Brian E.
@brianengels.bsky.social
Analytical data geek, data-driven decisions, Ph.D. Urban Studies. #urbanplanning, #GIS, #geography. Views are my own.
Happy Thanksgiving.
November 27, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Happy Thanksgiving.
Reposted by Brian E.
From the very first census in 1790, the U.S. has measured race – but never in the same way and rarely without controversy. In this new data essay, we look at how the census has approached racial and ethnic measurement over time.
Counting Race: How the Census Measures Identity and What Americans Think About It
How the U.S. government measures race has changed substantially since censuses began in 1790. Today, Americans differ on whether the government should ask about race.
www.pewresearch.org
November 11, 2025 at 7:20 PM
From the very first census in 1790, the U.S. has measured race – but never in the same way and rarely without controversy. In this new data essay, we look at how the census has approached racial and ethnic measurement over time.
Best time of year, by a longshot. Peak #Fall in Northern #Virginia @capitalweather.bsky.social @matthewcappucci.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Best time of year, by a longshot. Peak #Fall in Northern #Virginia @capitalweather.bsky.social @matthewcappucci.bsky.social
The vibrant colors of peak Fall in Northern Virginia @capitalweather.bsky.social @matthewcappucci.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 10:18 PM
The vibrant colors of peak Fall in Northern Virginia @capitalweather.bsky.social @matthewcappucci.bsky.social
Reposted by Brian E.
One reason safe streets advocacy is so critical is that there's no way to get media to even cover driver violence with basic journalistic integrity.
In some cases it's because ness outlets depend on car industry ads; in others, it's because many reporters/editors themselves have carbrain.
In some cases it's because ness outlets depend on car industry ads; in others, it's because many reporters/editors themselves have carbrain.
Car fleeing police slams into bar in Tampa, killing 4 people and injuring 11
Car fleeing police slams into bar in Tampa, killing 4 people and injuring 11
Police say vehicle was involved in street racing before driver fled from authorities and then crashed into Ybor City bar
A speeding car fleeing police slammed into a crowded bar early on Saturday, killing four people and injuring 11 in a historic district of Tampa, Florida, known for its nightlife and tourists.
An air patrol unit with the Tampa police department spotted the car driving recklessly on a freeway at about 12.40am after police said the silver sedan had been seen street racing in another neighborhood, according to a police department statement. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:35 PM
One reason safe streets advocacy is so critical is that there's no way to get media to even cover driver violence with basic journalistic integrity.
In some cases it's because ness outlets depend on car industry ads; in others, it's because many reporters/editors themselves have carbrain.
In some cases it's because ness outlets depend on car industry ads; in others, it's because many reporters/editors themselves have carbrain.
November 9, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Bring on the cool, cloudy days. November never disappoints as the leaves put on their last show
November 9, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Bring on the cool, cloudy days. November never disappoints as the leaves put on their last show
Reposted by Brian E.
One aspect of US political history that I think is underplayed is that on several measures—health care, housing, transportation, basic assistance—by the late 60s/early 70s, the nation was headed in a similar direction as European social democracies. Domestic policy was ambitious & liberal.
And if that blew your mind, read up on the Family Assistance Plan, the proposal from Milton Friedman (!) that Nixon embraced -- would've been essentially a negative income tax for the poor in which they'd get cash payments.
The bizarre tale of President Nixon and his basic income bill
In 1969 President Richard Nixon was on the verge of implementing a basic income for poor families in America. It promised to be a revolutionary step – had the President not changed his mind at t...
thecorrespondent.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:05 AM
One aspect of US political history that I think is underplayed is that on several measures—health care, housing, transportation, basic assistance—by the late 60s/early 70s, the nation was headed in a similar direction as European social democracies. Domestic policy was ambitious & liberal.
Reposted by Brian E.
The countries with the highest life expectancy are all rich economies. The countries with the lowest life expectancy are the poorest economies. Poverty cuts three decades of life expectancy figures. Source: buff.ly/aTxUtfE
November 6, 2025 at 3:22 PM
The countries with the highest life expectancy are all rich economies. The countries with the lowest life expectancy are the poorest economies. Poverty cuts three decades of life expectancy figures. Source: buff.ly/aTxUtfE
Reposted by Brian E.
Canada is set to launch a C$50 billion ($35.5 billion) infrastructure fund to build projects in sectors such as hospitals, transportation and housing, as the government tries to boost an economy that’s being squeezed by US tariffs.
Canada to Start $36 Billion Building Fund as Carney Seeks Economic Growth
Canada is set to launch a C$50 billion ($35.5 billion) infrastructure fund to build projects in sectors such as hospitals, transportation and housing, as the government tries to boost an economy that’s being squeezed by US tariffs.
bloom.bg
November 4, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Canada is set to launch a C$50 billion ($35.5 billion) infrastructure fund to build projects in sectors such as hospitals, transportation and housing, as the government tries to boost an economy that’s being squeezed by US tariffs.
