Breakfast links: Good tech, bad tech
Paris loosens height limit
Paris has vastly increased its height cap for new construction in an effort to increase density inside the city limits. Before this sparks a new round of Malouff v. Avent v. Yglesias, it’s worth noting that the increase only applies to the city’s outer arrondissements. (Treehugger, Bradley Soule) (Tip: Bradley Soule)
Solar panels face obstacles
An UrbanTurf author’s attempt to have solar panels installed on the roof of his condo revealed that despite tantalizing tax incentives to do so, homeowners’ associations can represent an even bigger hurdle. (UrbanTurf)
VRE moving on Wi-Fi
VRE will soon issue a request for proposals to install wireless internet routers in some of its train cars. The agency hopes to offer free Wi-Fi by springtime. (Dr. Gridlock)
GPS use may hinder memory
A new set of studies uncovered findings that could indicate frequent use of GPS may reduce the use of spatial-orientation methods, which in turn leads to reduced hippocampus activity. (Discovery)
Reactions to C100 v. GGW
Blogs continue to debate the significance of our fight with the Committee of 100. BeyondDC calls it a generational divide, which Grist picks up. Adam Voiland criticizes the C100 letter for a “lack of rigor.” And in a Palinesque argument, Gary Imhoff paints everyone who disagrees with him as not a real resident.
Arlington Trader Joe’s gets dedicated parking
The Arlington County Board has approved certain site plan amendments to clear the way for Trader Joe’s in Clarendon. The store will get 70 dedicated parking spaces for customers until 10 PM, despite our arguing against exclusive parking for the store. (People Powered Arlington)
Tysons Black Friday now and future
It would be pretty hard to get to Tysons for Black Friday this year any way other than by car, but in 10 and 20 years, it’ll get better. (TBD)
NYC rolls back bike lanes
New York’s DOT, which has championed sustainable transportation infrastructure over the last several years, has recently rolled back some of its plans, declining to extend one lane in Manhattan, and fully removing another from a highway on Staten Island in response to complaints from drivers. (Gothamist)
And…
Why won’t the US get high speed rail like the Chinese? Because the US isn’t China, says Megan McArdle. Duh. (The Atlantic) … With a new President, will the UMD get on board the Campus Drive Purple Line? (All Opinions are Local, Joey) … The century-old Longfellow Bridge, connecting downtown Boston across the Charles River to Cambridge, may get a major boost in bike and pedestrian capacity. (Boston Globe)