Rik Adamski
@rikadamski.bsky.social
Dallas-based Downtown and Neighborhood Planner. I help communities push past planning paralysis and make real progress towards their goals. President of ASH+LIME, www.ashlime.com. Cofounder, Storefront Renaissance League.
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Rik Adamski
@rikadamski.bsky.social
· Nov 27
Just updated my “Urbanist Geekery” starter pack, focused on people with great insights on towns/cities/urbanism! Enjoy!
go.bsky.app/CsdEJYx
go.bsky.app/CsdEJYx
Great point. It’s natural for us to assume that the *primary* issue must be hoarding, or market manipulation, wastefulness, etc. when in fact the primary issue—in this case—is that there’s an actual artificially-induced shortage.
In a country so many things are truly abundant (food, clothing, all manner of personal and luxury items) it really breaks some people's brains when confronted with an actual honest shortage like housing.
November 8, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Great point. It’s natural for us to assume that the *primary* issue must be hoarding, or market manipulation, wastefulness, etc. when in fact the primary issue—in this case—is that there’s an actual artificially-induced shortage.
$350 in free food every month? To feed a household? Surely they must have a few weeks of Caspian Sea caviar stashed away somewhere.
Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana blames SNAP recipients for not stockpiling a month's worth of food.
He ends his tweet with "stop smoking crack."
He ends his tweet with "stop smoking crack."
November 3, 2025 at 3:57 PM
$350 in free food every month? To feed a household? Surely they must have a few weeks of Caspian Sea caviar stashed away somewhere.
I’m old enough to remember the good old days, when we had a handful of ultra-wealthy *corporations* controlling everything we watched and read - instead of a handful of ultra-wealthy men.
Yikes.
Yikes.
The richest man on earth owns X.
The second richest man on earth is about to acquire TikTok and his family could soon own both Paramount and Warner Bros.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
The second richest man on earth is about to acquire TikTok and his family could soon own both Paramount and Warner Bros.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
October 27, 2025 at 7:35 PM
I’m old enough to remember the good old days, when we had a handful of ultra-wealthy *corporations* controlling everything we watched and read - instead of a handful of ultra-wealthy men.
Yikes.
Yikes.
Imagine 80,000 people all taking elevators down at the same time…to the same lobby, through the same exits, and mostly trying to drive out of the same area.
Now imagine something goes wrong, and they all have to evacuate immediately.
Even 1,000 people would be a stretch.
Now imagine something goes wrong, and they all have to evacuate immediately.
Even 1,000 people would be a stretch.
October 27, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Imagine 80,000 people all taking elevators down at the same time…to the same lobby, through the same exits, and mostly trying to drive out of the same area.
Now imagine something goes wrong, and they all have to evacuate immediately.
Even 1,000 people would be a stretch.
Now imagine something goes wrong, and they all have to evacuate immediately.
Even 1,000 people would be a stretch.
Yep. And largely vibes from decades ago, when we created rules that are now deeply ossified.
People somewhat reasonably assume that the rules governing our built environments are built on careful assessment of the best available science and rigorous analysis of tradeoffs but in reality it's like 85% vibes.
October 23, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Yep. And largely vibes from decades ago, when we created rules that are now deeply ossified.
Just like SimCity was not based on actual US minimum parking standards, because it would have made the cities too boring to keep players’ interest.
Good review of the new game Subway Builder. Warning: The game is not based on real US construction costs, because, in the designer's words, "it would have made the game unplayable." www.fastcompany.com/91421609/thi...
This addictive game is like ‘SimCity’ but for transit nerds
The goal of ‘Subway Builder’ is to move people from A to B. Some believe it might just start a transit revolution in the process.
www.fastcompany.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Just like SimCity was not based on actual US minimum parking standards, because it would have made the cities too boring to keep players’ interest.
36. Years. Ago.
Wow, am I getting old.
Wow, am I getting old.
Released on this day in 1989, "Pretty Hate Machine" is the debut album by #NineInchNails.
October 20, 2025 at 3:40 PM
36. Years. Ago.
Wow, am I getting old.
Wow, am I getting old.
