Karl Baker

cities / design / architecture / political economy / landscape / environment / transport / urban manufacturing

[Karl Baker @karlsbaker]

Why transport planning for #walking is different -
reflections on recent work I've done for the City of #Melbourne with @burgess_steven @BranwellTravers @kentslundberg https://t.co/YyPPEmsLah

[Karl Baker @karlsbaker]

@tim12rob Did just that combo the other day!

[Karl Baker @karlsbaker]

@kentslundberg Definitely an overall ageing across the whole country. Zooming out there’s only a few pockets across the country where numbers of under 15 y.o growing

[Karl Baker @karlsbaker]

Decline in central Auckland's population 2018-2023 is even steeper among young people...families leaving the city?

[Karl Baker @karlsbaker]

@morganfrnchstgg Great tool btw. Harapaki , just opened wind farm making a decent contribution too

[Karl Baker @karlsbaker]

@morganfrnchstgg Whirinaki diesel generators fired up briefly last night

[Karl Baker @karlsbaker]

@morganfrnchstgg Looks like hydro doing all the flex this morning

[LSE Cities @LSECities]

With many European cities (as well as countries) going to the polls this year, look back at our blog by Catarina Heeckt & @ripafran about the divisive discourses and increasing polarisation surrounding the green transition.

@LSEEuroppblog

https://t.co/t204sl4Gcx

[Alice Ferguson @aliceplayingout]

There is a growing consensus about what children need: more play, physical activity, time outdoors and social contact; less screen-time, less pressure, less anxiety. I see new books/reports on this almost every day. 1/4

[Karl Baker @karlsbaker]

Terrible reporting by @nzherald on recession. No explanation of why, just uncritical parroting of PM’s sound bites. No counter voices

[Karl Baker @karlsbaker]

@TheGradyConnell Interesting images. ToD not really happening. Lots of new roads though- e.g. Panmure

[Karl Baker @karlsbaker]

@StuartBDonovan But hopefully there are some economies of scale coming through

[Karl Baker @karlsbaker]

@StuartBDonovan Auckland’s rates don’t include water (unlike most councils). Heard watercare charges going up something like 24%

[Karl Baker @karlsbaker]

@StuartBDonovan Short-term impacts of this policy = fatter bank balances for landlords. Likely long-term impacts: lower home ownership rates, higher house prices, rich people get richer

[Karl Baker @karlsbaker]

@StuartBDonovan Disagree. Wouldn't this only increase physical supply of rentals by either a) encouraging more new builds for rent or b) shifting houses from homeowners to landlords? (a) was dealt with by the existing carve-out for new builds and (b) is not a great outcome.

[Rory Hyde @roryhyde]

Brilliant stuff from @AlastairParvin unpacking the counter-intuitive logic that governs the housing market. (It’s about debt, not supply). https://t.co/ubooWaOOf8

[David Zipper @DavidZipper]

Earth Day reminder that *any* form of urban transport is greener than using ridehail or a taxi, even if the vehicle is electric.

Chart from the OECD: https://t.co/XvYNN8y7KQ

[Jago Dodson @urbanizationist]

My blog has been defunct for a couple of years, but as an attempt to get it going again here's a new post on the newly announced renovation subsidy, extending my recent tweet: https://t.co/nbHCLCMnZl

[NACTO @NACTO]

Street space in cities is limited. Here's what we can do with it.

[Karl Baker @karlsbaker]

@StuartBDonovan Yep, carrot+stick for mode shift. Thinking in Auckland's case, recent success in mode shift to PT has been largely carrot-driven (better supply side), although some ad-hoc pricing sticks have probably been v useful; AT's city centre parking charges, regional fuel tax...

[Karl Baker @karlsbaker]

@StuartBDonovan Other thing Litman suggests is: "Travel tends to be more price sensitive if travelers have better options, including different routes, modes and destinations". So supply side investment in PT, active mode alternatives increases the effectiveness of pricing car travel...

[Karl Baker @karlsbaker]

@StuartBDonovan Good answer! Yes that makes sense: parking prices, workplace parking levies etc do seem very good second-best policies given the complexities of implementing road pricing