The Israelis are currently testing the new idea on Gaza. By the time they've finished there will only be rats left.

So that's what they're trying to do in Palestine - remodel the city to make it more attractive for rats. Sadly I think they're succeeding.

Indeed. Rat race, anyone?

I wonder, was link between rats and humans preferences established by monitoring groups of rodent like sub surface dwelling humans in different city sewers?

Efficiency is not related to 'soul', except perhaps in an inverse way.

Though this sort of thing might be useful for general planning, maybe between cities or large areas, I don't think it's suitable for neighbourhoods.

ttfn

Rats find grids easier to navigate quickly, therefore so do people? That's a bit of a leap. An obvious difference that renders the whole thing a complete and utter load of festering bollocks is that rats don't read maps, use satellite navigation systems, take taxis or ask for directions.

Who is to say that widening the range of travel is pleasant for humans. It could reduce the feeling of community and neighborhood.

You say that straight lines with many joinings are EASIER to remember and traverse than curved, irregularly joined ones?

ABOMINATION!

LIES!

BASIC OBVIOUSNESS!

Pfht.

News just in: Israeli professors drink cocktails while scooping from the pork barrel.

> "Our research takes the art used by humans to create their towns and cities and turns it back to the animal world for testing," says Prof David Eilam of Tel Aviv Uni.

I expect the Israelis to be turning their mind again to further settlements on occupied territory. May we expect the good Prof's findings to find favour with Israeli planners? I think not, as long as the Babylonian Talmud and Sanhedrin are taken as authorities of the Jewish faith.

Kudos to Lewis for exposing a pernicious world-view that belongs to pre-history.

What a lame Mickey Mouse idea.

What's next, bees on cocaine?

Who says that humans are as smart as rats?

Make the cities rat-unfriendly and keep their numbers down.

Who cares about the two-legs anyway. Our "leaders" dont.

Romans used to lay roads in mountain regions by following a donkey. The practice was followed by Bysantium and the Turkish empire after them.

Apparently these animals always follow the path which requires the least amount of effort.

So if all the streets are identical, and there's no way to tell where you are, you're more likely to panic and rush around trying desperately to locate yourself.

And this is supposed to be a good thing?

Here, have some concrete rats to go with the cows.

In New Orleans didn't travel as far? Shirly that means that they were happy where they were. The ones in Manhattan were probably looking for the exit.

Surely it is the regular block after square block that is soul-less and inflexible, not streets that wynd round obstacles.