Mauricio Rocha | TaAU | Alejandro Castro | OMA | Michel Desvigne | Robert Moses | El Equipo Mazzanti | ContraFuerte |  Batlleiroig | Christian Kerez Earlier this year, news broke that levels of fine particulate matter in Paris had dropped by an astounding 55 per cent since 2005. Through a combination of regulation and public policy, the city has vastly reduced the number of cars on its streets, introducing bike lanes and public green spaces in the place of around 50,000 parking spaces. This issue is dedicated to roads and the architectures that support them. Cities around the world are reckoning with 20th-century car-oriented urban planning, as epitomised by Robert Moses’s New York (p36). Existing roads are increasingly repurposed for broader uses, prioritising pedestrians, cyclists and other forms of movement. São Paulo’s Minhocão has been gradually reclaimed by residents, and the restoration of a historical promenade in Reus is inclusive for all. Meanwhile, OMA’s new bridge in Bordeaux is designed to host public events – as well as six lanes of motorised traffic. Elsewhere, automobile infrastructure continues to expand; in Bahrain, four new car parks stand largely empty, and a roadside service station in Colombia is yet to be occupied. Roads promise prosperity and progress, often with expansionist ambitions; as Nadi Abusaada writes, ‘The road is both the myth and mechanism of the colonial frontier’.  Electric vehicles are now heralded as the future of transport, but as Nelo Magalhães writes in this issue’s keynote, ‘EVs do nothing to change the mass of roads or the issue of their maintenance’. The shift needed is more radical and wide‑reaching.  1522: Roads cover (above)Highway #5, Los Angeles, California, USA (2009) is part of Edward Burtynsky: The Great Acceleration, an exhibition on view at the International Center of Photography in New York City until 28 September. In it, a motorway bulldozes its way through suburbia, sending out smaller branches that further subdivide it. Credit: © Edward Burtynsky, courtesy Flowers Gallery, London folio (lead image)Home follows a family living in a house next to an uncompleted motorway, who reclaim it, temporarily, as an extension of their home. Credit: Album / Alamy keynote How much does your road weigh? Nelo Magalhãesbuilding Malecón de Villahermosa by Taller de Arquitectura Mauricio Rocha, TaAU and Alejandro Castro in Villahermosa, Mexico Laure Nashed building Simon Veil bridge by OMA and Michel Desvigne Paysagiste in Bordeaux, France John Bingham-Hall reputations Robert Moses Andy Battlebuilding Control and operations centre by El Equipo Mazzanti and ContraFuerte in Bolombolo, Colombia Felipe Walter essay Cape to Cairo Sara Salem essay A short history of the roadblock Jan-Werner Müller outrage The Amazonian road to COP30 Martha Dillonrevisit Schlangenbader Straße estate in Berlin, Germany Sophie Lovell essay Living with the Big Worm Richard J Williamsbuilding Passeig de Boca de la Mina by Batlleiroig in Reus, Spain Blanca Pujals essay Taking Norway’s scenic routes Tomà Berlanda building Pearling Path car parks by Christian Kerez in Muharraq, Bahrain Oliver Wainwright typology Petrol station Tom Wilkinson essay The road is the frontier Nadi Abusaada

The Hell Gate Bridge is a railroad bridge in New York City, United States. The bridge carries two tracks of Amtrak's Northeast Corridor and one freight track between Astoria, Queens, and Port Morris, Bronx, via Randalls and Wards Islands. Its main span is a 1,017-foot (310 m) steel through arch across Hell Gate, a strait of the East River that separates Wards Island from Queens. The New York Connecting Railroad began construction of the bridge in 1912, and it opened in 1917. The main span, a two-hinged arch flanked by stone towers on either bank of Hell Gate, was the world's longest steel arch bridge until the Bayonne Bridge opened in 1931. It is one of the few rail connections from Long Island, of which Queens is part, to the rest of the United States. This panoramic photograph shows the main span of the Hell Gate Bridge. The photograph was taken in 2023 looking northeast from the neighboring Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, with Wards Island on the left of the image and Astoria on the right. A tugboat tows a barge in the foreground towards the Hell Gate Bridge. Photograph credit: Rhododendrites Recently featured: Anemonoides blanda Bluespotted ribbontail ray Black Lives Matter art Archive More featured pictures

Ignace Tonené (1840 or 1841 – 15 March 1916), also known as Nias or by his Ojibwe name Maiagizis ('right/correct sun'), was a Teme-Augama Anishnabai chief, fur trader, and gold prospector in Upper Canada. He was a prominent employee of the Hudson's Bay Company. Tonené was the elected deputy chief before being the lead chief and later the life chief of his community. In his role as deputy, he negotiated with the Canadian federal government and the Ontario provincial government, advocating for his community to receive annual financial support from both. His attempts to secure land reserves for his community were thwarted by the Ontario premier Oliver Mowat. Tonené's prospecting triggered a 1906 gold rush and the creation of Kerr Addison Mines Ltd., although one of his claims was stolen from him by white Canadian prospectors. This photograph shows Tonené in 1909. Photograph credit: William John Winter; restored by Adam Cuerden Recently featured: Australian white ibis Hell Gate Bridge Anemonoides blanda Archive More featured pictures

