U.S. this year. It’s the second-highest category after apartment buildings..."

    Land prices are up 79% from last year.

    And "home builders cannot bid in that market, because a builder’s land budget is capped by what home buyers can afford. A data center operator faces no such constraint. The result is ... no homes at all."

    #USA #AI #DataCenters #LandUse #housing #farming
    ---
    cnbc.com/2026/09/06/ai-data-ce

  2. "Data centers represent 27% of development sites in the U.S. this year. It’s the second-highest category after apartment buildings..."

    Land prices are up 79% from last year.

    And "home builders cannot bid in that market, because a builder’s land budget is capped by what home buyers can afford. A data center operator faces no such constraint. The result is ... no homes at all."


    ---
    cnbc.com/2026/09/06/ai-data-ce

  3. "Data centers represent 27% of development sites in the U.S. this year. It’s the second-highest category after apartment buildings..."

    Land prices are up 79% from last year.

    And "home builders cannot bid in that market, because a builder’s land budget is capped by what home buyers can afford. A data center operator faces no such constraint. The result is ... no homes at all."

    #USA #AI #DataCenters #LandUse #housing #farming
    ---
    cnbc.com/2026/09/06/ai-data-ce

  4. "Data centers represent 27% of development sites in the U.S. this year. It’s the second-highest category after apartment buildings..."

    Land prices are up 79% from last year.

    And "home builders cannot bid in that market, because a builder’s land budget is capped by what home buyers can afford. A data center operator faces no such constraint. The result is ... no homes at all."

    #USA #AI #DataCenters #LandUse #housing #farming
    ---
    cnbc.com/2026/09/06/ai-data-ce

  5. "Data centers represent 27% of development sites in the U.S. this year. It’s the second-highest category after apartment buildings..."

    Land prices are up 79% from last year.

    And "home builders cannot bid in that market, because a builder’s land budget is capped by what home buyers can afford. A data center operator faces no such constraint. The result is ... no homes at all."

    #USA #AI #DataCenters #LandUse #housing #farming
    ---
    cnbc.com/2026/09/06/ai-data-ce

  6. Fort Wayne’s charming kitty curators of used books

    One perk of loving to visit independent bookstores is every now and then you get the added bonus of meeting the resident cat(s) who live and/or work there. As everyone knows, cats in a store are the true brains of the operation and they stay there to make sure their human subjects follow all store policies to the letter.

    Recently, on a day trip to Hyde Brothers Booksellers in Fort Wayne, Indiana, we were treated to just such a welcome by their kitty curators, Scout and Sherlock.

    Scout on her ottoman throne

    These two oh-so-adorable cats are brother (Sherlock) and sister (Scout) from the same litter. They are 12 years old and definitely the official rulers of the roost.

    Sherlock strolling the History aisle

    Scout was striking a restful pose on her cushy ottoman throne in the Literary aisle, while Sherlock was roaming and relaxing in the History aisle. Scout was immediately endearing to us newcomers by allowing us to softly rub her ears and pet her head, as well as give her a kitty back massage. Well-placed chairs on either side of her royal daybed were at perfect petting level for guests to bestow homage upon Scout, while deciding which books they wanted to purchase. Her quiet purrs were delightfully dainty and demure.

    Just a touch more hesitant, Sherlock was very welcoming if you let him smell your hand first. Once acquainted, he was your buddy, though you do need to avoid sudden moves or he may scamper away. While not as regally positioned as Scout, he was no less triumphant in his ruling of his domain.

    Both Scout and Sherlock were lovely and welcoming hosts into their literary world. It was a heartwarming reminder of how much we adored our Gus (a.k.a. Secret Agent 47) who passed away a little more than two weeks ago at 17 years of age.

    Thank you, Hyde Brothers Booksellers for sharing joyful kitty moments with these two humanoids through Scout and Sherlock. It was very cathartic and healing for our recently broken hearts. 💔

    Peace and love!