Reposted by Brian E.
In Jane Jacobs’s old neighborhood, more heritage rules will mean more exclusion and gentrification.
We know how the story ends. It shouldn’t be allowed to happen again.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
We know how the story ends. It shouldn’t be allowed to happen again.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Will heritage stop housing development in the Annex?
If a new heritage district is created, it should acknowledge the tradeoffs and explicitly define how the area will change
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:54 AM
In Jane Jacobs’s old neighborhood, more heritage rules will mean more exclusion and gentrification.
We know how the story ends. It shouldn’t be allowed to happen again.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
We know how the story ends. It shouldn’t be allowed to happen again.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Some clouds from yesterday evening that didn't look real. Looked more like a painting. View from Northern VA. @capitalweather.bsky.social @matthewcappucci.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Some clouds from yesterday evening that didn't look real. Looked more like a painting. View from Northern VA. @capitalweather.bsky.social @matthewcappucci.bsky.social
Reposted by Brian E.
We know a lot about urban data, mapping, and storytelling! Now so can you. We’ve published an online textbook of learning materials on data analytics, data visualization, and narrative techniques, to make complex urban trends understandable and engaging. https://tinyurl.com/4wur8jfk
October 16, 2025 at 6:00 PM
We know a lot about urban data, mapping, and storytelling! Now so can you. We’ve published an online textbook of learning materials on data analytics, data visualization, and narrative techniques, to make complex urban trends understandable and engaging. https://tinyurl.com/4wur8jfk
Virginia's GDP growth drops from 6.2% to 1.7%. Three new economic reports issue warnings about why and what comes next. cardinalnews.org/2025/10/21/v...
Virginia’s GDP growth drops from 6.2% to 1.7%. Three new economic reports issue warnings about why and what comes next.
The reports also suggest the state may be losing high-wage jobs but gaining lower-wage jobs.
cardinalnews.org
October 22, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Virginia's GDP growth drops from 6.2% to 1.7%. Three new economic reports issue warnings about why and what comes next. cardinalnews.org/2025/10/21/v...
Reposted by Brian E.
New Mexico made childcare free. It lifted 120,000 people above the poverty line | New Mexico | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/11/childcare-new-mexico-poverty
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/11/childcare-new-mexico-poverty
New Mexico made childcare free. It lifted 120,000 people above the poverty line
The state, which has long ranked worst in the US for child wellbeing, became the first and only in the country to offer free childcare to a majority of families
www.theguardian.com
May 22, 2025 at 1:11 PM
New Mexico made childcare free. It lifted 120,000 people above the poverty line | New Mexico | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/11/childcare-new-mexico-poverty
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/11/childcare-new-mexico-poverty
You need to listen to this: "How to respond to #societal #collapse" | Sarah Wilson | TEDxSydney | www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7Ay...
How to respond to societal collapse | Sarah Wilson | TEDxSydney
YouTube video by TEDx Talks
www.youtube.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:16 PM
You need to listen to this: "How to respond to #societal #collapse" | Sarah Wilson | TEDxSydney | www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7Ay...
Reposted by Brian E.
We often call better city-building ideas bold and visionary when they’re really just common sense given the real-life crises that cities are facing. But true common sense isn’t particularly common these days, so it’s considered bold.
Paris & @annehidalgo.bsky.social are praised for their visionary, progressive city-building, but they don’t get nearly enough credit for just being really pragmatic! Everything they’re doing is common sense.
They’re moving a lot more people with less space while cleaning the air & cooling the city.
They’re moving a lot more people with less space while cleaning the air & cooling the city.
October 5, 2025 at 7:59 AM
We often call better city-building ideas bold and visionary when they’re really just common sense given the real-life crises that cities are facing. But true common sense isn’t particularly common these days, so it’s considered bold.
Reposted by Brian E.
In examining regional planning organizations @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, we've found that their boards rarely reflect the populations they represent proportionally: www.urban.org/urban-wire/m...
In new research, we show that this has consequences: boards vastly overrepresent homeowners & drivers ⏬
In new research, we show that this has consequences: boards vastly overrepresent homeowners & drivers ⏬
In Most Regions, Metropolitan Planning Boards Overrepresent Homeowners and Drivers
The appointed and elected officials who sit on the boards of a large share of regional planning organizations rarely reflect the people they serve.,Regional planning organizations help coordinate deci...
www.urban.org
August 13, 2025 at 1:52 PM
In examining regional planning organizations @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, we've found that their boards rarely reflect the populations they represent proportionally: www.urban.org/urban-wire/m...