The Australian white ibis (Threskiornis molucca) is a wading bird of the ibis family, Threskiornithidae. It is widespread across much of Australia, and has a predominantly white plumage with a bare, black head, long downcurved bill, and black legs. While it is closely related to the African sacred ibis, the Australian white ibis is a native Australian bird. Due to its increasing presence in the urban environment and its habit of rummaging in garbage, the species has acquired a variety of colloquial names such as "tip turkey" and "bin chicken". This Australian white ibis was photographed at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. Photograph credit: Charles J. Sharp Recently featured: Hell Gate Bridge Anemonoides blanda Bluespotted ribbontail ray Archive More featured pictures

Summer is here, and you're probably already packing your calendar with vacation escapes, backyard BBQs, and weekend road trips. Of course, the fan-favorite destination for this hot season is the beach, where the breeze is cool and the water is refreshing. But what if we told you that you didn't have to book an Airbnb or waterfront hotel in a beach town the next time you wanted to take a dip in one of nature's pools? Turns out, a beach house may be more in reach than you thought! Zillow recently pulled some data to identify the 20 most affordable seaside cities where you can make your vacation home dreams a reality.While we're not saying these options will get you a beach house on the cheap, the locations typically offer a range of properties with lower price tags that still give you access to the ocean, as well as all the charm that comes with a seaside locale (think Mom and Pop ice cream shops, quaint shopping, and more). Of the top 20, you'll find that Florida dominates the list, with a few other states sprinkled in. Keep reading to see which beach towns have the lowest typical home values, but still all of the sandy perks.For more real estate stories:1Atlantic City, NJFederico ScottoAtlantic City may be best known for its casinos, but the iconic boardwalk along the Atlantic Ocean is a close second. There's plenty to do in this shore town, from visiting the amusement park and eating fresh seafood to spreading out on the sand. Since you're so close to New York City, day trips from either location are extremely easy as well.Typical home value: $215,336Learn More2Daytona Beach, FLFlavio Vallenari//Getty ImagesAny NASCAR fan is familiar with Daytona Beach, but did you know that this Northeastern Florida city is also a festival hub? Every year, the city hosts over 60 different art, music, and other cultural festivals, giving residents and tourists alike opportunities to experience new things. Though you could easily spend every day on the beach, there are plenty of other museums, adventures, and opportunities to try out.Typical home value: $251,750Learn MoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Deerfield Beach, FLWiniker:Getty ImagesThe small city of Deerfield Beach is ideal if you want to experience South Florida's beaches without the crowds. Located between Boca Raton and Pompano Beach, the town is known for its fishing pier and abundance of outdoor water activities, like paddle-boarding, surfing, and water skiing. Typical home value: Learn More4Myrtle Beach, SCDale Fornoff:Getty ImagesMyrtle Beach is a seaside locale with 60 miles of sandy beach and 14 unique communities meshed together. It provides plenty of classic beach town activities, such as a fun boardwalk and theme park, and is generally a family-friendly location. There are plenty of things to do and places to explore, from the Waccamaw River to 90 different golf courses. Typical home value: $300,720Learn MoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Hallandale Beach, FLTHEPALMER:Getty ImagesSouth of Fort Lauderdale and north of Miami, Hallandale Beach is home to Gulfstream Park Racing and a handful of public beaches. It's a smaller community that offers a classic beach day if you want to escape the crowds. Typical home value: $301,130Learn More6Pinellas Park, FLMatthew Lindahl : 500px:Getty ImagesPart of the St. Petersburg metropolitan area, Pinellas Park has a population of about 53,000 and provides access to a string of beaches along the northwestern coast of Florida. Though small, there is an arts and culture scene in the town that highlights the community's creative DNA. Typical home value: $314,991Learn MoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7West Haven, CTRedtea:Getty ImagesLocated on the Long Island Sound, West Haven is an affordable option not far from New York City. This town has the longest stretch of public beaches in the state, where you can swim, sunbathe, fish, and explore. Typical home value: $326,043Learn More8Galveston, TXWirestock//Getty ImagesWith over 30 miles of beaches, Galveston is the only Texas seaside city on this list. It's located on the balmy Gulf of Mexico, where there are plenty of museums and art galleries you can visit, along with beaches. The area also has a well-known restaurant scene.Typical home value: $333,127Learn MoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Palm Coast, FLMichael Warren:Getty ImagesParks, museums, beaches—oh, my! Palm Coast is on the Northeast side of Florida and offers plenty of fun. Relax or fish at one of the beaches, then head over to Washington