A World Reimagined- Building A City With Autonomous Cars

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Carter Boehm discusses how autonomous cars could rule our highways

 

 

Something strange is happening in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The shadow of an emerging city creeps over the landscape, and by passers remain mystified by this unknown change, whose presence they can now feel. This shadow, this growing city over the landscape has been called -Mcity. Mcty is a place where transportation consists solely of robotic vehicles that steer themselves without a human at the wheel. This new innovation- driverless cars, must navigate several miles of the urban grid using a complex reliance on software, wireless communications, and sensor technology to get to and from their point of destination. Sounds impressive right? Well Mcity is just a simulation.

The buildings, as Urban Land Institute reports, “ are just facades, and the inhabitants unexpectedly step off curbs are just mechanized mannequins. Jonathan Levine, a University of Michigan professor of architecture and Urban Planning told the magazine “ You wouldn’t mistake it for a movie set, let alone a real city.” A new study introduced this year, relayed that the Boston Consulting Group, major automakers such as General motors are already rushing to add gadgetry that would give these cars an ability to pilot themselves on a low speed, stop and start traffic- jam conditions or in single lanes on highways, or even to find parking spaces and pull into them without human help.

This technology could really change the way we see our landscapes, in the same way that the urban street car or interstate highway was instrumental in developing the suburban and urban landscape in the US. “I think it’s going to be the most important transformational change in 100 years,” says Randall K. Rowe, chairman of Green Courte Partners, an Illinois-based private equity real estate investment firm. “It’s going to change the way we get around, the way we transport goods, and how we look at land use.”

Many experts in varying fields believe that driverless cars could start a revolution in the way we live. In a previous post, I mentioned some of the propositions for a walkable city. Well, not everyone is in full agreement with the Mcity model. Many worry about safety first, even though autonomous vehicle advocates point to Google’s experience, in which its experimental vehicles have travelled for 1.7 million miles on regular road, and a total of 11 minor accidents to its name. There are other debates on the table which present the argument that autonomous cars can free our roads of distracted drivers, and this in turn could make our cities even much more walkable.

Whether a city is walkable or driverless, it is important to remember that technological advancements in society have the ability to impact our landscape in a way that could potentially benefit or drive us out of our living spaces.

To learn more about MCity and the reimagination of a city without drivers, visit this article by Urban Land Institute

3 Important Questions To Ask Before You Purchase Land

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Becoming a first time home owner can be a daunting and sometimes cumbersome process, and purchasing your first plot of land can be just the same whether it’s a lot in a development or acres of land. Let’s go over some of the basics to help ease your mind purchasing a spot for your dream home and allow you to sign that contract with confidence.

Getting started, it’s essential to identify exactly what it is you’re looking for and rank what qualities are most important to you in case you (and it’s quite possible you will) have to compromise on what you want. There is no “perfect” lot out there. This will help eliminate properties that don’t match your requirements and aren’t worth looking at. Create a checklist to help stay organized and rank the listings you look at.

Here are 3 questions you will definitely need to know the answers to:

Can you build the floor plan you desire for the lot?

You need to determine if the land can be used how you envision it. Laws from state to state vary so it’s important to research this before you look up  anything. Keep in mind that selling a buyer an unbuildable (or not suited for what you want) lot is not illegal.

For example, say you would like to build a four-bedroom, two story house but the lot is restricted to only one story ranchers. This would be a problem.

Where is your water coming from?

The land you’re looking at could already have a well drilled or already shares a well with neighbors or you might have to drill your own. These are all potential options. If a well is in place, make sure to obtain the depth, flow rate, and quality of water from the well.

What is the Zoning?

For every lot there are zoning ordinances set up by the localized planning board. This is designed to regulate how the land is used and that is in accordance with their goals for the area. For example, say you wanted to start a cattle farm. You can view as many acres of land as you like, but if it is not zoned properly, you will not be having cattle.

Ask these Questions too:

What’s the soil type?

Are there high water tables?

Are there any issues with sewer drainage?

Purchasing land is an exciting venture and getting as much knowledge as possible will help make the process easier for you and hopefully, make it a pleasurable one.

Info courtesy of buildingadvisor

3 Things To Know About Building a Real Estate Career

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Real Estate is a versatile field. The ability to wear many hats on and off the ground, as well as the opportunity to engage in communications, government relations, buying and land development capacity is key to the success and understanding of this part of the business. There are many options within the field, and plenty of careers to choose from in development within the commercial or residential side of the business. People who find joy or interest in building homes or living spaces usually find themselves in residential real estate. The commercial end is not limited by personal taste, but is bigger in scale and one will find themselves dealing with larger property. This side of the business attracts people who are sales oriented and interested in commerce.

Here are 3 things to consider when you are looking to begin a career in real estate.

  1. Education and Licensing :Taking a real estate pre-licensing course within your state is important to gain certification. Different states have different rules and mandates in the issue of gaining your license as a real estate agent. Passing state and national licensing exams will also prove to be helpful in gaining the first brokerage experience at an agency.
  2. Brokerage and mentorship experience: Working in a brokerage gives agents the opportunity to gain clients and learn the ins and outs of working at a real estate firm. Brokerages are the offices from which real estate agents and brokers work. Working with a broker is a requirement in order to practice as a real estate agent, contacting a broker before graduating from a real estate course in order to learn more about the business is one of the best ways to learn about the business and what working in a brokerage entails. Most brokers tend to have three additional years of real estate training, and they can provide answers to questions on working within the agency.
  3. Developing a Real Estate Agent Budget: Learning to manage one’s self and finances will go a long way in working in this business. Unlike most professions, the startup costs of working in real estate are relatively reasonable. Some of the costs range from $1,500- 2000. It is often divided amongst business cards, signs, advertising and association fees.


Predictors of Commercial Real Estate Development_299x200

 

Being a real estate agent means that you are making money based on commission. It is a commission based business so keeping money aside for a few months is highly encouraged, especially when you are just beginning in the field.

To find out more about real estate and real estate careers see this extensive write up on investopedia