And this is in Seattle, which I’d place in among the 10 least automobile dependent core cities in the US.
If you’re not in a car—due to age, disability, income, personal preference, or any other reason—you’re considered a second-class citizen in this country.
If you’re not in a car—due to age, disability, income, personal preference, or any other reason—you’re considered a second-class citizen in this country.
It's been twenty-two months since a driver took out the bus stop at the very heavily used Denny and Stewart 8 stop and it still looks like this.
October 20, 2025 at 1:44 PM
And this is in Seattle, which I’d place in among the 10 least automobile dependent core cities in the US.
If you’re not in a car—due to age, disability, income, personal preference, or any other reason—you’re considered a second-class citizen in this country.
If you’re not in a car—due to age, disability, income, personal preference, or any other reason—you’re considered a second-class citizen in this country.
Akin to faking a disability so you can use an accessible parking space. So, yeah, tacky is an understatement.
Abusing the Americans with Disabilities Act to bring your pet into bars, restaurants, and grocery stores is tacky. sfstandard.com/2025/10/08/d...
Dogs in restaurants? It’s getting hairy
In a city where canines aren’t just pets but children, the opinions over where they belong is fierce.
sfstandard.com
October 8, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Akin to faking a disability so you can use an accessible parking space. So, yeah, tacky is an understatement.
For those who don’t know, the standard building code in the US is published by the International Code Council (ICC), but the ICC’s codes are rarely used in full outside the US.
The name gives them an unearned patina of global authority.
The name gives them an unearned patina of global authority.
really enjoyed this discussion hitting on the 'international' code council (🫠) that touches on how US is outlier in denser buildings costing more per SF than detached houses
This was a fun one! Check out our episode with @jessezwick.bsky.social about the organization responsible for US building codes, the 'International' Code Council. This conversation will leave you fired up to *entirely* rethink our approach to building standards. www.lewis.ucla.edu/2025/10/08/9...
October 8, 2025 at 7:05 PM
For those who don’t know, the standard building code in the US is published by the International Code Council (ICC), but the ICC’s codes are rarely used in full outside the US.
The name gives them an unearned patina of global authority.
The name gives them an unearned patina of global authority.
“Some people may be inadvertently adding to climate change by breathing.”
Yeah, OK.
Yeah, OK.
The people who are most vulnerable to the hard-to-breathe air that comes with climate change may inadvertently be adding to the problem, new research finds. https://cnn.it/4pWQMoh
October 7, 2025 at 12:25 PM
“Some people may be inadvertently adding to climate change by breathing.”
Yeah, OK.
Yeah, OK.
This engineer is basically telling everyone:
Everyone exceeds the speed limit here, because the street is designed for them to do so.
And instead of concluding
Therefore we must redesign it,
He tells the public that nothing can be done about it.
Grotesque, infuriating incompetence.
Everyone exceeds the speed limit here, because the street is designed for them to do so.
And instead of concluding
Therefore we must redesign it,
He tells the public that nothing can be done about it.
Grotesque, infuriating incompetence.
Listening to Federal Way's traffic engineer explain why a speed limit reduction isn't likely on a street next to a school after a serious crash - on a street where drivers are exceeding the 35 mph limit.
"It was a tragic situation that occurred out there...but realistically it's an outlier."
"It was a tragic situation that occurred out there...but realistically it's an outlier."
October 7, 2025 at 8:33 AM
This engineer is basically telling everyone:
Everyone exceeds the speed limit here, because the street is designed for them to do so.
And instead of concluding
Therefore we must redesign it,
He tells the public that nothing can be done about it.
Grotesque, infuriating incompetence.
Everyone exceeds the speed limit here, because the street is designed for them to do so.
And instead of concluding
Therefore we must redesign it,
He tells the public that nothing can be done about it.
Grotesque, infuriating incompetence.
Brilliant. 🎯
Imagine if a water pipe broke and the water department had to ask city council whether to fix it and then spend 12 months asking everyone on the street their opinion of how to fix it before they could start work.
That's how cities manage curbs.
That's how cities manage curbs.
This is the process chart for the City of Bellevue's potential plan to add parking meters.
