Sidewalk Talk
Where technologists and urbanists discuss the future of cities. The official blog of Sidewalk Labs.
PMX 15, Part 2: How to manufacture high-design, low-carbon timber buildings
PMX 15, Part 2: How to manufacture high-design, low-carbon timber buildings
In the second PMX 15 post, we describe how we preserved production efficiency and sustainability without sacrificing a building’s beauty.
PMX 15, Part 1: How to design a timber building to code in a seismic region
PMX 15, Part 1: How to design a timber building to code in a seismic region
In the first part of our PMX 15 series, we describe the design choices that would help our timber building withstand a major earthquake.
Introducing PMX 15: Our model for a mid-rise timber building
Introducing PMX 15: Our model for a mid-rise timber building
This two-part blog series unpacks key findings for a 15-story mass timber model based in Seattle.
Introducing Pebble: A low-cost way to manage parking and curbs
Introducing Pebble: A low-cost way to manage parking and curbs
Real-time insights can help garage and lot operators, real estate developers, and municipal agencies make the most of existing parking…
A new care model for those that need it most
A new care model for those that need it most
A Sidewalk Talk Q&A with Cityblock Health’s Co-Founder and President, Dr. Toyin Ajayi
The future of curb space is about much more than parking
The future of curb space is about much more than parking
A Sidewalk Talk Q&A with Coord CEO Stephen Smyth.
Getting the carbon out of construction
Getting the carbon out of construction
Cities have made great strides lowering energy consumption in new buildings. Vancouver is taking the next step: reducing embodied…
The post-Covid need for transformable living space
The post-Covid need for transformable living space
A Sidewalk Talk Q&A with Ori CEO Hasier Larrea
The future of roads is all about safety
The future of roads is all about safety
A Sidewalk Talk Q&A with Cavnue Chief Safety Officer Nicole Neeson
The technology that will transform — maybe even future-proof — our roads
The technology that will transform — maybe even future-proof — our roads
A Sidewalk Talk Q&A with Cavnue CEO Tyler Duvall
Buffalo ended parking requirements. What did developers do next?
Buffalo ended parking requirements. What did developers do next?
A sweeping zoning reform gave rise to mixed-use, transit-oriented projects with far less parking than they would have had before. But…
The key to getting AVs on the roads? The roads themselves
The key to getting AVs on the roads? The roads themselves
A Sidewalk Talk Q&A with Cavnue’s CTO Jaime Waydo about the missing piece in the self-driving puzzle.
The next big energy showdown is over all-electric neighborhoods
The next big energy showdown is over all-electric neighborhoods
As more cities ban natural gas in new development, more states move to ban the bans.
A story-filled stroll through Manhattan with the one, the only “Gridlock Sam”
A story-filled stroll through Manhattan with the one, the only “Gridlock Sam”
In Part 2 of our Q&A, New York City transportation legend Sam Schwartz discusses the past, and exciting future, of city streets.
The strongest evidence yet that parking spaces cause more driving
The strongest evidence yet that parking spaces cause more driving
New research offers an important lesson on how urban design shapes people’s behaviors.
Talking streets with New York City transportation legend Sam Schwartz
Talking streets with New York City transportation legend Sam Schwartz
During his decades in government, “Gridlock Sam” survived the whims of changing administrations by harnessing the power of design and data.
This Mesopotamian city was a hotbed of innovation — and a cautionary tale
This Mesopotamian city was a hotbed of innovation — and a cautionary tale
At least three transformative ideas trace their origins back to the historic, once-thriving city of Uruk. But innovations must be wielded…
The evidence for raising a city’s minimum wage
The evidence for raising a city’s minimum wage
Research increasingly shows that local living wage laws help workers without harming jobs — and could potentially help create more…