Kent Lundberg
@kentlundberg.bsky.social
Sustainable transport and car optional cities. I lead a small company focused on public transport, urban design, parking reform and investment advice. Auckland, New Zealand.
Important. Chunk up the projects in stages matching the political terms (and budgets).
Auckland “light rail” missed this wildly.
Auckland “light rail” missed this wildly.
They can actually start and deliver a transit project within a single political term (6 years in France). Just amazing.
February 14, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Important. Chunk up the projects in stages matching the political terms (and budgets).
Auckland “light rail” missed this wildly.
Auckland “light rail” missed this wildly.
Govt:
Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell says the country is in a "perpetual cycle of response and recovery", with 25 local states of emergency declared in the past two years.
Also Govt:
Here’s a list of unfundable fantasy roading projects that we will waste 3 years on
Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell says the country is in a "perpetual cycle of response and recovery", with 25 local states of emergency declared in the past two years.
Also Govt:
Here’s a list of unfundable fantasy roading projects that we will waste 3 years on
February 14, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Govt:
Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell says the country is in a "perpetual cycle of response and recovery", with 25 local states of emergency declared in the past two years.
Also Govt:
Here’s a list of unfundable fantasy roading projects that we will waste 3 years on
Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell says the country is in a "perpetual cycle of response and recovery", with 25 local states of emergency declared in the past two years.
Also Govt:
Here’s a list of unfundable fantasy roading projects that we will waste 3 years on
Reposted by Kent Lundberg
I don’t know how many people join Bluesky each day, but my sense is that more & more people are discovering the outstanding community/conversation here (best on social media) about better cities. I still think STARTER PACKS are a superpower. I’ve made many, but here’s my first again. Please share.
February 11, 2026 at 7:39 PM
I don’t know how many people join Bluesky each day, but my sense is that more & more people are discovering the outstanding community/conversation here (best on social media) about better cities. I still think STARTER PACKS are a superpower. I’ve made many, but here’s my first again. Please share.
Reposted by Kent Lundberg
FYI I’ve opened this up for full public reading, listening & sharing after requests from paying subscribers. Their support allows me to do this kind of public interest journalism on Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate & poverty in public. #nzpol thekaka.substack.com/p/why-not-sp...
Why not spend $2.7b on solar & batteries instead?
Govt to pay up to $180m/year or $2.7b over 15 years to lease LNG re-gasification plant, paid for by $15-$30 'levy' per household per year. That $2.7b would build four Benmore Dams worth of electricity
thekaka.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:59 AM
FYI I’ve opened this up for full public reading, listening & sharing after requests from paying subscribers. Their support allows me to do this kind of public interest journalism on Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate & poverty in public. #nzpol thekaka.substack.com/p/why-not-sp...
Moving more electricity use off-peak could save the country up to $3 billion and transform the energy system in the process.
The study found New Zealand could, through fully exploiting modern technologies, lower electricity use at the busiest times by up to 25%.
www.eeca.govt.nz/about/news-a...
The study found New Zealand could, through fully exploiting modern technologies, lower electricity use at the busiest times by up to 25%.
www.eeca.govt.nz/about/news-a...
EECA flexible electricity report
Moving more electricity use off-peak could save the country up to $3 billion and transform the energy system in the process, according to new research from EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Aut...
www.eeca.govt.nz
February 1, 2026 at 7:14 AM
Moving more electricity use off-peak could save the country up to $3 billion and transform the energy system in the process.
The study found New Zealand could, through fully exploiting modern technologies, lower electricity use at the busiest times by up to 25%.
www.eeca.govt.nz/about/news-a...
The study found New Zealand could, through fully exploiting modern technologies, lower electricity use at the busiest times by up to 25%.
www.eeca.govt.nz/about/news-a...
Reposted by Kent Lundberg
UPDATE: The Democrat won the latest batch of roughly 6,000 votes, continuing to dominate in the count.
The Election Day vote is bluer than the early vote day so far.
With 55K votes in, Rehmet is up 57% to 43%.
This is a 30% swing since 2024 for now.
The Election Day vote is bluer than the early vote day so far.
With 55K votes in, Rehmet is up 57% to 43%.
This is a 30% swing since 2024 for now.
February 1, 2026 at 4:03 AM
UPDATE: The Democrat won the latest batch of roughly 6,000 votes, continuing to dominate in the count.
The Election Day vote is bluer than the early vote day so far.
