Borners
@borners.bsky.social
Transit Costs Project Researcher
英国基進主義者 (English state buildingism...its better in the Sino-Japanese).
Profile pic is Nagasawa Ryosetsu's picture of Crane (the virtuous man) staring at your soul.
英国基進主義者 (English state buildingism...its better in the Sino-Japanese).
Profile pic is Nagasawa Ryosetsu's picture of Crane (the virtuous man) staring at your soul.
Pinned
Borners
@borners.bsky.social
· Oct 17
This Himeji city's current land use plan, 6 sides of A4 for a city of 500,000 people, an industrial city with Japan's largest intact castle west of Osaka. Use rights, FAR ratios, light-rights, set-back all, here.
If your city plan can't be summarised like this, you have to ask why.
If your city plan can't be summarised like this, you have to ask why.
Reposted by Borners
Some cities have added far more jobs than others over the past decade 📈
This blog explores where job growth has been strongest, and how it links to rising incomes👇
buff.ly/VCgXn9k
This blog explores where job growth has been strongest, and how it links to rising incomes👇
buff.ly/VCgXn9k
February 3, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Some cities have added far more jobs than others over the past decade 📈
This blog explores where job growth has been strongest, and how it links to rising incomes👇
buff.ly/VCgXn9k
This blog explores where job growth has been strongest, and how it links to rising incomes👇
buff.ly/VCgXn9k
1. Separatist parties are always separatist first anything else 2nd.
2. Quebec was social democratic because that meant Anglo-Canada paid them equalisation not the other way round.
3. FPTP forces separatists towards 1 ideological shade unlike in say Spain, but its usually skin deep.
2. Quebec was social democratic because that meant Anglo-Canada paid them equalisation not the other way round.
3. FPTP forces separatists towards 1 ideological shade unlike in say Spain, but its usually skin deep.
i like explaining to Americans that the former social democratic separatist party in Quebec is now bitching about woke pronouns and bathrooms in schools
www.journaldequebec.com/2023/09/12/p...
www.journaldequebec.com/2023/09/12/p...
February 3, 2026 at 4:40 PM
1. Separatist parties are always separatist first anything else 2nd.
2. Quebec was social democratic because that meant Anglo-Canada paid them equalisation not the other way round.
3. FPTP forces separatists towards 1 ideological shade unlike in say Spain, but its usually skin deep.
2. Quebec was social democratic because that meant Anglo-Canada paid them equalisation not the other way round.
3. FPTP forces separatists towards 1 ideological shade unlike in say Spain, but its usually skin deep.
Reposted by Borners
broke: The Chinese economy will explode into nothing very soon
woke: It's unclear to me how economic organization in China differs from Japan or Korea, if not being outright worse, which is fine for now but will become a problem in the next 10-20 years.
woke: It's unclear to me how economic organization in China differs from Japan or Korea, if not being outright worse, which is fine for now but will become a problem in the next 10-20 years.
February 3, 2026 at 3:07 AM
broke: The Chinese economy will explode into nothing very soon
woke: It's unclear to me how economic organization in China differs from Japan or Korea, if not being outright worse, which is fine for now but will become a problem in the next 10-20 years.
woke: It's unclear to me how economic organization in China differs from Japan or Korea, if not being outright worse, which is fine for now but will become a problem in the next 10-20 years.
The need for bill exists for a reason if an outdated one.
Allowing criminals to keep titles historically was about avoiding politicisation of the courts. Additionally bad memories of Attainder process bypassing courts using Parliamentary Sovereignty.
US has waay more of these weirdo privileges.
Allowing criminals to keep titles historically was about avoiding politicisation of the courts. Additionally bad memories of Attainder process bypassing courts using Parliamentary Sovereignty.
US has waay more of these weirdo privileges.
I'm sorry but it's very funny to me that the legislature of a G7/P5 country of 70 million is currently drafting the "Fuck This One Guy in Particular Act of 2026."
Also, imagine tolerating a system of privilege so entrenched you need to rewrite centuries-old rules just to get at one douchebag.
Also, imagine tolerating a system of privilege so entrenched you need to rewrite centuries-old rules just to get at one douchebag.
UK govt drafting legislation to remove Mandelson peerage, has referred information to the police www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cl...
February 3, 2026 at 3:33 PM
The need for bill exists for a reason if an outdated one.
