Urbanism Without Effort

Chuck Wolfe says that urbanism that can readily occur in urban neighborhoods "without really trying" as people naturally come together in impromptu ways.

1 minute read

September 12, 2011, 11:00 AM PDT

By Charles R. Wolfe @crwolfelaw


Wolfe uses the example of a "movie night" in a Seattle residential alley as "an important reminder that a city neighborhood can experience community without really trying."

Wolfe believes that planners "...try awfully hard-sometimes too hard, in my opinion-to extol the virtues of the city by proselytizing and debating ideas and opportunities."

"The best urbanism is that which is already there to be nurtured, a practice that I highly recommend," Wolfe concludes.

Thanks to Chuck Wolfe

Monday, September 12, 2011 in myurbanist

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

White three-story brick single-room occupancy hotel in downtown Los Angeles, California.

‘Micro-Apartment’ Trend Underscores Housing Crisis

SROs are making a comeback under a new name as the housing supply remains strained and costs soar.

March 22, 2024 - Associated Press via Yahoo News

Aerial view of Milwaukee, Wisconsin skyline with freeway interchanges in foreground at night.

Milwaukee Residents Challenge Freeway Expansion

Residents are voicing opposition to a planned expansion of Interstate 94, arguing that the project would eliminate the limited green space in the neighborhood.

41 minutes ago - Spectrum News 1

Street Traffic in Manhattan

New York Congestion Pricing Approved by MTA Board

The program took another step forward as the board approved a proposed pricing scheme, but lawsuits still stand in the way of full implementation.

1 hour ago - Smart Cities Dive

White and yellow Metro Transit streetcar in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Video: Making Transit Better

How trackless trams and other innovations can make U.S. transit more efficient.

2 hours ago - CNBC Marathon

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.