With 55K votes in, Rehmet is up 57% to 43%.
This is a 30% swing since 2024 for now.
The Election Day vote is bluer than the early vote day so far.
With 55K votes in, Rehmet is up 57% to 43%.
This is a 30% swing since 2024 for now.
This piece on road pricing is not super helpful. Yes, PT needs to improve but most of the drivers heading to the city centre clogging up the network are from close-in where PT is very good. www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026...
New traffic charges could backfire, expert warns – University of Auckland
Traffic congestion charges won't work unless alternatives to driving to work are available, says University of Auckland’s Dr Hyesop Shin.
www.auckland.ac.nz
January 29, 2026 at 8:30 PM
This piece on road pricing is not super helpful. Yes, PT needs to improve but most of the drivers heading to the city centre clogging up the network are from close-in where PT is very good. www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026...
Yikes. The insurance industry doesn’t care about your views on climate change. www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Insurer temporarily halts new policies in Westport due to flood risk
The decision will be the first of many as the full force of climate change arrives, a researcher says.
www.rnz.co.nz
January 28, 2026 at 11:44 PM
Yikes. The insurance industry doesn’t care about your views on climate change. www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by Kent Lundberg
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
January 25, 2026 at 1:18 AM
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
Reposted by Kent Lundberg
Check this one fact out:
"In 2024, the total installed electricity capacity of the planet—every coal, gas, hydro, and nuclear plant and all of the renewables—was about 10 terawatts. The Chinese solar supply chain can now pump out 1 terawatt of panels every year."
"In 2024, the total installed electricity capacity of the planet—every coal, gas, hydro, and nuclear plant and all of the renewables—was about 10 terawatts. The Chinese solar supply chain can now pump out 1 terawatt of panels every year."
January 21, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Check this one fact out:
"In 2024, the total installed electricity capacity of the planet—every coal, gas, hydro, and nuclear plant and all of the renewables—was about 10 terawatts. The Chinese solar supply chain can now pump out 1 terawatt of panels every year."
"In 2024, the total installed electricity capacity of the planet—every coal, gas, hydro, and nuclear plant and all of the renewables—was about 10 terawatts. The Chinese solar supply chain can now pump out 1 terawatt of panels every year."
Reposted by Kent Lundberg
Next level doing it for the bit ..
María Corina Machado on her meeting with Trump: “I presented the president of the United States with the Nobel Peace Prize”
January 16, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Next level doing it for the bit ..
The weight of electric double decker buses has been raising issues. Now there are lighter ones. www.wearekinetic.com/newsroom/a-m...
Kinetic New Zealand unveils the country’s first lightweight electric…
Kinetic New Zealand is proud to announce the arrival of the country’s first lightweight electric double-decker bus. Developed through a strategic…
www.wearekinetic.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:26 PM
The weight of electric double decker buses has been raising issues. Now there are lighter ones. www.wearekinetic.com/newsroom/a-m...
“but what about Chi…”
This is huge: For the first time since the early 1970s, coal power generation has fallen in both China & India.
It undercuts claims that decarbonisation is pointless while they expand coal. Renewables are no longer just adding capacity — they’re displacing coal.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
It undercuts claims that decarbonisation is pointless while they expand coal. Renewables are no longer just adding capacity — they’re displacing coal.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Coal power generation falls in China and India for first time since 1970s
‘Historic’ moment in biggest coal-consuming countries could bring decline in global emissions, analysis says
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:22 PM
“but what about Chi…”
Woah and Europe has recently legalized house to house electricity connections. I think he called it “Freedom Cables” 🌞
Today on Volts: Swedish tech entrepreneur Jonas Birgersson was once known in his country as "broadband Jesus" for his efforts in spreading decentralized, low-cost broadband access. Now, he wants to bring the same decentralized, peer-to-peer revolution to the electricity grid.
Making the electricity grid work like the internet
Jonas Birgersson joins me to explain how "packet-switching" for electrons can lead to energy abundance and grid resilience.
www.volts.wtf
January 15, 2026 at 7:18 AM
Woah and Europe has recently legalized house to house electricity connections. I think he called it “Freedom Cables” 🌞
Reposted by Kent Lundberg
The Trump administration is excusing murder by ICE using the same lies as those told by Maduro’s regime. These lies are part of the logic of death squads. Govt controls the story & the next murder is easier. And suddenly this is normal and people simply disappear.
snyder.substack.com/p/maduro-in-...
snyder.substack.com/p/maduro-in-...