Allowing criminals to keep titles historically was about avoiding politicisation of the courts. Additionally bad memories of Attainder process bypassing courts using Parliamentary Sovereignty.
US has waay more of these weirdo privileges.
Allowing criminals to keep titles historically was about avoiding politicisation of the courts. Additionally bad memories of Attainder process bypassing courts using Parliamentary Sovereignty.
US has waay more of these weirdo privileges.
My aunt ran away from her rural Oz background to the 1980's London art world. She became friends with my mother and introduced my father, who had moved to Sweden to work in mining machinery.
My mother was English but raised in Canada/Switzerland, and ran away from Toronto "back" to London.
My mother was English but raised in Canada/Switzerland, and ran away from Toronto "back" to London.
Genuinely curious: if you're in Europe and have any migration background, what brought your family here?
Me: academic postdoc in Stockholm and research in Paris and then I ended up staying because I have EU citizenship through my yekke grandfather.
Me: academic postdoc in Stockholm and research in Paris and then I ended up staying because I have EU citizenship through my yekke grandfather.
February 3, 2026 at 3:14 PM
My aunt ran away from her rural Oz background to the 1980's London art world. She became friends with my mother and introduced my father, who had moved to Sweden to work in mining machinery.
My mother was English but raised in Canada/Switzerland, and ran away from Toronto "back" to London.
My mother was English but raised in Canada/Switzerland, and ran away from Toronto "back" to London.
This will work as well as all previous attempts to locate an industry in which Southern England has the potential to be a world leader somewhere that isn't Southern England.
After all its worked greater for cars, aerospace, finance, electronics, tourism, pharma (list continues ad infinitum).
After all its worked greater for cars, aerospace, finance, electronics, tourism, pharma (list continues ad infinitum).
"In the latest move in Labour’s drive to inject AI into Britain’s bloodstream, the government has announced three US tech companies ... have agreed to help as the council pushes to apply AI to local schools, hospitals, GPs and businesses in Barnsley" www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Barnsley rebranded UK’s first ‘tech town’ as US giants join AI push
Minister announces Microsoft, Cisco and Adobe to help apply AI to local schools, hospitals, GPs and businesses
www.theguardian.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:34 PM
This will work as well as all previous attempts to locate an industry in which Southern England has the potential to be a world leader somewhere that isn't Southern England.
After all its worked greater for cars, aerospace, finance, electronics, tourism, pharma (list continues ad infinitum).
After all its worked greater for cars, aerospace, finance, electronics, tourism, pharma (list continues ad infinitum).
Reposted by Borners
Reposted by Borners
Reposted by Borners
"Presumably, the PLA is a super smart organization full of highly wired Chinese technocrats who’ve been thinking very hard about all of these problems."
yeah sometimes you can, uh, really tell that Tooze isn't a China expert.
yeah sometimes you can, uh, really tell that Tooze isn't a China expert.
February 3, 2026 at 4:53 AM
"Presumably, the PLA is a super smart organization full of highly wired Chinese technocrats who’ve been thinking very hard about all of these problems."
yeah sometimes you can, uh, really tell that Tooze isn't a China expert.
yeah sometimes you can, uh, really tell that Tooze isn't a China expert.
Its pathetic. Greenford should be Overground a la Liberty Line in East London and you should be able to electrify it with a couple of million quid (n/b treasury you should have given this to Khan).
Always nice to see the Brits catching up with everyone else in Europe 😂
But I am sure putting batteries in a former 1960s built London Underground train will be "world leading" or some such 🎉
www.railjournal.com/technology/b...
But I am sure putting batteries in a former 1960s built London Underground train will be "world leading" or some such 🎉
www.railjournal.com/technology/b...
Battery train enters passenger service in Britain
British operator Great Western Railway has brought its class 230 battery train into passenger service, following 22 months of testing.
www.railjournal.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:05 PM
Its pathetic. Greenford should be Overground a la Liberty Line in East London and you should be able to electrify it with a couple of million quid (n/b treasury you should have given this to Khan).
Reposted by Borners
Always nice to see the Brits catching up with everyone else in Europe 😂
But I am sure putting batteries in a former 1960s built London Underground train will be "world leading" or some such 🎉
www.railjournal.com/technology/b...
But I am sure putting batteries in a former 1960s built London Underground train will be "world leading" or some such 🎉
www.railjournal.com/technology/b...