    #animals #books #bookshops #bookstores #cats #cities #FortWayne #fun #history #Indiana #kitties #landUse #pets #pictures #retail #travel #usedBooks
  7. Diversion Channels vs. Climate Change: Will Five Cities’ Flood Protection Strategy Be Enough?

    Many of those reading this post may recall scenes from the disastrous floods that took place along the Red River of the North in 1997, 2009, and 2011. Cities like Fargo and Grand Forks, North Dakota were severely impacted by floodwaters due to snowmelt and ice jams along that northward flowing river. Further north along the same river, in Manitoba, Winnipeg has dealt with significant flooding on multiple occasions.

    Fargo flooding in 2011 – Source: wsj.com

    Part of the problem along this particular river valley is there is very little topographical change in this area, so when river levels run high, the floodwaters spread out far and wide across the northern prairie landscape. The limited grade change also tends to slow the speed of the river’s flow, which can add to the backup.

    Tragic water and fire damage to downtown Grand Forks from 1997 flood – Source: grandforksherald.com

    To address these costly and dangerous flooding problems along the Red River of the North, both Winnipeg and Grand Forks have developed enormous flood diversion channels around their urban area. Meanwhile, Fargo is close to completing its diversion channel. These three diversion systems are discussed below followed by other diversion channel programs established in Wichita, Kansas and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

    Red River FloodwayWinnipeg, Manitoba, Canada = 29 mile diversion channel

    • Completed in 1968 for $63 million and enlargement completed in 2010 for $665 million
    • Designated a National Historic Site in 2000
    • Capacity of 140,000 cubic feet per second
    • 2.7 billion cubic feet of Earth moved (more than the Suez Canal)
    Source: https://legacy.csce.ca/

    ——-

    English Coulee Diversion ChannelGrand Forks, ND, USA = 13 mile diversion channel for English Coulee and 8 miles of flood walls/levees along the Red River of the North

    • The diversion channel for English Coulee bypassing Grand Forks was completed in 1990. Unfortunately, increasing the height of flood walls and levees was not completed until 2007.
    • Total project cost was $409 million including the flood walls and levees on the Red River of the North.
    • Flood protection was raised from 50 feet to 60 feet.
    • Flood/stormwaters can be also pumped to the diversion channel from the city — up to 112,000 gallons per minute (= 250 cubic feet per second).
    • Twenty miles of greenways trails
    Source: swc.nd.gov Segment of Grand Forks Flood Wall – Source: grandforksgov.com

    ——-

    Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion ProjectFargo, ND/Moorhead, MN, USA = 30 mile diversion channel and 22 mile earthen embankment at the southern end of the complex

    • To be completed in 2027 for $3.2 billion
    • The Red River has reached flood stage in Fargo 60 times since 1902, including every single year between 1993 and 2011.
    • Designed to withstand a 100-year flood and provide fightable protection against a 500-year flood.
    • Capacity of 20,000 cubic feet per second.
    • Other features will include levees, flood walls, stormwater lift stations, road improvements including raising grades, upstream mitigation, wetland mitigation, river restoration, a bike/walking trail, and related flood control projects in outer communities and in nearby Minnesota.
    Source: fmdiversion.gov

    ——-

    Further to the south, Wichita, Kansas has faced similar issues with flooding from the Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers. To limit future damage to life and property in the city, an enormous flood diversion project was completed here in 1959. This diversion channel is very visible to drivers along Interstate 235 around the west side of the city.

