In this week's comments update, readers are discussing plans to build a linear city in Saudi Arabia and sharing their views on other top stories. More about "Only a train would think that's a cool city layout" says commenter
Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, has unveiled plans for a 100-mile belt of zero-energy walkable communities for a million people. More about Saudi Arabia announces plans for a 100-mile, car-free linear city called The Line
Hackney in east London is committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2040 but some residents are up in arms about initiatives to reduce car use. Dezeen spoke to Jon Burke, the councillor charged with delivering the controversial programme. More about Hackney Council to "completely transform" its energy, transport and public space to meet zero-carbon target
Five architecture students from the University of Oregon present their visions of a Centre for Democracy and Environmental Justice to repair "damaged urban context" in this VDF school show. More about University of Oregon students spotlight five sustainable urban design proposals
Italian practice Caret Studio has installed the StoDistante installation in an Italian square to encourage social distancing as a temporary solution for reactivating public spaces after Covid-19 lockdown ends. More about Caret Studio installs gridded social-distancing system inside Italian piazza
French designer Marlène Huissoud asks humans to "Please Stand By" with her first chairs, which are designed to be refuges for insects. More about Marlène Huissoud creates sculptural chairs as hotels for city-dwelling insects
A "raincoat" designed by architecture studio Partisans to protect pavements in harsh weather is among a series of prototypes that Alphabet company Sidewalk Labs has revealed for its smart city in Toronto. More about Sidewalk Labs unveils Building Raincoat prototype for smart city in Toronto
Construction has begun on Alárò City, which is being masterplanned by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, as an extension to Lagos in southwest Nigeria. More about SOM breaks ground on Alárò City in Nigeria
Mexico-based creative studio MaliArts has designed a series of three structures for solitary bees living in built-up areas to help welcome nature into urban environments. More about Refugio shelters aim to make solitary bees feel at home in cities
Germany's national rail operator has announced plans to play atonal music in a Berlin station, in an attempt to deter criminal activity. More about Berlin's Hermannstrasse station to trial anxiety-inducing music in bid to reduce crime
Leeds Beckett University graduate James Hughes has made a bench with metal spikes embedded in its seat to highlight issues surrounding hostile urban design. More about James Hughes creates Hostile Bench to show "ugly side" of urban design
A mossy "living wall" with the pollution-absorbing power equivalent to hundreds of trees has been installed in London's Piccadilly Circus in a bid to combat the city's unsafe air quality levels. More about Moss-covered CityTree bench designed to combat urban pollution
Renault has devised a concept for an autonomous, electric vehicle that would provide city dwellers with an alternative to public transport. More about Renault unveils driverless Uber-style transport system
The revival of great urban centres including New York, Los Angeles and London has caused unprecedented inequality and has led to the populism of Donald Trump, according to Richard Florida. More about Inequality caused by urban renewal is "the central crisis of capitalism" says Richard Florida
Danish firm Henning Larsen Architects has won a competition to design a group of buildings in Toronto, with a proposal that channels wind to create a comfortable microclimate in a central plaza. More about Henning Larsen's Etobicoke Civic Centre shelters public square from cold winds
Facebook has announced that architecture firm OMA will masterplan a new village for the area adjacent to its Frank Gehry-designed campus in Menlo Park, California. More about Facebook appoints OMA to masterplan new residential village next to its Gehry-designed campus
Local authorities have been "amazed to see that young women from slums could design as architects or urban planners", according to the co-ordinator of a United Nations initiative using the video game Minecraft to get communities designing their own public spaces. More about Minecraft video game used to design public space in more than 25 developing countries
To revitalise a residential district in Newark, New Jersey, local firm Ikon.5 Architects has created a neighbourhood facility featuring basketball courts and classrooms for professional development. More about Glass facade invites participation at New Jersey community centre by Ikon.5 Architects
A new type of modular tile promises to help reduce flooding in cities hit by increased rainfall due to climate change. More about The Climate Tile by Tredje Natur aims to stop cities flooding
Stackable football pitches could be erected on disused or temporarily empty plots across London, according to Amanda Levete and her London-based studio AL_A. More about Amanda Levete's firm proposes multi-storey football pitches for central London