Maduro in Minneapolis
Murderous Lies
snyder.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:02 PM
The Trump administration is excusing murder by ICE using the same lies as those told by Maduro’s regime. These lies are part of the logic of death squads. Govt controls the story & the next murder is easier. And suddenly this is normal and people simply disappear.
snyder.substack.com/p/maduro-in-...
snyder.substack.com/p/maduro-in-...
Reposted by Kent Lundberg
This heatwave has marked a historic turning point in the Australian energy grid - we used to have blackouts as everyone turned their AC's on, with pundits telling us that 'renewables aren't the answer'. No blackouts this time, and silence from the nay-sayers.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
From scourge to saviour: How the sun powered the grid through a heatwave
For so long, the pounding sunshine of an Australian heatwave was the grid's biggest threat. It has now become its greatest asset.
www.abc.net.au
January 9, 2026 at 9:24 PM
This heatwave has marked a historic turning point in the Australian energy grid - we used to have blackouts as everyone turned their AC's on, with pundits telling us that 'renewables aren't the answer'. No blackouts this time, and silence from the nay-sayers.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Kinda basic but important, markets require the rule of law.
This is the opposite of what companies that actually have a legal department want to hear, because it means contracts can (and likely WILL) be voided in because they weren't authorized by the government of the country in question
*TRUMP: US OIL COMPANIES WILL DEAL WITH US DIRECTLY, NOT CARACAS
*TRUMP: US OIL COMPANIES WILL DEAL WITH US DIRECTLY, NOT CARACAS
January 9, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Kinda basic but important, markets require the rule of law.
Reposted by Kent Lundberg
“this is something we can do immediately, so that’s what we’ve done”
Zohran just went out and fixed the Williamsburg Bridge bike entrance. Just did it. No faffing, no nonsense. Bam. Fixed.
January 6, 2026 at 8:31 PM
“this is something we can do immediately, so that’s what we’ve done”
Reposted by Kent Lundberg
Zohran just went out and fixed the Williamsburg Bridge bike entrance. Just did it. No faffing, no nonsense. Bam. Fixed.
January 6, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Zohran just went out and fixed the Williamsburg Bridge bike entrance. Just did it. No faffing, no nonsense. Bam. Fixed.
Reposted by Kent Lundberg
NEW POST
While cities across North America struggle with housing shortages, Edmonton is proving that zoning reform works.
In 2025, for the first time in history, the number of homes permitted in 5-8 unit rowhomes surpassed detached homes. 🧵
#yeg #yegcc #yimby
www.jacobdawang.com/blog/2026/zb...
While cities across North America struggle with housing shortages, Edmonton is proving that zoning reform works.
In 2025, for the first time in history, the number of homes permitted in 5-8 unit rowhomes surpassed detached homes. 🧵
#yeg #yegcc #yimby
www.jacobdawang.com/blog/2026/zb...
2025: The year Edmonton built the missing middle – Jacob Dawang
Edmonton’s zoning reform is working. In 2025, newly legalized eight-home rowhomes drove a record increase in homebuilding, achieved by redeveloping only 0.39% of properties in mature neighbourhoods.
www.jacobdawang.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM
NEW POST
While cities across North America struggle with housing shortages, Edmonton is proving that zoning reform works.
In 2025, for the first time in history, the number of homes permitted in 5-8 unit rowhomes surpassed detached homes. 🧵
#yeg #yegcc #yimby
www.jacobdawang.com/blog/2026/zb...
While cities across North America struggle with housing shortages, Edmonton is proving that zoning reform works.
In 2025, for the first time in history, the number of homes permitted in 5-8 unit rowhomes surpassed detached homes. 🧵
#yeg #yegcc #yimby
www.jacobdawang.com/blog/2026/zb...
Reposted by Kent Lundberg
Mayor Mamdani on the success of congestion pricing:
January 5, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Mayor Mamdani on the success of congestion pricing:
Reposted by Kent Lundberg
"American dominance" is our new foreign policy. And it will create a counter-reaction, everywhere.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Trump’s ‘American Dominance’ May Leave Us With Nothing
The president’s moves in Venezuela foretell a new global system.
www.theatlantic.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:56 PM
"American dominance" is our new foreign policy. And it will create a counter-reaction, everywhere.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...