October 6, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Brilliant. 🎯
Imagine showing up at a public meeting and announcing that you think 54% of the people in your city are destructive scum.
“‘I’ve lived in the South Loop. Renters destroy, renters do not build up,’ said an Edgebrook resident who identified herself as a police officer.
[…]
‘There’s no high-end renter,’ Vanna said.” blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/26/g...
[…]
‘There’s no high-end renter,’ Vanna said.” blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/26/g...
Ald. Gardiner Rejects Apartment Building Pitched For Edgebrook After Tense Meeting
Some neighbors said the 48-unit project could help revitalize downtown Edgebrook, but Ald. Jim Gardiner backed others who said the five-story building wouldn't fit the neighborhood and would worsen tr...
blockclubchicago.org
September 28, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Imagine showing up at a public meeting and announcing that you think 54% of the people in your city are destructive scum.
I lived in an ADU in Chicago for 2 years. It’s basically the simplest increment of housing that exists—a small house on property you’re already living on—and they’ve made it onerous.
Some sort of “limitations and local review” and a union labor requirement for an ADU (lol) sounds like, in effect, Chicago has chosen to not allow ADUs
Compromise ADU ordinance PASSES City Council in a 46-0 vote, ending a 7-year legislative battle over a modest affordable housing tool already common elsewhere in the country. Story TK
September 25, 2025 at 11:36 PM
I lived in an ADU in Chicago for 2 years. It’s basically the simplest increment of housing that exists—a small house on property you’re already living on—and they’ve made it onerous.
Even in cities with extensive transit systems, this is rare. In places like Akron? It's unheard of. And I predict it will work.
🚌 Strategies used to turnaround Akron’s bus system:
1. CEO used to be a bus driver, now rides the bus with customers
2. Run buses every 15 minutes, 7 days a week
3. Concentrate on most needed services
4. Reduce job requirements
“If we’re not using our product, why should anybody else use it?”
1. CEO used to be a bus driver, now rides the bus with customers
2. Run buses every 15 minutes, 7 days a week
3. Concentrate on most needed services
4. Reduce job requirements
“If we’re not using our product, why should anybody else use it?”
September 24, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Even in cities with extensive transit systems, this is rare. In places like Akron? It's unheard of. And I predict it will work.
It’s mostly able bodied men in spandex on bikes! Where are all the normies?
Um. Is your bike infrastructure safe enough that most people would feel comfortable riding in your city?
Of course not! Only a daredevil would ride a bike here!
🤦
Um. Is your bike infrastructure safe enough that most people would feel comfortable riding in your city?
Of course not! Only a daredevil would ride a bike here!
🤦
If all you see in your city are middle aged men on bikes, then you've designed only for their comfort zone, excluding everyone else.
September 16, 2025 at 2:03 PM
It’s mostly able bodied men in spandex on bikes! Where are all the normies?
Um. Is your bike infrastructure safe enough that most people would feel comfortable riding in your city?
Of course not! Only a daredevil would ride a bike here!
🤦
Um. Is your bike infrastructure safe enough that most people would feel comfortable riding in your city?
Of course not! Only a daredevil would ride a bike here!
🤦
When it comes to housing, some people don’t understand the concept of “consent”
Historic SB79 has passed the Legislature in California, requiring cities to allow dense development around transit stations: a tiny % of urban California's land area.
Cue the hysteria about "forcing" ppl into apartments.
When will people learn the difference between "allowing" and "forcing"?
Cue the hysteria about "forcing" ppl into apartments.
When will people learn the difference between "allowing" and "forcing"?
September 13, 2025 at 6:53 PM
When it comes to housing, some people don’t understand the concept of “consent”
Ah, to be 20.
Important news, Portland: my 20 year old kid has informed me that everyone in Portland is a poser, except him of course, but including his brother
September 7, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Ah, to be 20.
Yep. Don’t get me wrong: calculus is essential for people who in STEM fields, and we need to do better to train people for that.
But if people don’t understand statistics, at least conceptually, their ability to process and understand information is deeply compromised.
But if people don’t understand statistics, at least conceptually, their ability to process and understand information is deeply compromised.
