Muzaffarnagar, India

Looking rather traditional, these multi-generational men represent the Muslim population of Muzaffarnagar. Muslims are just slightly outnumbered by Hindus, which a decade ago meant there was reason for conflict. [2011]

Muzaffarnagar, India

Looking rather hip, and with enough disposable income for shopping (see the designer bag?) and cell phones, these young men represent the Hindu population of Muzaffarnagar. Questions: (1) Why would anyone wear a long-sleeve shirt in the humid subtropics during summer? (2) What is that huge mound in the background? [2011]

Oranjestad, Aruba

Aruba: "small-island ambiance with European overtones." The island is only as large as a small U.S. county and has only a single tram line, which links the cruise port with Oranjestad's central shopping precinct. Oranjestad? With a name like that, why isn't anything orange?  An orange tram would be a nice Dutch overtone. [2017]

Alexandria, Louisiana, USA

Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Small Business Saturday have passed; November is on its way out; and tomorrow begins a month of planning for Christmas. Kids everywhere will be writing letters to Santa, and some communities will have a special delivery service to the North Pole. [2022]

Dallastown, Pennsylvania, USA

Every small town needs at least one coffee shop. It's a matter of livability, a place to be seen, and a key to community building. If the corporate sector is not responding along your Main Street, maybe one of the churches will. That's the story of Common Grounds. See the fish swimming around in the cup of coffee? [2019]

Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Most people could not name, let along locate, Bulgaria's second largest city, but this directional signpost makes it look like Plovdiv is at the center of everything. It casts a spell of importance over the city's central square. Okayama, Japan, is only 8300 km away and Petra, Jordan, is only 549 km. [2010]

Jeffersonville, Indiana, USA

Outdoor dining, weather permitting, may be the urban equivalent of having a picnic in a bucolic woods. Does that make these parasols (call them umbrellas if you want) equivalent to a tree canopy? [2022]

Providence, Rhode Island, USA

You can watch as Garfield's cousin gets a spit shine on the streets of Providence. Sometimes, pounding the pavement is as good as going to the theater: performance art everywhere! [2021]

Kansas City, Missouri, USA

It looks a little too modern to be historical, but better than nothing to proclaim pride in city history. Some cities do a good job at preserving buildings. Others excel at preserving ensembles of buildings and landmarks that add up to historical landscapes. [2021]

Bismarck, North Dakota, USA

Why should streets get all the attention? On a street it would matter if donations sprawled out onto the pavement, but alleys can be a little more tolerant. Some cities have abundant alleyways (think: Pennsylvania). Others have none. Alleys really took a hard hit with the great suburbanization movement after World War II. [2021]

Mumbai, India

What's throwing a little shade here on the streets of Mumbai? A tree that deserves your respect, not your contempt. Even after it fell over, this tree continued to grow. It simply changed directions. What is the purpose of all the planters stationed around it? [2011]

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Flatiron buildings were perfect for intersections where two streets came together at an acute angle. They needed a more triangular shape, one that was like the front of the appliance we still use for pressing clothes: an iron, or flatiron. This one is the Gooderham Building. [2010]

New York, New York, USA

Covid Behaviors: Get tested. In big cities, testing stations were on the street. Most of us, however, took advantage of our local drug store's drive-thru. Eventually, though, self-test kits became available at stores and on-line. How many times did you get tested or test yourself? [2021]

Bucharest, Romania

All of sudden, on this hot summer day, are you ready for "the pause that refreshes"? In the capitalist world, which has included Romania since 1989, the power of suggestion is everywhere. Even more suggestive might be the power of neon. But that would be so retro. Both the "pause" slogan and the neon sign go back to the 1920s. [2014]
 

Newport, Rhode Island, USA

What does a standard-issue street sign look like? Take a gander at Thames Street. Nothing more, nothing less than what we need for wayfinding. And, while not particularly aesthetic, it does no harm to the streetscape. Even its location in our visual field, at slightly above arms reach, is where we expect to get the information we need. [2008]

New York, New York, USA

Covid-19 Testing: $0 Cost: Stations like this one are all over New York City. You can't get much cheaper or more convenient. Judging from the prevalence of masks, the people of New York seem to be taking the pandemic seriously. And, whether you're going to a Broadway show or to eat out, prepare to show your vaccination card. [2021]

Red Wing, Minnesota, USA

 
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Finally, an answer: "Dear Jumbo, Eggciting news! The research is conclusive. THE EGG CAME FIRST! Signed, The World Poultry Council." How long have we all be waiting by our mailboxes to get an answer to that question? [2021]

New York, New York, USA

Manhattan's Garment District should really be called the Fashion District. Garment manufacturing has been experiencing a steady decline, but the concentration of the world's most favored labels continues to light up the neighborhood with sparks of new ideas for looking good. By whatever name, though, push carts and porters continue their traditional roles. [2018]

Warrenton, Virginia, USA

Every town's dream: a bakery-cum-coffee shop on Main Street. Every local economy's dream: whole-grain flour milled on site, eggs from nearby chickens, milk from southern Pennsylvania, local honey, coffee roasted two counties away. Every community's dream: a business that donates to the county food bank. Every dog's dream: a water dish by the door. [2021]

Athens, Greece

 

Greece has about 30 Starbucks per 10 million inhabitants. Compare that to Italy with its 2 per 10 million, and with the UK with its 111 per 10 million. Clearly, there is dramatic spatial variation in the distribution of Starbucks across Europe. Why? Look for explanations in the realms of economic, cultural, social, political, and environmental geography. [2006]