    Wichita-Valley Center FloodwayWichita, KS, USA = 18 mile diversion channel

    • Completed in 1959 for $20 million
    • Includes 50 miles of connecting channels, 100 miles of levees, and 150 control structures.
    • The diversion channel has a flood carrying capacity twice that of the Arkansas River itself, while the Little Arkansas River portion around the town of Valley Center has a capacity of 55,000 cubic feet per second.
    Source: library.municode.com

    ——–

    In an altogether different context, Albuquerque, New Mexico can also face quick and devastating floods, but not from a flat terrain. Instead, the threat here is threefold – rapid snowmelt from the abutting Sandia Mountains flowing down into the city and the valley combined with urban stormwater runoff and heavy summer monsoon-season rains (yes, we have a monsoon season here) overwhelming the natural arroyos and dry stream beds. In Albuquerque, a network of diversion channels has been developed, with two primary ones (the North and South Diversion Channels) being the largest collectors and distributors of stormwater and floodwaters from natural arroyos and human made/enhanced channels.

    Monsoon season storm over Albuquerque – Source: flickr.com

    North Diversion ChannelAlbuquerque, NM, USA = 8.7 miles

    • Completed in 1969 at a cost of $20.3 million
    • Capacity of 44,000 cubic feet per second ~ equivalent to a 500-year flood event
    • Collects flood/storm waters from 50 square miles and discharges it into the Rio Grande
    • A bicycle/pedestrian trail runs along the top of the channel for its entire length.
    • Passes through the heart of the city instead of around it.
    North Diversion Channel outlet – Source: amafca.org North Diversion Channel (in blue on the left side) – Source amafca.org

    South Diversion ChannelAlbuquerque, NM, USA ~ 5.5 miles

    • Completed in 1972 at a cost of $8.3 million and discharges into the Rio Grande
    • A bicycle/pedestrian trail runs along the top of the channel for much of its length.
    South Diversion Channel (blue in center) – Source: amafca.org

    ——-

    As these five examples show, there are viable options for protecting life, limb, and property from devastating floods in urban areas. That being said, as the Earth’s climate continues to become warmer, bringing with it heavier rainfalls and stronger storms, even these diversion channels and their associated infrastructure may become overwhelmed by future weather events.

    Source: climateactiontracker.org

    Therefore, addressing only the after-the-fact results of storms will not protect our communities as long as climate change is allowed to continue on its current trajectory. Humankind must also address the root causes of climate change, including the impacts we create by our individual and collective actions and activities. This includes making hard choices…frankly choices that highly-developed First World countries like the United States too often avoid making.

    Furthermore, when nations ignore climate reality, these five cities, let alone many others across the planet, will need to upgrade their flood defenses over and over again. In this era of climate change, such efforts will not and cannot solve the problem alone. Humanity must find the “sustainable willpower” to effectively address climate change for the long term. In the end, future generations will be grateful that we did.

    Peace!

    #albuquerque #cities #climateChange #diversionChannels #environment #fargo #flooding #floodplain #floods #geography #grandForks #history #infrastructure #landUse #monsoonSeason #planning #rivers #stormwater #wichita #winnipeg

  8. My pick for “Best Planning Book” published in 2025

    Source: bookshop.org

    Now and then one comes across a book that sets new standards for excellence in print. It may be due to its content, the context, the impact of the publication on society, or a defining aspect of the book that sets it apart from others. In this particular case, Chicago Homes: A Portrait of the City’s Everyday Architecture solidly achieves at least three of the aforementioned pinnacles, with its rich and defining illustrations being beyond exemplary.

    Three example illustrations from Chicago Homes – Source: arcchicago.blogspot.com

    Chicago Homes by Carla Bruni and Phil Thompson succeeds in telling the history of one of America’s greatest and most-beloved cities through its housing heritage — specifically the styles and trends in housing that shaped Chicago’s residential development from a lonely outpost at the forks of the Chicago River through World War II. This contextual relationship between Chicago’s housing biography and the city’s overall urban history is tremendously informative and is filled with many interesting tidbits and anecdotes.

    Too often as planners, we get tied up in the scale of scope of large projects, whether they be towering skyscrapers, enormous transportation projects, placid and serene parks, or large commercial and industrial developments. Meanwhile, it is the individual house, the home, a dwelling unit, or an apartment that in unison form the largest proportion of the communities we serve. As a result, it is their relationship to the overall city that can largely shape one’s sense of place.

