Select a Feature
- (x)architects
- Conservation Conversation
- Debate of the Week
- Design for the Masses
- EcoFashion
- Ecovore
- Ecstatic Meditation
- Food For Thought
- Food vs Sprawl
- Humanity and Horizon
- If Conference
- Image of the Week
- Interviews
- Japarity
- Living Light
- London Olympics 2012
- MicroFinance
- Music On Monday
- Observe and Learn
- Plastic World
- Podcasts
- Poster of the Week
- Rio +20
- Startup Lab
- Sustainable Travel
- Synthetic Biology
- Technovation
- The Art of Photography
- Urban Environmentalism
- Urban Pixel
- Wake of Liberty
(x)architects
In an effort to debunk some of the preconceptions / misconceptions / myths of the profession of architecture, while illuminating the depth and breadth of ambitious practices and theses that a professional degree in architecture ignites, this series will feature a variety of interviews from (x)architects. An (x)architect is someone with a professional degree in architecture, licensed or not, who has ambitiously ventured above and beyond just the built work, whether by choice or in light of the recent crisis. They might still be fully active within the “built project” world but they define more than just the traditional architecture. They are the e(x)plorers, the (x)factors, or simply an e(x)-architect, yet all are making dynamic contributions to the ongoing speculations on the future of design.
Conservation Conversation
A profound insight into the dire status of Earth’s ecosystems, land and sea. Is this the most important conversation on our planet today?
Debate of the Week
Our authors take the challenge of exploring a controversial topic of debate, whether it be current or something that has been disagreed upon for longer periods of time. We encourage our users to get involved and share their own views.
Design for the Masses
Some people dismiss design as a purely aesthetic, luxury pursuit only afforded to the latte sippers of the world. This view is comparable to dismissing the entire medical profession for its plastic surgeons. 'Design For The Masses' investigates design in its capacity for global good, depicting how it is a driving force behind the well-being of the greater populace and should be prioritized by governments, even in times of economic hardship.
EcoFashion
This series hopes to shed some light on the eco fashion industry by exploring elements such as the sustainability, culture, ecology, psychology, labour and future of fashion. Our authors explore to what extent eco fashion is on the cusp of becoming the next big trend.
Ecovore
One fearless bicyclist has been traveling a lot lately. They call her the ECOVORE. Ride along on a journey to mouth-watering and mind-tingling places.
Ecstatic Meditation
These \"ecstatic meditations\", or \" “shots of philosophical espresso” by Jason Silva explore various facets of the human condition through the lens of imagination, ecstasy, love, beauty, etc. The idea is that each vignette immerses you in a feeling, a concept, a way of seeing the world. Similarly to his techno-utopian rants, these are meant to ‘epiphanize’ and provide an artful antidote to existential despair.
Food For Thought
Anything - albeit an image, video, quote, poem, prose or music - that takes your mind that extra mile to make you... THINK.
Food vs Sprawl
A diverse group of Urban Times Authors volunteer information on their eating habits in this series of Five Day Food Diaries. 'Food vs. Sprawl' investigates how their lifestyles impact their food choices.
Humanity and Horizon
Surpassing the limitations of our planet and venturing further into space is an essential ingredient to our long-term survival. What is on the Humanity's Horizon?
If Conference
Urban Times is proud to present it\'s online partnership with the IQ2 If Conference. We attended this outstanding two-day talk to find our minds fully blown by an array of leading innovators, thought-leaders and futurists. Each of them gave a 15-minute speech that we present to you as part of the new Feature series: If Conference.
Image of the Week
Each week we take a beautiful photograph from across the world and give it to you. We suggest using them as your desktop background image!
Interviews
Urban Times conducts exclusive interviews with thought leaders in a range of fields. The topics vary, but all are centered on driving solutions through optimistic forward-thinking.
Japarity
The Urban Times Samurai is not a myth. He is working hard in Japan. From Kyoto he writes 'Japarity'. A series that will discuss the world’s precarious relationship with Energy. Why in 2011 energy use per person is directly proportional to GDP/capita. Why energy policy today will determine our personal quality of life in a decade. And how international relations have become energy relations.
