Amsterdam: historic images depicting a transition from cars to bikes in the city centre

Last week, I posted an image depicting city streets as deep chasms leading into abyss. An image by Karl Jilg for the Swedish Road Association to rethink urban road design. One city close to my heart, Amsterdam, has worked to reduce these abysses over the years – turning parking lots and arterials into spaces for cafés, bicycles, people…… Read More Amsterdam: historic images depicting a transition from cars to bikes in the city centre

11/01/201612/02/2016 jenniferlenhart3 Comments

Cars versus people: depicting battles over urban public space

No one likes to sit in traffic, and city traffic is the worst. But equally, when we step out of the car (or hopefully off the bus or metro) in a city, our pedestrian activities remain dictated by cars. We can only cross at designated points; we wait for traffic lights to cross the street – hopefully still… Read More Cars versus people: depicting battles over urban public space

04/01/201601/03/2016 jenniferlenhart5 Comments

Milwaukee: Cycling Santas Welcome the Holiday Season

On Christmas Eve, Santa is a busy man – taking his (hopefully eco & star-powered) sleigh pole-to-pole and across oceans and continents. If you want to know his exact location, Norad and Google offer ‘Santa tracker sites’ to follow The Claus. Yes, this is a busy man and many families eagerly anticipate his arrival. On his off-time though, Santa has been… Read More Milwaukee: Cycling Santas Welcome the Holiday Season

07/12/201512/02/2016 jenniferlenhartLeave a comment

Copenhagen Urban Innovations: Smart. Sustainable. Spatially-saavy.

Copenhagen is one of the world’s most sustainable cities. It’s famous for its organic and local food procurement, its cycling culture, its public planning, and its climate change adaptation efforts (see Copenhagen Climate Adaptation Plan). This city is too inspiring for a single blog post, and indeed I’ve written about it several times before. Still,… Read More Copenhagen Urban Innovations: Smart. Sustainable. Spatially-saavy.

28/10/201510/08/2016 jenniferlenhart2 Comments

Istanbul: Past, present, future

Sitting in the middle, somewhere in between: Between a history of empires and a present booming growth, Between traditional cultures and modern trends, Between continents, Between religions, Between adherence to regimes and civil society movements, Between the transitions of civilization. Perhaps this is the appeal of this magic city: the intrigue, the mystery, the perplexity it reflects,… Read More Istanbul: Past, present, future

21/07/201512/02/2016 jenniferlenhart6 Comments

Amsterdam cool: the cyclists’ reign

Following on other cycling posts in my adopted city, here is one of my favorite video clips, entitled, The Cyclists, depicting the “Amsterdam cool…” By bike. In all seasons. And all forms of cyclists. Just can’t get enough…

03/06/201501/03/2016 jenniferlenhart1 Comment

Bangkok: hustle, bustle and unexpected secrets

I was recently in Bangkok for a meeting of the Montreal Protocol (governing substances that deplete the ozone layer) held at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific campus. The weeklong event meant my exposure to this city of 7 million was limited to the areas between the UN campus… Read More Bangkok: hustle, bustle and unexpected secrets

21/05/201501/03/2016 jenniferlenhart2 Comments

Hanoi: synergy in chaos

In March I submitted my PhD, entitled, Urban Climate Governance: The Role of Local Authorities. To celebrate, I took a spontaneous trip to Hanoi, Vietnam – booking a ticket on a Friday to leave that Sunday. Admittedly extravagant, it was a lovely way to celebrate such a milestone. I’ve always been enchanted by images of Vietnamese landscapes, and with… Read More Hanoi: synergy in chaos

28/04/201527/09/2016 jenniferlenhart2 Comments

Fossil free divestment: coming to a city near you

On 13 and 14 February 2015, representatives from 450 cities in 60 countries marched, sang, danced, cycled and otherwise celebrated Global Divestment Day, making a public statement to encourage or proclaim to divest from fossil fuels. Amsterdam was one of those cities, showing off a little planetary love at this Valentines Day event. What is divestment?… Read More Fossil free divestment: coming to a city near you

26/02/201521/03/2016 jenniferlenhartLeave a comment

Utrecht in high heels: kayaking through history and seasons

I’m a child of late summer evenings, but equally a fan of the coming autumn chill. The air is crisper, justifying the second (or third) cup of lazy morning coffee waiting for the sun to show itself and warm the day. I love wool and eagerly await the chance to pull my favourite sweaters out… Read More Utrecht in high heels: kayaking through history and seasons

30/11/201412/08/2016 jenniferlenhartLeave a comment

The Urban Observer

The everyday life & surprises of living an urban existence

Category: People Watching