Charlie Colasurdo

A group of about six people in casual business attire and helmets ride bicycles along dedicated cycling infrastructure through a linear park lined with trees, water, and flowers, in Kunshan, China.

A group of about six people in casual business attire and helmets ride bicycles along dedicated cycling infrastructure through a linear park lined with trees, water, and flowers, in Kunshan, China.

A group of about six people in casual business attire and helmets ride bicycles along dedicated cycling infrastructure through a linear park lined with trees, water, and flowers, in Kunshan, China.

A group of about six people in casual business attire and helmets ride bicycles along dedicated cycling infrastructure through a linear park lined with trees, water, and flowers, in Kunshan, China.

Having successfully attracted over 1,000 hightech companies, as well as the campus of Duke-Kunshan University—a prestigious international cooperation between Wuhan and Duke—it’s safe to say this strategy has paid off. Thanks to Professor Annemieke van den Dool for inviting Chris to visit this week.🔚

A group of about six people in casual business attire and helmets ride bicycles along dedicated cycling infrastructure through a linear park lined with trees, water, and flowers, in Kunshan, China.

A group of about six people in casual business attire and helmets ride bicycles along dedicated cycling infrastructure through a linear park lined with trees, water, and flowers, in Kunshan, China.

A group of about six people in casual business attire and helmets ride bicycles along dedicated cycling infrastructure through a linear park lined with trees, water, and flowers, in Kunshan, China.

A group of about six people in casual business attire and helmets ride bicycles along dedicated cycling infrastructure through a linear park lined with trees, water, and flowers, in Kunshan, China.

Much of this mobility infrastructure is interwoven with green and blue infrastructure, like the “Forest Living Corridor”—a 163 hectare ecological spine running through the centre of the city. These “sponge” elements restore the local biodiversity, and help deal with periods of intense heat and rain.

A group of about six people in casual business attire and helmets ride bicycles along dedicated cycling infrastructure through a linear park lined with trees, water, and flowers, in Kunshan, China.

A group of about six people in casual business attire and helmets ride bicycles along dedicated cycling infrastructure through a linear park lined with trees, water, and flowers, in Kunshan, China.

A group of about six people in casual business attire and helmets ride bicycles along dedicated cycling infrastructure through a linear park lined with trees, water, and flowers, in Kunshan, China.

A group of about six people in casual business attire and helmets ride bicycles along dedicated cycling infrastructure through a linear park lined with trees, water, and flowers, in Kunshan, China.

At the moment, cities across China are working tirelessly to attract new (foreign and domestic) business, talent, and tourists. In order to set itself apart from the competition, Kunshan has built and promoted over 100 kilometres of high-quality “slow travel” routes for transportation or recreation.

A group of about six people in casual business attire and helmets ride bicycles along dedicated cycling infrastructure through a linear park lined with trees, water, and flowers, in Kunshan, China.

A group of about six people in casual business attire and helmets ride bicycles along dedicated cycling infrastructure through a linear park lined with trees, water, and flowers, in Kunshan, China.

A group of about six people in casual business attire and helmets ride bicycles along dedicated cycling infrastructure through a linear park lined with trees, water, and flowers, in Kunshan, China.

A group of about six people in casual business attire and helmets ride bicycles along dedicated cycling infrastructure through a linear park lined with trees, water, and flowers, in Kunshan, China.

Situated 60 kilometres west of Shanghai, Kunshan is “small” city home to two million residents, and a number of bike producers including Giant and Shimano. In recent years, it has established its brand as a cycling city, as part of a strategy to put itself on the map as “Kunshan Innovation Valley”.🧵

Photos from a cycling event in Kunshan, China that included a bike ride, guest lecture, and roundtable discussion.

Photos from a cycling event in Kunshan, China that included a bike ride, guest lecture, and roundtable discussion.

Photos from a cycling event in Kunshan, China that included a bike ride, guest lecture, and roundtable discussion.

Photos from a cycling event in Kunshan, China that included a bike ride, guest lecture, and roundtable discussion.

This week, the DCE joined a special cycling symposium in Kunshan, China.

International Relations Manager Chris Bruntlett participated in a guest lecture, roundtable discussion and bike tour, along with representatives from Duke-Kunshan University, Netherlands Embassy in Beijing and the Giant Group.

People walk, cycle, and dine along car-free streets lined with trees, terraces, benches, and gardens in Strasbourg’s city centre.

People walk, cycle, and dine along car-free streets lined with trees, terraces, benches, and gardens in Strasbourg’s city centre.

People walk, cycle, and dine along car-free streets lined with trees, terraces, benches, and gardens in Strasbourg’s city centre.

People walk, cycle, and dine along car-free streets lined with trees, terraces, benches, and gardens in Strasbourg’s city centre.

Full photo gallery of Rue du 22 Novembre in Strasbourg, which was reimagined as a car-free “living street” in 2019.