Living Light
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville was chosen as one of the 20 teams to compete in the Solar Decathlon 2011 competition. The 'Living Light' Series follows the team as they pursue an affordable housing unit built on the principles of low energy, small footprint, and maximum use of daylighting and passive design strategies. Their home avoids visual and physical clutter and integrates technology seamlessly into the design.
London Olympics 2012
Urban Times is proud to present its London Olympics 2012 feature series. From now until the Games in July and August this year we will be taking an in-depth look at all things Olympic, from the sportspeople and the event planners, to the wider impact on London and the UK, to similar world-class events.
MicroFinance
A rare inside look into the world of Micro-Finance. Does it deserve the bad press, or does it effectively fight Global Poverty and exemplify “profit with purpose”?
Music On Monday
Featuring all genres of music that have one common grain: they make your feet tap.
Observe and Learn
OBSERVE. LEARN. Need we say more?
Plastic World
Plastic is wonderful. It percolates the very fabric of our complex society. It is one of humanity’s greatest achievements. It has defied nature. We have created a material that is, for all intensive purposes, immortal. Imagine that you are a time-traveller. You travel back to Britain a millennium ago and you bury a plastic bag deep underground on British soil during the reign of William I (1066). After the reigns of fifty monarchs had passed, you return to that spot and dig. That plastic bag will not have fully decomposed... Therein lies the problem.
Podcasts
Interviews for you to listen to.
Poster of the Week
Here goes our new typographic poster series, which aims to help you get in touch with your inner designer… whether you know how to yet or not. Poster of the Week will be the kick start for a larger goal: giving you the tools, inspiration and guidance to become amateur designers yourself.
Rio +20
The UN will be holding a major conference on sustainable development in June 2012: Rio+20. The Urban Times' Rio+20 series will be taking an in-depth look at a range of issues in global development: from how to build sustainable cities for a growing population, to how to preserve our oceans.
Startup Lab
THE STARTUP LAB is a series dedicated to spotlighting startup companies that highlight the growing interface between strong entrepreneurship and social and environmental sustainability.
Sustainable Travel
Sustainability should be on the forefront of everybody\\\'s mind before planning their next trip. This series will give you tips on how to ensure that your travels minimise your carbon footprint, and help give back to local communities, while also spotlighting those lodges/hotels that are doing their utmost to ensure this.
Synthetic Biology
Public perception of synthetic biology remains extremely hazy. 'Synthetic Biology' delves into how the living world around us can be used as a tool for progress, whether through the engineering of molecules, or for the vast range of applications in medicine, energy and the environment.
Technovation
Commencing with an exploration into what is touched upon at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Technovation aims to spotlight the latest gadgets and gizmos fusing technology and innovation
The Art of Photography
Learn how to compose and capture beautiful photography with an award-winning nature photographer.
Urban Environmentalism
The world has almost reached a tipping point in the relationship between human population growth and the subsequent increased need for resources for survival on the planet. 'Urban Environmentalism' spotlights the cities which through their sustainable approach to design and community living are spearheading the drive for solutions.
Urban Pixel
A feature series on Urban Times that documents the issues and scenes of the urban landscape through photography. By visually representing an interesting topic, concern or element of our cities, we hope to create a catalogue of solutions-based content that treats the eye. We are encouraging participation from everyone! So if you feel you have the adequate photography and backstory, send us a tweet @theurbantimes, include the #UrbanPixel hashtag, and a link to the photo piece so we can re-tweet our favorites, and include them in future #UrbanPixel posts. (Alternatively one can email charlie[at]theurbn[dot]com with the photo and description for review).
Wake of Liberty
'Wake of Liberty' is a roller-coaster tour of the French Revolution and its numerous events and characters. It reveals the era as has never been seen before, offering insight not only on the forces that shaped modern society, but also on the politics of crisis in general.