Oaks Gardens State Park for some biking amid the lush gardens before ending your day at the Florida Agricultural Museum. Did we mention that there's also plenty of delicious seafood to be had?Typical home value: $351,404Learn More10Largo, FLalex grichenko:Getty ImagesSouth of Clearwater, Largo offers access to beaches and two larger metropolitan areas, perfect for the homeowner who wants to be near the action but not caught up in it. There are multiple parks to visit in the town, and art lovers will appreciate all the shows and performances. Typical home value: $353,576Learn MoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Pompano Beach, FLLagunaticPhoto:Getty ImagesPompano Beach is a hidden gem on the Gold Coast, neighboring Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Hollywood. The city offers miles of beach with temperate waters from the Gulf Stream, as well as plenty of things to do, like snorkeling, shopping, festivals, and golfing. Typical home value: $356,795Learn More12Delray Beach, FLThomas Green:Getty ImagesFor a mix of water activities and a thriving art scene, consider Delray Beach. The arts district is part of what makes this South Florida city so special, and the municipal beach is just the cherry on top. It can definitely get busy on a nice day.Typical home value: $359,963Learn MoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Clearwater, FLJohn Murphy Photography:Getty ImagesIf Clearwater's three miles of white sand beaches aren't enough to entice you, maybe the plethora of activities and events will. Clearwater is part of the Tampa-St. Petersburg metropolitan area, and it has plenty to offer, from the nightly festival at Pier 60 to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Typical home value: $362,300Learn More14Bradenton, FLDawn Damico:Getty ImagesExplore your love of the beach and historical sites in Bradenton along the Manatee River. For a small city, there's plenty to do, including the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, the riverwalk, the Manatee Village Historical Park, and multiple beaches.Typical home value: $370,091Learn MoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15St. Petersburg, FLJohn Coletti:Getty ImagesOne of the largest cities on this list in terms of population, St. Petersburg is known as the "Sunshine City" and is home to great shops, top-ranked beaches, and a thriving arts district. For those who want both beach and city life, this should be a top contender on your list. You can find multiple museums, like the Dali Museum and a living museum of botanicals and tropical plants at the Sunken Gardens.Typical home value: $372,035Learn More16Ormond Beach, FLArt Wager:Getty ImagesGet that small-town feel in Ormond Beach, which is at the northern end of the Daytona Beach area. It's a quieter refuge, though it's not lacking in culture. There are multiple state parks located in this town, along with museums and cultural centers that are good to visit when you're not taking a dip in the Atlantic. Typical home value: $379,800Learn MoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Oakland Park, FLShobeir Ansari:Getty ImagesOakland Park is just north of Fort Lauderdale and has excellent access to the metropolitan area's beaches. Think of this town of around 44,000 people as any other small American town, just with closer access to the Atlantic Ocean. Typical home value: $381,610Learn More18Riviera Beach, FLCrystal Bolin Photography:Getty ImagesRiviera Beach is just off the coast of Singer Island, and it's a wonderful location for those who love to bask in the sun and take in all types of water activities. There are multiple parks to explore and plenty of opportunities to see and learn about the marine life that lives in Florida.Typical home value: $397,829Learn MoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19West Palm Beach, FLMasao Taira:Getty ImagesThis bustling city might not be the most affordable destination on this list, but it offers a lot for its elevated prices. From exciting nightlife and exceptional culinary options to an exciting art scene, West Palm Beach is a vibrant destination with plenty of beach access. Typical home value: $403,731Learn More20Navarre, FLArt Wager:Getty ImagesThis small city in Western Florida, on the Gulf Coast, just an hour and a half from Mobile, Alabama, boasts white sand beaches, clear blue water, and proximity to Santa Rosa Island. It's a tranquil destination with opportunities to learn about marine life at the multiple refuges and conservation centers.Typical home value: $415,063Learn More

Anemonoides blanda, the Balkan anemone, Grecian windflower, or winter windflower, is a species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae. The species is native to southeast Europe and the Middle East. It grows up to 10 to 15 centimetres (4 to 6 inches) tall and is valued for its daisy-like flowers, which appear in early spring, a time when little else is in flower. The flowers are found in various colors and are radially symmetrical, containing seven or more sepals and petals. This purple A. blanda flower was photographed in Bamberg, Germany. Photograph credit: Reinhold Möller Recently featured: Bluespotted ribbontail ray Black Lives Matter art Germanicus Archive More featured pictures

Emory Hillandale Hospital will be the first U.S. hospital powered by Apple products.