The curb was removed, and shade trees, rain gardens, benches, lighting, and terraces were added. Local deliveries by motor vehicle are permitted within specified hours: bit.ly/4jbMp4w

A before and after collage of an urban street in Strasbourg. The before image is a wide asphalt expanse lined with parked cars. The after image a vibrant street filled with trees and vegetation, pedestrians, cyclists, and terraces.

The best way to remake a city is through transport.

By changing how people move, Strasbourg is changing the spaces they use; transitioning from hostile, car-dominated places to ones more vibrant, welcoming, and resilient to today’s challenges.

Rue du 22 Novembre: 2018 vs 2025 (Top 📷: B. Poussard).

to a treaty ally. imagine if the Australian prime minister flew to Guam and said this. or if leaders from Latin America went to Puerto Rico and pulled a stunt like this.

China swoops in to replace Asian USAID projects axed by Trump Chinese aid projects are seeking to provide school supplies and hand-washing materials, among other goals. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The US cancelled two aid projects in Cambodia in late February – one to encourage child literacy and another to improve nutrition and development for kids under five. A week later, China’s aid agency announced funding for programmes to achieve almost identical goals.

Love Durham, NC

Hop Park, Green Pop-up Hop into the Greeniverse / Shma Company Limited Completed in 2024 in Pathum Wan, Thailand. Images by Nawin Deangnul. Hop Park is a project that instantly creates a green space that requires low maintenance and makes the least change to the original...

Check out the full gallery of photos from the project: www.archdaily.com/1020099/hop-...

Some more graphics outlining Bangkok-based landscape architecture firm Shma's vision for the pop-up park.

Its 20,000 plants are containerized, allowing for the park to be easily rearranged, moved, or deconstructed.

The park features multiple zones emphasizing wellness, edible plants, ecological diversity, and green air, among others.

Traversing the skywalk amidst scorching Bangkok heat can usually be uncomfortable, but I'm curious to see how the plantings paired with the shade structures improve the experience.

The heavily trafficked skywalk is adjacent to the Bangkok Art and Culture Center the National Stadium, MBK Center, Siam Square, and Siam Discovery malls, and Siam and National Stadium BTS Skytrain stations, in an area severely lacking green space and fully paved over.

Another fantastic green space on the Patumwan skywalk in Bangkok from last year: Hop Park, a pop-up park designed by Shma Company Limited.

In one of the world's most visited cities, where millions depend on the dispersion of an informal vending economy for their livelihood or their next meal, we cannot afford to consolidate vendors away from where the customers are.

- Nominating street food culture in Bangkok for UNESCO status*

- Build apprenticeship and incubation programs for street vendors

Excited to see that last year, @unesco.org listed Tom Yum Kung as part of Thailand’s intangible cultural heritage.

- Establishing a Tuk-Tuk culinary tourism program

- Launching a social media campaign to profile street food vendors

- Developing and promoting neighborhood food guides in collaboration with local NGOs

Some initial recommendations from my then-23-year-old self:

- Widening sidewalks

- Designating mixed-use areas for street food vending adjacent to key tourist attractions

- Allowing street food vending in proximity to hospitality and residential areas

We need an interdisciplinary approach—leveraging urban design, technology, and education—to sustain this vital part of Bangkok’s identity.

Authorities seem to believe vending and “civilized” streets can’t coexist, undervaluing its role for both locals and tourists. But as experts like Jorge Carrillo Rodriguez highlight, distributed street food networks near offices, transit hubs, and attractions affordably feed millions.

In 2023, I published my senior thesis on how Bangkok’s public policies shape food culture—particularly street food and culinary tourism. It’s disappointing to see little progress in addressing the challenges vendors face.

With some fantastic photos too, also by Jack Board @channelnewsasia.bsky.social

In Pictures: Will Bangkok's move to Singapore-style hawker centres kill the city's street food scene? Ms Nampueng Thong-auam and Mr Somjai Bangsuwannarat have witnessed history on many occasions from their vantage spot in central Bangkok, Thailand.  For four decades, the couple have run a food cart se...

Important piece on the vital role street food plays in Bangkok from Jack Board www.channelnewsasia.com/today/visual...

Skybridge at Central Chidlom

To learn more about the project and see the full photo gallery by Panoramic Studio: landscape-tectonix.com/en/work/view...

And these details! Love a bit of urban forestry suspended over Phloen Chit Road.

Bangkok’s streetscapes—especially off of some of the major thoroughfares—are incredibly car-dominated and can be hostile to pedestrians, so these skybridges provide a valuable means of navigating the city, especially adjacent to public transit.

I love that they added spaces to sit and socialize, especially for those “in-between” moments before and after meetings, meals, etc. I’ve spent so much time wandering aimlessly on these skybridges, it’s great to see people taking advantage of these new public (private?) spaces.