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Daily archives: December 4, 2007
Beware of low flying Volvos
A driver has managed to launch his car off a roundabout and land it in a first floor flat 100 feet away. The Volvo driver was killed, but his 9 year old son, who was in the car with him, survived with only minor injuries.
Money for the Pump Cage
The Pump Cage is the mini skate park under the Mancunian Way to which skateboarders where exiled a few years ago because they dared to use the city centre for interesting things other than spending money. It sounds like it’s been more successful than I expected and now it’s won funding for lights and a power supply for the on site office.
I still think skating facilities should have been provided closer to the centre, but good for them anyway.
L'Enfer
Time to brush up on your French and pop over to Paris. The Bibliotheque Nationale is opening its collection of porn and erotica to the public.
The “Enfer” section of the Bibliotheque Nationale – books and prints and photographs purchased, confiscated or donated over almost two centuries – is believed to be one of the largest and richest collections of pornographic and erotic materials in the world. The Vatican’s secret stash is said to be even larger but that, presumably, will never be opened to the public.
West Banksy
Banksy’s been at it again in Bethlehem, graffitiing the security wall.
Chicago's green alleys
Chicago, which claims to have more square miles of alleyway than any other city, is starting to pave them with permeable materials that will reduce run off and cut the heat island effect. They’ll also be installing low energy lighting. The initial costs are greater than just relaying concrete or tarmac but cut the risk of flooded basements and other knock on effects.
Perhaps the scheme could be extended to pavement outside the ally and other pedestrian areas. Far too many of the pavements around here drain off into huge puddles on roads or where there are dips. Take it another step further and let’s have rules that require these materials be used in domestic paving to mitigate all the short sightedconcreting of front lawns that’s become so prevalent.
via Common sense Agriculture, Conservation and Energy
Technorati tag: Drainage