Battery train enters passenger service in Britain
British operator Great Western Railway has brought its class 230 battery train into passenger service, following 22 months of testing.
www.railjournal.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:46 AM
Always nice to see the Brits catching up with everyone else in Europe 😂
But I am sure putting batteries in a former 1960s built London Underground train will be "world leading" or some such 🎉
www.railjournal.com/technology/b...
But I am sure putting batteries in a former 1960s built London Underground train will be "world leading" or some such 🎉
www.railjournal.com/technology/b...
A response to @alonlevy.bsky.social Pedestrian Observations Post on the UK and centralisation.
I'm closer to Sam here, but I think the question is "does localisation get you to a competent public construction agency"? That's a country/context specific ask.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/is-central...
I'm closer to Sam here, but I think the question is "does localisation get you to a competent public construction agency"? That's a country/context specific ask.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/is-central...
Is centralisation to blame for Britain's high construction costs?
A response to Alon Levy of Transit Costs Project
www.samdumitriu.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:44 AM
A response to @alonlevy.bsky.social Pedestrian Observations Post on the UK and centralisation.
I'm closer to Sam here, but I think the question is "does localisation get you to a competent public construction agency"? That's a country/context specific ask.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/is-central...
I'm closer to Sam here, but I think the question is "does localisation get you to a competent public construction agency"? That's a country/context specific ask.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/is-central...
Reposted by Borners
I remember when Barnsley was going to become a Tuscan hill village.
February 3, 2026 at 10:02 AM
I remember when Barnsley was going to become a Tuscan hill village.
Still too much. And underestimates their tax and regulatory privileges plus the electoral system is slanted in their favour.
That's more than a lot of other industries get.
That's more than a lot of other industries get.
Speaking at our event, Jack Watts from the NFU says the UK spends 0.2% of GDP on agriculture support (lower in England). This compares to 0.6% across Europe, and 1% across OECD economies.
UK agriculture is not the heavily subsided sector that many people assume, especially compared to our peers.
UK agriculture is not the heavily subsided sector that many people assume, especially compared to our peers.
February 3, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Still too much. And underestimates their tax and regulatory privileges plus the electoral system is slanted in their favour.
That's more than a lot of other industries get.
That's more than a lot of other industries get.
Reposted by Borners
Speaking at our event, Jack Watts from the NFU says the UK spends 0.2% of GDP on agriculture support (lower in England). This compares to 0.6% across Europe, and 1% across OECD economies.
UK agriculture is not the heavily subsided sector that many people assume, especially compared to our peers.
UK agriculture is not the heavily subsided sector that many people assume, especially compared to our peers.
February 3, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Speaking at our event, Jack Watts from the NFU says the UK spends 0.2% of GDP on agriculture support (lower in England). This compares to 0.6% across Europe, and 1% across OECD economies.
UK agriculture is not the heavily subsided sector that many people assume, especially compared to our peers.
UK agriculture is not the heavily subsided sector that many people assume, especially compared to our peers.
Reposted by Borners
he's still got it
Chrétien on Harper: "We're political opponents, but we're not enemies. Not today, anyways. Because he's afraid of the Shawinigan Handshake."
February 3, 2026 at 3:29 AM
he's still got it
Reposted by Borners
February 3, 2026 at 9:42 AM
Reposted by Borners
I find it quite depressing how much time is spent in British public policy asking “but have you considered some sort of special purpose funding vehicle?” and “is the answer maybe some sort of creative accounting?”.
www.ft.com/content/4458...
www.ft.com/content/4458...
Keir Starmer seeks to push forward with delayed defence investment plan
Meeting convened by UK prime minister comes as officials examine ways of overriding multibillion-pound funding gap
www.ft.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:50 AM
I find it quite depressing how much time is spent in British public policy asking “but have you considered some sort of special purpose funding vehicle?” and “is the answer maybe some sort of creative accounting?”.
www.ft.com/content/4458...
www.ft.com/content/4458...
He was always a elitist Tankie who hates democratic liberal society because its messy and aesthetically displeasing to him. That's why he loves Xi's China and was obsessed with Nazi Germany.
Fame has merely revealed the man.
Fame has merely revealed the man.
Wild to see a brilliant *economic* historian argue that “in NYC home cooking is a borderline vanity project.“ Brain totally melted by audience capture.
Treatler-Stalinism is a real ideology and an actual, tenured crackpot historian (who used to be a quite good historian) is a true believer in it.
We live in some goddamn interesting times.
We live in some goddamn interesting times.
