Smog eating concrete

If you just so happen to be visiting the Italian Pavilion of the architecture exhibition in the Venice Biennale between now and November 19th you might notice that the air seems a little bit crisper, the sky a little bit clearer or you may just notice the demonstration of concrete that utilizes titanium dioxide that when exposed to light (natural or artificial) can break down nitrogen oxide, benzene and carbon monoxide in a difficult to pronounce chemical process called Photocatalysis. So far measurable affects have been rather impressive with a 45-60% reduction in nitric oxides. The concrete doesn't magically sequester or destroy the smog creating compounds but rather breaks them down into relatively less harmful compounds of carbon dioxide, nitrates and water. It would seem to me to be a perfect material to build urban planters out of.

The "smog-eating cement" (known in Italy as "cemento mangiasmog" - by Italcementi ) is a patented technology which of course demands a premium price, however the actual smog eating cement need only be applied to the exposed surface material of the building, sidewalk, etc.

Paving blocks may cost up to a third more the traditional materials however the cost of upgrading a facade (the article did not mention it they meant upgrading an EXISTING facade with a screed, etc. but I suppose that would be possible) would demand a relatively small cost.

Besides decreasing atmospheric pollution the concrete would also preserve the building's appearance as it prevents build-up or discoloring and corrosive material.

Definitely not something that we should expect would alone save our cities and atmosphere but instead this represents a material that would help and provides multiple advantages for any urban environment. Sidewalks, roads and building facades present an incredible amount of surface area in any inhabited environment and increases proportionally with density, mirroring automobile traffic and pollution creation. While I would rather see a city lined with trees and covered in green roofs I can definitely adjust my Utopian "clean(er)" city to welcome the wonderfully plastic material of a smog eating concrete.

Cite your source: Businessweek

Things to do in Boulder when you're dead (and being carbon sequestered)

In a moved that is no doubt surprising people that hate taxes Boulder, Colorado the country's first anti global warming municipal carbon tax. That is right, the city of Boulder, Colorado decided to tax themselves (based upon electricity used) a whopping $.0022 per kWh.

Estimates say that Issue 202 will raise the annual electric bill per household $16 to $20 dollars and around $46 annual increase for businesses.

The people of Boulder hope to raise $1,000,000 (That is one million smackers, American) that will be collected by the utility Xcel Energy who will put the funds towards "energy audits". These energy audits will advise property owners (maybe some renters too) how to save energy by utilizing more efficient lighting, better insulation and more energy efficient equipment/electronics.

Most of Boulder's electricity is produced via coal and those in Boulder who opt for green power (such as wind power) will not be subject to this tax.

Boulder is rather progressive when it comes to environmental issues after adapting the Kyoto Protocol (remember that one, the agreement most industrialized countries signed but not the good ol' US because we didn't believe in global warming?) and even created their own gigantic 71 page Climate Action Plan (available in pdf).

I have to admit to being a little bit jealous. I think these resident proposed and created environmental plans not only make a lot of sense but as more and more municipalities start holding themselves accountable the outlook for everyone starts to look a little bit brighter. I am a little disappointed that Boulder is getting their power from a coal plant in the first place but I shall not throw stones as I live in Ohio and even with our proliferation of nuclear power plants I know we still have plenty of coal going up into the air around here.

Hopefully this will act as inspiration and incentive to all those cities out there that are looking for ways to sell themselves as a more progressive, environmental city without too much of a tax (industry would cringe at this though) and create a plan that would put money back into energy incentives. Boulder hopes to save over $63 million in the long term. As long as the "long term" is less then 63 years, they might just come out ahead.

Cite yer source
Thanks to the lovely Marjie for sending this one along.

Congratulations: Viktor Schreckengost

Congratulations to Cleveland Height's Viktor Schreckengost as he will receive the 2006 National Medal of Arts, the highest award given to artists and art patrons by the United States Government.