One of the greatest errors in K-12 education, in my opinion, is prioritizing trigonometry and calculus over statistics. Yes, trig and calc are important for many professions. Statistics are important for literacy.
oh noooo
September 6, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Yep. Don’t get me wrong: calculus is essential for people who in STEM fields, and we need to do better to train people for that.
But if people don’t understand statistics, at least conceptually, their ability to process and understand information is deeply compromised.
But if people don’t understand statistics, at least conceptually, their ability to process and understand information is deeply compromised.
For a large company with a budget for consultants and lawyers: simple
For a small local business: onerous
Just like so many of our micromanaging regulations. We do so much to squeeze the soul out of our towns and cities.
For a small local business: onerous
Just like so many of our micromanaging regulations. We do so much to squeeze the soul out of our towns and cities.
Philadelphia could be friendlier to entrepreneurs by not forcing small businesses to secure approval over multiple public meetings for installing a 9.25” x 38” sign.
Instead Dancerobot will have to get the OK from the Sign & Streetery Committee, before the full Art Commission.
Instead Dancerobot will have to get the OK from the Sign & Streetery Committee, before the full Art Commission.
August 22, 2025 at 6:28 PM
For a large company with a budget for consultants and lawyers: simple
For a small local business: onerous
Just like so many of our micromanaging regulations. We do so much to squeeze the soul out of our towns and cities.
For a small local business: onerous
Just like so many of our micromanaging regulations. We do so much to squeeze the soul out of our towns and cities.
There are many, many people who should not be driving cars but would be fine in a golf cart.
It could well be the difference between the alternatives of:
1. Move to a nursing home or
2. Stay at home, but rely on others any time you want or need to leave your house
It could well be the difference between the alternatives of:
1. Move to a nursing home or
2. Stay at home, but rely on others any time you want or need to leave your house
On the contrary, golf carts *are* the resistance -- to cars!
Golf Carts Have Taken Over Suburbia. Cue the Resistance.
Demand for street legal carts is surging despite complaints from drivers; ‘We all hate you’
www.wsj.com
August 11, 2025 at 2:12 PM
There are many, many people who should not be driving cars but would be fine in a golf cart.
It could well be the difference between the alternatives of:
1. Move to a nursing home or
2. Stay at home, but rely on others any time you want or need to leave your house
It could well be the difference between the alternatives of:
1. Move to a nursing home or
2. Stay at home, but rely on others any time you want or need to leave your house
There are about 1.15 billion adults in China, and if they attempt to set it up so 90% of those adults can drive (and park) everywhere, they’ll fail miserably. And they’ll destroy themselves in the process.
In the US, we achieved near-universal automobility at great cost. China cannot do that.
In the US, we achieved near-universal automobility at great cost. China cannot do that.
China’s comeback as the Kingdom of Bicycles is happening at a momentous scale.
In Beijing, 3200 km of infrastructure has been built, with 200 km added each year.
It is a spectacular course correction—an admission that cities with more people cycling work better for everybody.
youtu.be/gQS97woWcq0
In Beijing, 3200 km of infrastructure has been built, with 200 km added each year.
It is a spectacular course correction—an admission that cities with more people cycling work better for everybody.
youtu.be/gQS97woWcq0
August 9, 2025 at 1:05 PM
There are about 1.15 billion adults in China, and if they attempt to set it up so 90% of those adults can drive (and park) everywhere, they’ll fail miserably. And they’ll destroy themselves in the process.
In the US, we achieved near-universal automobility at great cost. China cannot do that.
In the US, we achieved near-universal automobility at great cost. China cannot do that.
Art history, then physics. Only took either because I had to.
What was your favorite early clas NOT in your eventual major. Mine was Ethnomusicology: an introduction to folk music.
I invariably get, "Ooh anthro that was my favorite class/cool professor" from people I meet. I tend to think soms of it is our outré material, being willing to talk "taboo" subjects in a cross-cultural context.
Ironically MY favorite class was probably Geology 101...
Ironically MY favorite class was probably Geology 101...
July 29, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Art history, then physics. Only took either because I had to.