Archive for January, 2008
« Previous EntriesDowntown living as the new frontier
Thursday, January 31st, 2008Following up on my last post, here’s a new perspective on downtown living — it’s the “new frontier.”
In the late 20th century, many downtowns became somewhat lawless states of nature. Homelessness, crime, gangs and / or other urban ills often prevailed. But rents were cheap.
The first group in — the artsy, alternative, bohemian and sometimes […]
Suburbia and the American identity
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008One of the United States’ national identity mythologies is that of a people who forged a country and a culture on the frontier between civilization and nature.
Indeed, in many tales Americans are characterized to embody the best features from a lawless frontier — self reliant, innovative, brave, industrious — along with the desired traits of […]
Crashed Ice: Every city needs a unique event
Friday, January 25th, 2008Quebec City, founded in 1608, is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever visited. The historic buildings and the spectacular setting make it unique and special. But in the 21st century, a place seems to need more than this to be a source of household conversation. That’s why so many cities compete for major […]
Clotheslines
Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008As increasing numbers of people seek small ways to reduce their impact on the environment, it’s interesting that one simple option is against the law in many cities — hanging clothes to dry on an outside clothesline instead of using the dryer.
Should things change? Environmentalists and energy conservationists argue yes. Others say no — that […]
Bike commuting, politics, and business fashion
Sunday, January 20th, 2008Writing in the Planetizen Interchange , Gordon Price wrote:
This summer, a social policy analyst with the Netherlands government came to Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, B.C. to see what the Dutch might learn from us. (Yes, from us!) And what he discovered was the irony of our political culture: “Cycling in North America is […]
Hope against the spread of generica
Thursday, January 17th, 2008Visiting a new city becomes far more meaningful when you can find unique places where local people live and interact — when you can find an actual community. Usually this requires finding locally owned and operated restaurants, cafes, shops, etc. that often anchor neighborhoods.
In so many cities, whether in North America or around the […]
Technology for improving city governance
Monday, January 14th, 2008For some, city hall, city council, and the planning department moves to fast. Initiatives for new zoning bylaws or transportation plans might go through the governance process in a matter of months, with many residents feeling they did not have enough time to digest the plan and comment on it. For others, of course, city […]
High speed rail for Tucson-Phoenix?
Friday, January 11th, 2008Would high speed rail between Tucson and Phoenix help reduce carbon monoxide emissions and other pollutants? Or would it generate more in the long run by integrating two automobile-centered cities that are arguably separate entities at the moment?
Planetizen ran an except from and Arizona Republic feature that argues for a 95-mile high speed rail […]
What’s your Walk Score?
Thursday, January 10th, 2008There seems to be a lot of urban blog buzz about Walk Score. This is a website that calculates the walkability of your home or neighborhood based on your address. The application is kinda cool, although is not completely accurate as it relies on the completeness of Google map information and some businesses and […]
Starbucks - revitalizing force or more “generica”
Tuesday, January 8th, 2008No one can argue that Starbucks didn’t lend cache to newly revitalizing city neighborhoods. As young adults returned to live in central cities in record numbers, an expanding Starbucks was there to welcome them to warm, comfortable places….Starbucks stores have become familiar and important third places in cities, and it’s hard to imagine cities without […]
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