Josh Linden
@joshlinden.bsky.social
530 followers 560 following 240 posts
Is this the one? Spend a little too much time thinking about housing // transit // climate // cool maps. And not enough time learning how to garden properly. Member of the Montgomery County Planning Board, but all posts and opinions here are my own
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Reposted by Josh Linden
joshlinden.bsky.social
There is a lot to say about that state-owned highway, and state-owned highways in general that go through urban and residential areas. None of it is good
joshlinden.bsky.social
The International Energy Agency forecasts renewables to double generation capacity in the next 5 years. But...their report also dramatically lowered the outlook for the US, revising downward their renewables forecast by 50%

Imagine what we could do if we weren't self-sabotaging
Renewables 2025 – Analysis - IEA
Renewables 2025 - Analysis and key findings. A report by the International Energy Agency.
www.iea.org
joshlinden.bsky.social
Really hopeful trends. As of mid-2025, solar and wind (combined) made up a larger share of global electricity generation than coal for the first time on record

Just as notable - the growth of solar + wind outpaced rising electricity demand. I wonder how long they can maintain that pace...
Global Electricity Mid-Year Insights 2025 | Ember
Solar and wind outpaced demand growth in the first half of 2025, as renewables overtook coal’s share in the global electricity mix.
ember-energy.org
joshlinden.bsky.social
With everything going on (*gesticulates wildly in every direction*), woke up very thankful to have @bannermoco.bsky.social add to the chorus of local news voices in MoCo, including Bethesda Mag, @sourceofthespring.com, @themocoshow.bsky.social, @mymcmedia.bsky.social, @adampagnucco.bsky.social, etc
joshlinden.bsky.social
One of the best places to watch a match in all of America
donaldparker.bsky.social
Over 21,000 at a Portland Thorns women's soccer match last night in Portland, Oregon.

Nope, not a war zone.

#thisisportland
joshlinden.bsky.social
Finally made it over to the newly renovated Caroline Freeland park. Fun & biiig play area, blend of active & social areas, tables with built in shade umbrellas (!), walkable from lunch, and overall good vibes on an autumn weekend morning. 10/10 kid approved

Awesome job @montgomeryparks.bsky.social!
Play area Tables with shade umbrellas Nice vibes Good space to run around
Reposted by Josh Linden
taylorgriggs.bsky.social
This article has a lot more important problems so I feel stupid saying this…but umm…the Mercury wrote and published the first major article about the DSA councilors back in June. Of course it isn’t the local reporting linked or mentioned here.
What Happens When Socialists Are in Charge? Portland Offers a Glimpse.
www.nytimes.com
joshlinden.bsky.social
If these people feel so deeply connected to snow, boy are they gonna be upset when they hear about climate change

...right?
michaelhobbes.bsky.social
lmao the abrupt segue at 1.15
mugrimm.bsky.social
An entire generation of dumbs are getting themselves worked up into a fascist frenzy over inaccurate nostalgia videos they know are complete false and it is terrifying hot profoundly strong these feelings are for them despite being very aware it's fake and bullshit.
joshlinden.bsky.social
Legalizing diverse housing types of course doesn't guarantee they will be built, and property owners get to decide what happens on their land

Except that right now, many property owners who want to welcome more neighbors - or perhaps their kids, parents, or friends - can't make that decision at all
joshlinden.bsky.social
I think this helps crystallize a bit of what we lose with exclusionary zoning. Fewer people have the opportunity to live in an area that facilitates a more environmentally friendly, accessible, convenient, and affordable lifestyle ...

*and*

Neighborhoods become less income diverse over time
joshlinden.bsky.social
Under the status quo, the most that can happen is splitting the lot to allow one additional SFH, which is by far the most expensive housing type in the area

So this downtown-proximate lot has a current capacity of + 1 *very* expensive unit. Rather than +4 or +8 (or more) less expensive units
joshlinden.bsky.social
I walked past a lot today that would be perfect for infill middle housing

Single detached house on a 200 ft-long lot, on a neighborhood greenway just a block from a downtown area. Perfect for car-lite living. Could fit multiplexes, THs, or even small apts

But its zoning won't allow any of that
Reposted by Josh Linden
kylewalker.bsky.social
The US Census website / data.census.gov are down. R users, however, can still access data:

- Geographies (via FTP): tigris github.com/walkerke/...

- Decennial / ACS with geographies: tidycensus walker-data.com/tidy...

- All datasets: censusapi www.hrecht.com/censu...
Reposted by Josh Linden
hillfamilybiking.org
Inside the Hill Family Biking Kingman Island Friends & Family Ride #BikeSky
joshlinden.bsky.social
One of the biggest problems cities (and urban areas in their orbit) have today is that many of the people who want to live in them - and benefit from all of the wonderful things they provide - cannot afford to do so
joshlinden.bsky.social
We need more people to state unequivocally, and proudly, that cities are great. That they are wonderful areas of opportunity, of rich culture, of innovation and creativity, and of high quality living. Because they are!
joshlinden.bsky.social
Cities (and urban areas generally) consistently get thrown under the bus in the right-left culture wars - but beyond that, many left-leaning people also contribute to the narrative that cities are problematic (if not inherently so, then in practice today). Even people who live in or near them!
joshlinden.bsky.social
About 71 million people live in small cities alone (25k - 100k pop), or 21% of the country

Another 37 million in medium cities (up to 250k), and 63 million in large cities

Altogether that's over half of the US population - which doesn't even count city-adjacent suburbs (urbanized areas)
jamellebouie.net
really need to emphasize the small cities part. i have mentioned this before, but you'll see people on facebook talk about charlottesville like its ridley scott's mogadishu
faineg.bsky.social
the amount of raw, unadulterated fear that many Americans have of even small cities is never going to stop being darkly hilarious to me
joshlinden.bsky.social
"...the questioning is typically brief, and those individuals may promptly go free after making clear to the immigration officers that they are US citizens or otherwise legally in the US"
kyledcheney.bsky.social
JUST IN: A U.S. citizen from Alabama who has been detained twice by ICE while working at a construction site, has filed a class action suit claiming ICE's broad warrantless arrest powers violate the constitution. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
joshlinden.bsky.social
Lower/slower traffic = better neighborhoods. Especially for kids, as research shows that consistent exposure to higher levels of noise can impact brain development. And for older folks, there are increasing connections with cognitive decline and dementia
joshlinden.bsky.social
Exactly, and anyone who's lived on or near a road with lots of car traffic intuitively understands this

Much of the dominant noise from motor vehicles going > 25mph is from tires on the road (rare exceptions for cars with old engines or modified exhaust)
holz-bau.bsky.social
if you read my book you'd already know this

cities aren't loud - cars are loud. SUVs are louder. and yes that includes EVs.

want quieter cities?

replace diesel trucks w/ EVs
replace delivery vans w/ e-cargo bikes
low traffic neighborhoods and modal filters everywhere