Viktor Schreckengost is an amazing man and has probably touched every single American's life in one way or another whether we have used a product he designed or have seen his art in a museum. Recently he celebrated his 100th birthday and the Viktor Schreckengost Foundation exhibited more then 100 works spread out among all 50 states.

On a local level his birthday was celebrated in Cain Park and was attended by the birthday guest and a rather large crowd.

Schrekengost graduated from the Cleveland School of Arts and eventually became a teacher there (Cleveland School of Arts became Cleveland Institute of Art) where he founded the nation's first school of industrial design.

A perfect example of a homegrown hero who's desire for innovation and invention has shaped and inspired millions, Viktor Schrekengost followed his own passions and constantly strove to create for his fellow inhabitants. I admit he is somewhat of a personal hero to me and I just wanted to do my part to say thanks and spread the word so that others could also find inspiration.

Slate: Eight Week Carbon Diet

There has been a lot of personal soul searching lately. I suppose part of it stems from espousing the virtue of a "green" lifestyle coupled with the constant bombardment of realizing the impact and breadth of why I decided to study and become what I have. Recently I have had the chance to feel the sort of motivation needed to finally sit for my LEED exam and have been exposed to a work environment that is allowing me to finally carry on the sort of conversations about social responsibility and design, history and language that has been missing since I left the safety of the academic womb that was University.

I suppose another cause is realizing that I am finally reaching an age where the path that I begin to take should be one that I deliberately set and if I am sure upon what I feel I need to do then I should knock off the screwing around and actually do it. It isn't as if there is an awful lot of sacrifice involved.

Alas, that could actually be the problem.

I could go on and list my blessings but instead I will keep this moving along the semi-profession vein I attempted to set when I started this blasted thing. Last week sometime it dawned on me that I miss some of the simple pleasures such as cooking and experimenting with food, growing vegetables and herbs and generally studying cities. I made some bold statements such as "I will attempt to begin a 150 mile diet in Cleveland in the winter" and "I will cut my carbon footprint".

The diet is taking some time. I admit I am almost at a total loss of where to start. Google, I suppose will help a little bit, and there is research, which scares me a little bit. Oh, what horrible truths will I learn?

Cutting the carbon footprint should be pretty easy, especially when there is the possibility of PRIZES. Slate e-zine is trying to motivate some of us to go on a large scale 8-week carbon diet with the goal of individuals cutting their carbon footprint by 20%. I know this might not sound that hard, but it is going to be winter and 8 weeks takes us into 2007 (criminy, I can't remember to even write 2006 on checks...), with all the cold weather, horrible bike riding weather, bundled up cold as the dickens weather we can possibly stand to bear. This means more car driving and idling as it warms up, furnaces and space heaters on full blast, dark afternoons with lights blazing huddled in the living room watching the TV or hunched over our computers, and hot cocoa. Lots of electricity for hot cocoa.

It won't be easy but I will try it. I am a sucker for a free T-shirt and Treehugger.com is a co-sponsor and I secretly think I want their approval.

So if you are up for a challenge, one that can encompass every aspect of your life from home to work and everything inbetwixt while attempting to do something better for the world maybe you too would like to try to win a free shirt and join me on the carbon diet. I swear, the spokesperson is cooler then Jared.

Nov. 7th, Cleveland. Diebold impressions.

It actually went pretty well. I showed up at my usual time (8-ish, before work) and was the fourth person in line at a polling station that had 3 new fangled machines. Everyone moved along at a pretty brisk pace and the machines seemed actually easy to operate, even for the elderly and those with vision impairments.

I was rather nervous, making sure that I highlighted the correct selection. I even went back a couple of times to make sure. Then, at the end I again went back to check my previous verification. I think HBO made me a little bit nervous. Attached to my voting machine was a printer (sounded like a dot matrix) that printed out my selection at the very end. This is the only discrepancy I have found between polling stations. Some printers printed out your selection as soon as your choice was made however at our station (or maybe it was just my machine) there was a preview screen that let me go through all my selections and then print out the report page by page.

