ASC's Intersections Newsletter — June 20th, 2025
Nora’s Note
Raise a glass to the people building a more livable, inclusive New York—block by block, policy by policy. ASC team members Dianne Walsh and Chanah Haigh joined Open New York’s happy hour last Wednesday, where the vibes were celebratory, but the mission stayed front and center.
The crowd was a mix of architects, engineers, organizers, and policy pros, all united around one shared goal: making housing more affordable and accessible. From the City of Yes to broader statewide wins, there was plenty to toast. But what really stood out were the stories—about aging parents priced out of their neighborhoods, about the power of persistent local organizing, about how real change happens when data meets heart.
This wasn’t just a social hour. It was a community reminder that smart housing policy is personal, and that progress takes people who show up.
Transportation
Off campus: students are boosting public transit as key to affordability. Across the country, young people are emerging as one of public transit’s most enthusiastic and strategic supporters. From university-led referendums to city-funded youth passes, students are recognizing transit access as key to affordability and long-term sustainability. Early adoption builds lasting ridership habits and gives the next generation a stake in shaping future transportation systems. Read more about how youth riders are driving change and why agencies should take note. (Source: Streetsblog)
Gothamist NYC Council pushes to expand Fair Fares transit discounts to more low-income New Yorkers
AMNY: ‘Daylighting’ savings time in NYC: DOT to redesign intersections to limit vehicle parking and improve cyclist safety
Mass Transit Magazine: FRA launches new online public safety data website
Climate
Texas finalizes $1.8B to build solar, battery, and gas-powered microgrids. The new funding will accelerate local solar-plus-storage systems and other distributed solutions to keep power flowing during increasingly common extreme weather events. The new program sets a funding cap of $500 per kilowatt and allows for flexibility in the mix of technologies used, though systems must include solar, batteries, and a fuel-based generator. Read more about the fund and the progression of Texas’s green energy. (Source: Canary Media)
Anthropocene Magazine: Hawaii scientists discover marine fungi plastic degradation solution
NPR: In Seattle, preserving trees while increasing housing supply is a climate solution
Grist: Coal miners are fighting Trump’s safety cuts—and winning
Economic Development
Philadelphia City Council just approved Mayor Parker’s signature housing proposal. Philadelphia has approved Mayor Cherelle Parker’s $2 billion H.O.M.E. (Housing Opportunities Made Easy) plan, a bold housing initiative designed to stimulate economic growth and community reinvestment. The plan aims to build or preserve 30,000 homes across the city, targeting middle-income families and leveraging public funding, bonds, and city assets. Read more about the initiative to generate jobs, stabilize neighborhoods, and expand access to affordable housing. (Source: WHYY)
The City: Storefronts and apartments grow, fertilized by new zoning and tax schemes
Smart Cities Dive: Tiny apartments are a big deal in many US cities
NY Post: Inside the plan for a new Hudson Yards with thousands of apartments, offices, but no casino
Digital
What is ‘Physical AI’? Inside the push to make AI understand the real world. Researchers and companies are racing to bring "Physical AI" to life—robots that can understand and interact with the real world like humans do. These AI systems combine large language models with advanced robotics, enabling machines to move, see, and manipulate objects in dynamic environments. Backed by major players, this push could redefine how AI supports industries from manufacturing to healthcare. Read more about the frontier of Physical AI. (Source: Forbes)
GovTech: For tribal communities, self-owned, open-access networks
Route Fifty: Inside Illinois’ journey to build a centralized platform for child welfare services
Tech Xplore: Evaporative cooling tech could curb data centers’ rising energy demands
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