Further to my post on downside scenarios in the Ukraine a few weeks ago (who would have thought that developments play out the way they did since!), herewith some reflections on how political risk analysis in investment may seem important and futile at the same time.
Tumbleweed Rhizome – Haim Sokol
No visit to Montreal is complete without the architectural marvel that is Habitat 67. Initially conceived as the Master’s dissertation by McGill Master’s student Moshe Safdie, it is one of the most daring residential projects ever to have been built. We braved the cold and snow last weekend and took a walk to the site.
We got back from a weekend visiting friends in Montreal yesterday. There is a daily Amtrak service from NYC Penn Station all the way to Canada. It takes a bit more than ten hours yet is surprisingly very affordable. Herewith some impressions from the short trip up north.
Looking at Elevator #2 from McGill Street
As forewarned, I am going to jot down further notes from inspiring readings that have made me enter 2014 on a more thoughtful note. After pondering a radical article on the failure of “green capitalism”, herewith unsorted reflections on Peter Buchanan’s “Big Rethink” on architecture, published on Architectural Review over 2012 and 2013.
Montreal real estate development
It’s one of these buildings that everyone has seen but hardly anyone remembers. If, then for its seeming ugliness and prime location next to the Brooklyn Bridge. 375 Pearl Street, or the Verizon Building as it’s also known, does not have the best reputation.
I just got back from an interesting paper presentation at Columbia. The authors looked at the impact the long “Lost Decade” had on the labour market and countered the commonly held assumption that dismal economic growth has led to a surge in “bad” jobs.
Night scene – Yamamote Line