Regardless, the paper trail alleviated a lot of my unease (of course they could just throw them out at the end of the day) and I feel pretty good about the process as a whole. Now I can't wait to hear the results in the polls as they trickle in.

I love the new "I voted today" sticker. First because it says on it "vote your conscience" which makes me wonder how many people take that to heart but the mere suggestion that a little round sticker can help people make the right choices sort of makes me grin. Then there is "change our world". Indeed. Change it indeed. We need change, progress, solutions. We are going to need them more then ever in the near future. Lastly there is an image of the earth in the background. This seems partisan to me but since I am a treehugger I really don't mind. I suppose if it was partisan then there are stickers out there with dollar bills on it too.

I wonder if the average American thinks about their midterm election decision and how it affects the entire world? I wonder how many people even noticed that the earth was on their little sticker?

Oh well, it is done. Over with. Fini. Time to start gearing up for the next one.

2006 Nov. 10th: Tremont ArtWalk

Friday, November 10th, 2006
Tremont ArtWalk
Tremont, OH
6pm - 10pm

Well kids, it is almost that time of the month again. The second Friday is coming up and that can only mean one thing, time for another Tremont Art Walk. Last month led to a good time, some fun photos (that I am probably not allowed to share) and some hand holding due to the very chilly weather. Well, it seems like the weather for this Friday will be better so I expect to see more of you out there looking at art goodies and taking in the wonderful Tremont vibe.

I promise to try and take some photos of stuff I can share for the next Tremont ArtWalk post. And yes, there will be one. Its a staple.

Hacking Democracy

Well folks, tomorrow is the big day, and by big day I mean the day that you get to wake up earlier, roll your butt out of bed and make the ever important decision. Delicious waffles or good for you oatmeal.

No, I mean whether or not you are going to trudge to your polling place (local?) and partake in the great American game of pretending that you can make a difference and your opinion matters.

I am attempting to only appear sarcastic and mildly bitter. I actually believe that every vote counts and that people should spend the time to research the issues and walk down to their polling station and actually vote their conscience. I know there has been stuff all over |some| of the news about the faults of the Diebold voting machines and how 80% of the national voting public will be using extremely susceptible machines. I have heard through the grapevine that there are even some incredibly scary and damning television/web programs about this very issue. Some of which Diebold does not want you to see OR believe.

There are some precautions you can take. Double check your results. Then double check your double check. Then make sure again. Then, just walk away and try not to worry about it. Try not to dwell on whomever is responsible for letting the system get this way, don't let fear color your vote. Chances are you probably did that two years ago.

Anyway, you might as well watch the HBO special, at least to prime yourself for the upcoming weeks when the outcome will no doubt plaster every media outlet you can get your little paws on and even more bickering (akin to 2004) will seep into every nuance of your day.

Oh the humanity!

Perusing, perusing, always perusing.

I feel sort of bad about becoming one of those places that just regurgitates little tidbits instead of taking the time and effort to really come forth with some grandiose opinions. I promise to try more.

While checking the interwebbernet for backstory to the Chinatown post I stumbled across a wonderful little Cleveland resource, a website devoted to Lost Cleveland Postcards. Besides offering wonderful past imagery of our favorite little burg, they are also available as "e-cards" and some of the postcards have backstory themselves, offering little tastes of a cityscape long gone.

Sometimes during conversation with Bradley over at Design Rag one of us will find some sort of Cleveland imagery or little bit of regalia and sort of wonder at how simple yet exquisite the old ideas were. I think we are both sort of are lost in the grandeur that downtown once had and conversations are long and sinuous regarding how to bring our fair town back from the precipice.

I know that there are many such resources for archived imagery of Cleveland's past including (and not at all limited to)

Cleveland Digital Library
Cleveland Skyscrapers (I already brought that up)
and of course Cleveland State University's archive which is somewhere on their site, I can't find it just now.

There are more. If you have any suggestions send them right along. I would love to know about them and create a nice succint list for other people to go through.