Over various blog posts through the last few years, I've shared some of the key steps and stages leading to the eventual unanimous Council approval of Vancouver's EcoDensity Initiative. Since then the EcoDensity Charter and new policies have been changing the way we think about density, green building and site design, and our ecological footprint in and outside of city hall. We've also been moving forward on various EcoDensity actions approved in principle by Council back in 2008.
History / Preservation
Historic Preservation for Tract Homes?
A resident of a Rancho Palos Verdes, CA development of 262 tract homes designed by Paul R. Williams, the first African-American architect in the AIA, is seeking an historic preservation measure to protect the 1950s-era homes.
Daily Breeze
Prince Charles Quits Preservation Group
In the continuing battle between architects and Prince Charles, the Prince has resigned from the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings after it rejected the foreword he had written for an upcoming handbook on restoration.
The Independent (UK)
New Orleans Debates Highway To Boulevard Project
According to a new draft master plan, the Clairborne Expressway may be the next freeway to join the nation's growing highway to boulevard movement.
The Times-Picayune
Emphasizing the Urban Angle of National Parks
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has said he wants to bring park programs back into the lives of urban dwellers. This piece argues that a good place for him to start is one of the few urban national parks at St. Louis' Gateway Arch.
STL Today
Balancing Preservation and New Construction in Downtown Charleston
As the city of Charleston, SC works to develop a plan to guide future development along the eastern end of Calhoun Street from Marion Square to the SC Aquarium, preservationists express concerns about possible new guidelines.
The Post & Courier
Putting Stimulus Dollars to Work
Economic improvement projects funded by the stimulus are moving full steam ahead -- in France.
The New York Times
Does Destroying a Building Erase History?
The Nakagin Capsule Tower, designed in Tokyo in 1972 as part of the Japanese Metabolism movement in architecture, is facing destruction. Residents of the building have voted to demolish it and replace it with a modern structure.
The New York Times
Bid to Build Museum in San Francisco's Historic Presidio Dropped
A controversial effort to develop a modern art museum in San Francisco's Presidio has come to an end.
San Francisco Chronicle
St. Louis Opens New Art Park
Two vacant lots in downtown St. Louis have been revived as an urban art park, featuring works by world-renowned artists.
ArchNewsNow
Investing In and Revising Mexico City's Center Square
Mexico City's Centro Historico is undergoing a broad redevelopment, which has resulted in more investment, more events, and more use. However, some there are worried that increased commercialization will tarnish the public square.
Next American City
A Tour of America's Nuclear History
The Hanford Nuclear Reservation is called the nation's most contaminated place, with pits containing nuclear waste like plutonium. It's also a historic site in terms of America's dabblings with nuclear weaponry, and now it's open for tours.
Miller-McCune
Land Use Clash Involves "Every Piece of Law You Can Think Of"
An amusement ride business in the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is the center of controversy involving public space, environmental protection, and noise pollution.
LAW Times
Granny Flats and Carriage Houses for Denver
Grass Root Efforts to Help Bring Back a Much-Loved Building Form
Denver Daily News
Back-To-Nature Plans Stall Innovation
According to this op-ed, allowing cities to de-densify undermines the importance of the city's role in society at large--namely, as a breeding ground for technological and cultural innovation.
Los Angeles Times
Ten Train Stations, Lost Forever
The loss of NY's Penn Station spurred an entire movement in historic preservation. But it was not an isolated incident- The Infrastructurist looks at 10 beautiful train stations that fell to the wrecking ball.
The Infrastructurist
Is River Setback "An Illegal Taking"?
Philadelphia's City Council has approved two new measures that would preserve historic buildings along the Delaware River and require 100 ft. green setbacks. Some developers are protesting the ruling, saying it amounts to an illegal taking.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Going to the Races
Locals are concerned that a real estate development approved to replace Hollywood Park, one of California's few remaining thoroughbred racetracks, will be underused in this housing crisis.
The Architect's Newspaper
Planetizen picks
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TECH-320: Advanced SketchUp Webinar
Advanced SketchUp Webinar
Wednesday, December 2, 11am PST/2pm EST
$49.95 (includes 30-day access to video recording)
Learn More:
TECH-320: Advanced SketchUp - Modeling Buildings
- Subway Sociology
- Free Electricity for the Poor
- Fort Collins is Feelin' Fine
- The $28 Trillion Question
- Visualizing Unemployment During the Recession
- Windsor + Detroit = BFF?
- Canada Increasing Investment in Carbon Capture
- DC Metro's Death Toll Rises
- Function Over Geometry
- 'Getting Religion' in Water Conservation
"Hoboken Daylighting" In Lieu Of Bump-Outs -- Ian Sacs
Learning from TTI -- Michael Lewyn
Automobility and Freedom: Conflicts and Resolutions -- Todd Litman
Somewhere Between Blight and Gentrification... -- Diana DeRubertis
The Future of American High Speed Rail: Regional and Slow -- Robert Goodspeed
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