Seeds of something different
Kate Brown’s book, “Tiny Gardens Everywhere,” examines the hidden history of urban farming, its extensive use, and the politics of growing food.
More trees where they matter, please
An international study reveals disparities in urban shade levels, exacerbating the “heat island” effect in big cities.
Parking-aware navigation system could prevent frustration and emissions
By minimizing the need to drive around looking for a parking spot, this technique can save drivers up to 35 minutes — and give them a realistic estimate of total travel time.
I’m walking here! A new model maps foot traffic in New York City
The first complete charting of foot traffic in any US city can be used for infrastructure decisions and safety improvements.
Feeding innovation to solve complex urban problems
Cross-border collaborations are seen as a key to success for the MIT Leventhal Center’s Mexico City Initiative.
Fewer layovers, better-connected airports, more firm growth
Research shows direct flights and links to key airports help multinational firms expand globally and decide where to invest.
How cement “breathes in” and stores millions of tons of CO₂ a year
New analysis provides the first national, bottom-up estimate of cement’s natural carbon dioxide uptake across buildings and infrastructure.
Turning a childhood interest into a career path with MIT Open Learning resources
High schooler Hinata Yamahara’s interest in urban planning was nurtured by free MIT resources, including OpenCourseWare.
Giving buildings an “MRI” to make them more energy-efficient and resilient
Founded by a team from MIT, Lamarr.AI uses drones, thermal imaging, and AI to help property owners make targeted investments in their buildings.
Lincoln Laboratory reports on airborne threat mitigation for the NYC subway
Researchers studied air flow characteristics, sensor performance, and mitigation strategies within this complex subway system.
Graduate work with an impact — in big cities and on campus
PhD student Nick Allen has helped mainstream new tax-reform concepts for policymakers, while working to enhance MIT grad-school life.
3 Questions: Measuring the financial impact of design in the built environment
A new book, “Value of Design,” serves as a tribute to the late MIT research scientist Andrea Chegut, whose work linked the economics of innovation to real estate finance and development.
Eco-driving measures could significantly reduce vehicle emissions
New research shows automatically controlling vehicle speeds to mitigate traffic at intersections can cut carbon emissions between 11 and 22 percent.
Pedestrians now walk faster and linger less, researchers find
A computer vision study compares changes in pedestrian behavior since 1980, providing information for urban designers about creating public spaces.
Helping cities evolve
Economics graduate student Vincent Rollet studies how housing, regulation, and politics interact to shape the future of cities.