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Articles by Michael Dnes
PINO – planning in name only
Every decade or so, London pulls a magic growth trick. It’s not complicated. Step one – level a huge patch of land. Step two – let people build on it. Step three – create a world-leading economic cluster. We did it in the Docklands, where the LDDC cleared out the old port and replaced it with Canary Wharf. We did it again at Kings Cross, where the Channel Tunnel Rail Link cleared out the old Goods Yard and created what is now the biggest AI hub outside of the US.
It's time to tunnel with dynamite
On YIMBY Pod this week: James and Martin review Andy Burnham’s first policy and personnel moves – and ask whether Britain is really ready for a Northern Prime Minister. Then we speak to Michael Dnes about his big plan to solve one of Britain’s biggest transport bottlenecks… with dynamite. You can find out more about the proposed Trans-Pennine Connect tunnel here, and on Michael’s fantastic Substack here. The Centre for Cities report on fiscal devolution in England that Martin mentions is here.
Norse by Northwest
I need to be honest with you – for the past year of this substack, I’ve been hiding a little secret. Perhaps not such a little secret. As of Monday morning, it’s out. Very out. About a year ago I created a company called Future Works. We’ve been operating under the radar to try to solve a mystery, and revive an old project. Back in my DfT days, one of my teams was working on a project to connect Manchester and Sheffield.
Somehow, HS2 to Manchester returned
On YIMBY Pod this week: James argues the digital ID U-turn doesn’t deserve the hysterical coverage that Westminster lobby journalists have been giving it. Martin concludes the incredible story of a 17th century engineering project – and how it is weirdly similar to HS2 today. And we speak to transport guru Michael Dnes to break down the news that Northern Powerhouse Rail is back – and that there’s going to be a strangely familiar new railway line built between Birmingham and Manchester.
Local warming - Works in Progress
21st April 2022 17 Mins Gas heating is bad for the environment. But home-built heat pumps aren’t perfect either. Contents A friend of mine started working for a natural gas utility a few years ago. The first day on the job, his manager asked him to describe what service the gas company provided. My friend answered, ‘We sell gas.’ ‘No’, the manager shook his head.
Scientific slowdown is not inevitable
21st April 2022 32 Mins Some think of advances in science and technology through the metaphor of low-hanging fruit: we “picked” the easy ones, and the rest will be very difficult. Imagine a small orchard. You are picking fruit. At first you find fruit easy to pick. The lowest branches of the trees are full of it. Later, you find you have to jump, or climb the trees, or get a stepladder, and you find yourself picking fruit less quickly.
Why innovation prizes fail
21st April 2022 18 Mins History’s most famous innovation prize—the longitude rewards—is misunderstood. Innovation prizes are best at promoting refinements, not revolutions. Innovation prizes aren’t hard to come by. Last year Elon Musk announced $100 million to come up with ways to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The year before, Prince William and David Attenborough announced an annual £1 million Earthshot Prize for solutions to environmental problems.
Why we duel - Works in Progress
21st April 2022 18 Mins Duels can be brutal and even lethal. But duels emerged in societies around the world for an important reason: to control and manage violence, not just to celebrate it. Contents Violence is dramatic: fascinating, horrifying, alluring, upsetting. Individuals or groups come into conflict – interests opposed, incentives misaligned – and the use of physical force is one conceivable response.
How polyester bounced back
21st April 2022 19 Mins Polyester went from being the world’s most hated fabrics to one of its favorites. It’s so successful that many people don’t even realize they’re wearing polyester today. Fifty years ago, polyester seemed like a wonder fabric. It freed women from their ironing boards, and they poured into the workforce, feeling liberated in their double-knit pantsuits.
Why we duel - Works in Progress
18 Mins Duels can be brutal and even lethal. But duels emerged in societies around the world for an important reason: to control and manage violence, not just to celebrate it. Contents Violence is dramatic: fascinating, horrifying, alluring, upsetting. Individuals or groups come into conflict – interests opposed, incentives misaligned – and the use of physical force is one conceivable response.
Local warming - Works in Progress
17 Mins Gas heating is bad for the environment. But home-built heat pumps aren’t perfect either. Contents A friend of mine started working for a natural gas utility a few years ago. The first day on the job, his manager asked him to describe what service the gas company provided. My friend answered, ‘We sell gas.’ ‘No’, the manager shook his head. ‘We keep our customers warm and put food on the table for workers.’ That reply is critical to remember right now, because natural gas is in trouble.
Why innovation prizes fail
18 Mins History’s most famous innovation prize—the longitude rewards—is misunderstood. Innovation prizes are best at promoting refinements, not revolutions. Innovation prizes aren’t hard to come by. Last year Elon Musk announced $100 million to come up with ways to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The year before, Prince William and David Attenborough announced an annual £1 million Earthshot Prize for solutions to environmental problems.
How polyester bounced back
19 Mins Polyester went from being the world’s most hated fabrics to one of its favorites. It’s so successful that many people don’t even realize they’re wearing polyester today. Fifty years ago, polyester seemed like a wonder fabric. It freed women from their ironing boards, and they poured into the workforce, feeling liberated in their double-knit pantsuits.
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