Category: Cities
-
Bioclimatic Design
Good article in the USGBC+ magazine related to Bioclimatic Design and some projects that focus on the integration of vernacular strategies (and forms) to increase responsiveness to the local environment in which they are built. This is nothing new for many designers, and builds upon centuries of knowledge, but I’m mostly interested in how it…
-
UGB – to grow or not?
A perpetual discussion in Portland revolves around the Urban Growth Boundary and the ability of the Metro region to remain compact while accommodating population growth. Proponents of density say we have plenty of room to infill without expanding, while others say expansion is the only method for having adequate land for economic development. Debate ensues.…
-
Guest Post: From Honolulu to Paris MONU #20
by Gabriele Baleisyte “Nature” or nature? Does natural geography still mater much to today’s city? What is the current relationship between our conception of nature and its role in urban life? Which nature is dominating now; the pure or the second one_- man made nature? During my current stay in Rotterdam, I have heard these questions widely discussed at the 6th International Architecture…
-
Hidden Hydrology Redux
Last week, I had the honor recently of presenting at a conference with one of my idols of landscape architecture, Anne Whiston Spirn. Aside from stimulating conversation, she presented the old and new of her work from The Granite Garden through her ongoing work on the Mill Creek Project in Philadelphia, i was reminded of…
-
Old + New – Photos
An interesting idea from some of the coverage of Memorial Day, which is a good time to remember the past. The Guardian and the Photography Then and Now, which includes interactive before and after images – essentially exact matching shots of the old and new through historical events. This weekend, they posted some interesting photos…
-
On Walking
I’ve been thinking about walking more. As a way to process the overload of information we deal with on a daily basis. Or as a way to live with more immersion in nature. Or to explore my new city. Or, maybe just because the weather is nicer and it’s not raining all the time. 1.…
-
Urban Ecology
I’ve been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Urban Ecology: Science of Cities by Richard T.T. Forman (Cambridge University Press, 2014). Since arrival a couple of days ago, i have not been disappointed, and this shapes up to be one of the most up to date resources for ecological principals applied to urban areas to date.…
-
City Simulation
An interesting article in the Guardian, Cities and their psychology: how neuroscience affects urban planning delves into the connection between space and behavior, and more specifically, ways of using technological advances to study and understand (and experiment) with urban spaces. Who better to invoke with this discussion than William H. Whyte, the nerd’s nerd of…
-
Manifestation Station
An interesting piece of street art from Mona Caron, ‘Manifestation Station’ overlays a vision of a visionary streetscape on a utility vault in the intersection of Church St. and Duboce Ave. in San Francisco. I particularly like the open water channel and pedestrian bridge at the curb. spotted on trending city via cjwho
-
Islands of Seattle
This map of Seattle by UW Planner Jeffrey Linn via a post on The Whole U, features a speculation on sea level change in the Seattle region. The result is dramatic when taken to the level of complete world ice-sheets melting resulting in a 240′ sea level rise. Particularly is you live in certain parts…