In new research, we show that this has consequences: boards vastly overrepresent homeowners & drivers ⏬
In new research, we show that this has consequences: boards vastly overrepresent homeowners & drivers ⏬
Assessing #urban vitality in high-density #cities: a #spatial #accessibility approach using POI reviews and #residential #data | @nature.com | www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Assessing urban vitality in high-density cities: a spatial accessibility approach using POI reviews and residential data - Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
Humanities and Social Sciences Communications - Assessing urban vitality in high-density cities: a spatial accessibility approach using POI reviews and residential data
www.nature.com
July 23, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Assessing #urban vitality in high-density #cities: a #spatial #accessibility approach using POI reviews and #residential #data | @nature.com | www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#DC area dethrones #LosAngeles and takes #1 spot for worst #traffic in the country. Ranking from Consumer Affairs of 50 largest #metros in the #nation | Avg. #commute: 33.4 minutes | Regional traffic #congestion lasts 6 hours and 35 minutes | @wtopnews.bsky.social | wtop.com/dc/2025/07/d...
DC region’s ‘brutal commute’ ranks No. 1 for the country’s worst traffic - WTOP News
Drivers in the D.C. region spend more time dealing with traffic than any other city in the nation, according to a new ranking from Consumer Affairs which looked at traffic data from the 50 biggest met...
wtop.com
July 23, 2025 at 2:26 PM
#DC area dethrones #LosAngeles and takes #1 spot for worst #traffic in the country. Ranking from Consumer Affairs of 50 largest #metros in the #nation | Avg. #commute: 33.4 minutes | Regional traffic #congestion lasts 6 hours and 35 minutes | @wtopnews.bsky.social | wtop.com/dc/2025/07/d...
Reposted by Brian E.
Reposted by Brian E.
“We have an infrastructure that was designed for an environment we no longer live in,” Rohit Aggarwala, New York City’s chief climate officer, told the New York Times.
How climate crisis makes rainstorms that flooded New York more common
More than 2in of rain fell in an hour in the region, killing two people, and such storms are only going to intensify
www.theguardian.com
July 16, 2025 at 10:16 AM
“We have an infrastructure that was designed for an environment we no longer live in,” Rohit Aggarwala, New York City’s chief climate officer, told the New York Times.
Reposted by Brian E.
Legislators failed to fund transit in May, forcing agencies to begin planning 40% service cuts.
This is unacceptable – rise up with us TOMORROW and demand Gov. Pritzker and legislators return to Springfield this summer to save transit NOW!
⏰ July 12th @ 12pm
📍 Daley Plaza
➡️ rally.savetransit.org
This is unacceptable – rise up with us TOMORROW and demand Gov. Pritzker and legislators return to Springfield this summer to save transit NOW!
⏰ July 12th @ 12pm
📍 Daley Plaza
➡️ rally.savetransit.org
Riders Rise Up to Save Transit · Better Streets Chicago
## It's time for state legislators to get back to work to fix and FUND transit!
Transit is in crisis because this Spring, the Illinois General Assembly failed to do their job and secure funding neces...
rally.savetransit.org
July 11, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Legislators failed to fund transit in May, forcing agencies to begin planning 40% service cuts.
This is unacceptable – rise up with us TOMORROW and demand Gov. Pritzker and legislators return to Springfield this summer to save transit NOW!
⏰ July 12th @ 12pm
📍 Daley Plaza
➡️ rally.savetransit.org
This is unacceptable – rise up with us TOMORROW and demand Gov. Pritzker and legislators return to Springfield this summer to save transit NOW!
⏰ July 12th @ 12pm
📍 Daley Plaza
➡️ rally.savetransit.org
Examining #spatial #expansion and stemming strategies of #urban #shrinkage: evidence from #Detroit, #USA; New modeling paradigm called gravity-networked spatial interaction zones-based spatial panel modeling (GSIZs-Spanel) | #poverty #decline #suburbanization www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Examining spatial expansion and stemming strategies of urban shrinkage: evidence from Detroit, USA - npj Urban Sustainability
npj Urban Sustainability - Examining spatial expansion and stemming strategies of urban shrinkage: evidence from Detroit, USA
www.nature.com
July 9, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Examining #spatial #expansion and stemming strategies of #urban #shrinkage: evidence from #Detroit, #USA; New modeling paradigm called gravity-networked spatial interaction zones-based spatial panel modeling (GSIZs-Spanel) | #poverty #decline #suburbanization www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Researchers investigate #growth and #degrowth approaches; Can #cities continue to grow without destroying #Earth? A new paper from ICTA-UAB, Spain, offers insight into this complex issue | #climate #urbanization #environmental #population #green @icta-uab.bsky.social | phys.org/news/2025-07...
Cities at climate crossroads: Researchers investigate growth and degrowth approaches
Can cities continue to grow without destroying Earth? A new paper from ICTA-UAB, Spain, offers insight into this complex issue.
phys.org
July 9, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Researchers investigate #growth and #degrowth approaches; Can #cities continue to grow without destroying #Earth? A new paper from ICTA-UAB, Spain, offers insight into this complex issue | #climate #urbanization #environmental #population #green @icta-uab.bsky.social | phys.org/news/2025-07...