February 2, 2026 at 11:46 PM
He was always a elitist Tankie who hates democratic liberal society because its messy and aesthetically displeasing to him. That's why he loves Xi's China and was obsessed with Nazi Germany.
Fame has merely revealed the man.
Fame has merely revealed the man.
I missed this, he actually spoke in detail about Barnett, which means Reform does talk about it internally. Will they be willing to eat coming 2nd in Wales in May in order to win England later?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2dc...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2dc...
Will Farage's comments on Scotland's money hurt Reform? | Planet Holyrood
YouTube video by Daily Record
www.youtube.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:28 PM
I missed this, he actually spoke in detail about Barnett, which means Reform does talk about it internally. Will they be willing to eat coming 2nd in Wales in May in order to win England later?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2dc...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2dc...
Sigh, no comments or likes. A friend of mine blocked all contact with me when I asked when she'd do activism for the Baloch like she did Gaza.
I guess if white people or Jews aren't involved its not sexy. Even though its part the Iran, Afghan, Pakistani, Chinese and India stories.
I guess if white people or Jews aren't involved its not sexy. Even though its part the Iran, Afghan, Pakistani, Chinese and India stories.
Damn. Baloch rebels are one of the quietest rebellions in the world against 2 imperial projects Iranian and Pakistani. Get 0% of the coverage, so much more desperate than the Palestinian one.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOib...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOib...
Female Suicide Squads: The New Face of the Baloch Insurgency | Gravitas
YouTube video by WION
www.youtube.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Sigh, no comments or likes. A friend of mine blocked all contact with me when I asked when she'd do activism for the Baloch like she did Gaza.
I guess if white people or Jews aren't involved its not sexy. Even though its part the Iran, Afghan, Pakistani, Chinese and India stories.
I guess if white people or Jews aren't involved its not sexy. Even though its part the Iran, Afghan, Pakistani, Chinese and India stories.
Japan's worst subway line (i.e. should never ever been built), Kobe's Kaigan line now has 15 minute headways off-peak.
Kobe inc, i.e. lots of loss making assets and a massive debt load is going to be the future of many a Chinese city I'll wager.
Kobe inc, i.e. lots of loss making assets and a massive debt load is going to be the future of many a Chinese city I'll wager.
February 2, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Japan's worst subway line (i.e. should never ever been built), Kobe's Kaigan line now has 15 minute headways off-peak.
Kobe inc, i.e. lots of loss making assets and a massive debt load is going to be the future of many a Chinese city I'll wager.
Kobe inc, i.e. lots of loss making assets and a massive debt load is going to be the future of many a Chinese city I'll wager.
Reposted by Borners
Our A Better Billion report is up on our site. It’s a great site. @27a01.bsky.social, @eensari.bsky.social, @vanshnookenraggen.com, and @alonlevy.bsky.social did a great job: transitcosts.com/a-better-bil...
A Better Billion
transitcosts.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Our A Better Billion report is up on our site. It’s a great site. @27a01.bsky.social, @eensari.bsky.social, @vanshnookenraggen.com, and @alonlevy.bsky.social did a great job: transitcosts.com/a-better-bil...
Damn. Baloch rebels are one of the quietest rebellions in the world against 2 imperial projects Iranian and Pakistani. Get 0% of the coverage, so much more desperate than the Palestinian one.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOib...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOib...
Female Suicide Squads: The New Face of the Baloch Insurgency | Gravitas
YouTube video by WION
www.youtube.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Damn. Baloch rebels are one of the quietest rebellions in the world against 2 imperial projects Iranian and Pakistani. Get 0% of the coverage, so much more desperate than the Palestinian one.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOib...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOib...
Interesting report on Scottish performance, noting Manchester and Glasgow have pretty much had the same performance (although Glasgow's gets more money). Mention Barnett once...and the video then spends 15 minutes on it.
scottishlabour.org.uk/wp-content/u...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GFW...
scottishlabour.org.uk/wp-content/u...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GFW...
A conversation about regional economic growth with Sir Anton Muscatelli
YouTube video by Enlighten
www.youtube.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Interesting report on Scottish performance, noting Manchester and Glasgow have pretty much had the same performance (although Glasgow's gets more money). Mention Barnett once...and the video then spends 15 minutes on it.
scottishlabour.org.uk/wp-content/u...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GFW...
scottishlabour.org.uk/wp-content/u...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GFW...