Category: dialogue
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What is the Nature of Your City?
Across the world, cities are bringing back nature to help address urban challenges. We are healthier when we are closer to nature. We have a greater respect for the environment that sustains us. We are more adaptable to change when we let nature do its work. Join us for a free presentation by Dr. Timothy…
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THINK.urban: Introducing Megapolitanism
A recent article from John King at the San Francisco Chronicle mentioned the concept of using the Megalopolitan scale for planning purposes. The article references the new book by Arthur C. Nelson and Robert E. Lang entitled ‘Megapolitan America: A New Vision for Understanding America’s Metropolitan Geography‘ (APA, 2011). As an example, King mentions the…
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Introducing THINK.urban
I am happy to announce the formation of a new organization, THINK.urban in Portland, Oregon. Along with colleagues Katrina Johnston and Allison Duncan, our group plans to promote, as our tagline mentions: “Better Design Through Applied Research.” We bring a range of experience in urban design research, landscape architecture, urban ecology, public space, and…
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Unlocking LU 2: The Re-Representation of Urbanism
Continuing the thread of review for the new landscape urbanism website, I’m discussing ‘The Re-Representation of Urbanism’ by Gerdo Aquino, SWA Principal as well as educator and author of the book ‘Landscape Infrastructure’ (see L+U review here). As a fundamental opening to his essay, Aquino mentions the major shift that has taken place towards urbanization…
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Unlocking LU 1: Indeterminacy & Multiplicity
So as promised, I was planning on posting on some of the great content related to the initial issue on the Landscape Urbanism website. The introduction by Sarah Kathleen Peck and Eliza Shaw Valk brings up some of the questions around the concept – with a focus on ‘indeterminacy’ and ‘multiplicity‘ as well as looking…
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Europe Journal: Home Base
An interesting aspect of the European journey was the ability not to stay in hostels or hotels, but to live in some of the places that people actually inhabit in these cities. This was done courtesy of crashing on my sisters couch in London, and utilizing the fabulous air.bnb for finding amazing flats to stay…
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Europe Journal: Diana Memorial Fountain
Located at one of the far ends of Hyde Park in London is the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, an elegantly curved ring of water opened in 2004 (design by Kathryn Gustafson from her London office of Gustafson Porter). Although somewhat controversial, I found the feature quite engaging, even experiencing it late in the…
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Europe Journal: Signs of the Times
A photographic exploration of a few of the more interesting tidbits of signage from the recent travels to Europe. Enjoy. Sad day when you need prohibit street musicians (London) Excellent advice for those from the states (London) Creative sign manipulation (London) The Catalan spirit continues (Barcelona) Closeup of doors of the Sagrada Familia (Barcelona) Taking…
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Unlocking Landscape Urbanism
Right before I took off on my travels, the brand new Landscape Urbanism website launched with its first issue. Due to the rigors of travel (you know, scenic vistas, wine, great food, etc.) I was not able to dig into the content before I left – but finally did manage to get all of it…
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L+U Travels – The Prelude
England, Spain, Italy. While a couple of weeks is not long enough to spend in any one of these countries (or cities for that matter), the agenda is set. Thus I’m considering an upcoming trip to Europe and actual vacation (what the hell is that?) and a scouting trip for further visits. The itinerary starts…