Reading List — 09/12/2026

The Iron Bridge by Max Beckmann is featured in the weekly reading list, providing a visual representation of architecture and urban development. The publication covers various topics related to construction and infrastructure, including city permitting speeds, efficient drilling for ground source heat pumps, a recent crash involving Amazon Air in Miami, innovative cooling paint, and more. However, roughly two-thirds of the content is behind a paywall, so a subscription is required for full access.

Economists Evan Soltas and Leonardo D’Amico have recently published a paper examining permitting and construction speeds for housing in different cities across the United States. The findings reveal that the cities with the fastest construction timelines complete their projects before the slowest cities even issue a permit. This highlights significant disparities in permitting efficiency across various urban areas.

There have been recent setbacks for California Forever, a planned city in Solano County. The proposal to allow the planned shipyard to bypass a CEQA-required environmental review process by utilizing an existing environmental impact report has been postponed indefinitely. This decision effectively ends the proposal for the rest of the year, potentially impacting future development plans in the region.

A recent study conducted by researchers at Ball State University challenges the common belief that the presence of wind or solar farms negatively affects nearby home values. The researchers analyzed home sales data in Indiana from 2004 to 2024, comparing properties situated near large wind turbines and utility-scale solar farms with those located farther away.

The results indicate that there is no statistically significant negative impact on residential property values in the vicinity of these renewable energy projects. This finding may provide reassurance to potential buyers and stakeholders regarding the economic implications of renewable energy developments.