    ” Chicago was built on change. we’re still culturally the same old city, and our homes are still extensions of who were are, individually and collectively. Architecture is politics. Architecture is whimsy. Architecture is people.”

    Source: “Chicago Homes,” page 298.

    The icing on the cake to Chicago Homes is the stunningly detailed and gorgeous illustrations provided throughout the book showing the progression of architectural trends, styles, and decorative features that developed over time for residential dwellings throughout the city. The amazing illustrations prepared by Mr. Thompson’s Wonder City Studio alone could be framed and sold in galleries across the country they are so beautiful.

    As the book addresses Chicago’s housing history up to and including World War II, more recent trends (both good and bad) are not incorporated in the book except with brief references in the epilogue and elsewhere. This aspect in no way detracts from the book and would make for a fascinating sequel publication in the future.

    This retired planner strongly recommends this book, and not only to existing, former, or wannabe Chicagoans and architecture geeks. For Chicago Homes transcends both geography and genre in a manner that should captivate most any reader with its fascinating content, its broadly appealing context, and its truly defining illustrations.

    Peace!

    #apartments #art #CarlaBruni #Chicago #ChicagoHomes #cities #dwellings #geography #historicPreservation #history #homes #housing #illustrations #landUse #neighborhoods #PhilThompson #planning #residences #travel #WonderCityStudio

  9. A New Geodatabase Of Fuel Treatments Across Federal Lands In The USA
    --
    doi.org/10.1038/s41597-025-058 <-- shared paper
    --
    nft.garphub.org/ <-- National Fuels Treatments Initiative (NFT) page
    --
    “The National Fuels Treatments Initiative (NFT) is a collaborative, scalable data collection effort which aims to build a standardized map of nationwide fuels treatment locations occurring across all land ownership types…”
    --
    #NationalFuelsTreatmentsInitiative #NFT #datacollection #fedscience #fedservice #opendata #fire #fuel #fedopendata #wildfire #bushfire #risk #hazard #damage #infrastructure #GIS #spatial #map #mapping #economics #publicgood #landownership #federalland #mitigation #technical #database #naturalhazard #infrastructure #residential #transportation #accessibility #portal #online #coordination #teatment #WildfireInteragencyGeodatabase #TWIG #nation #nationwide #management #landuse #landcover #policy #research #spatialdata
    @DOI @USFS @USGS

  10. A New Geodatabase Of Fuel Treatments Across Federal Lands In The USA
    --
    doi.org/10.1038/s41597-025-058 <-- shared paper
    --
    nft.garphub.org/ <-- National Fuels Treatments Initiative (NFT) page
    --
    “The National Fuels Treatments Initiative (NFT) is a collaborative, scalable data collection effort which aims to build a standardized map of nationwide fuels treatment locations occurring across all land ownership types…”
    --

    @DOI @USFS @USGS

  11. Fictional city/town planners on television and streaming shows

    Here’s our list of shows on broadcast television and streaming services that contain(ed) a character who is a city or town planner. The most recent addition is the character of Helen who appears in the new Netflix/CBC comedy, North of North. If you know of any others that were overlooked, please feel to pass them along.

    Peace!

    _______

    North of North (2025-?) – Netflix/CBC

    • Mary Lynn Rajskub plays Helen, the Town Planner in the fictional Canadian Inuk Arctic hamlet of Ice Cove.
    Source: nonatslaq.com

    _______

    Numb3rs (2005-2010) – CBS

    • Alan Eppes, played by Judd Hirsch, is a former city planner for Los Angeles.
    Source: allocine.fr

    _______

    Parks & Recreation (2009-2015) – NBC

    Source: pinterest.com

    ________

    The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-2025) – Hulu

    Source: eonline.com

    #cities #comedy #drama #geography #landUse #NorthOfNorth #Numb3rs #ParksRecreation #planning #streaming #TheHandmaidSTale #TV