In the age of food trucks, pop-up stores, and the Burning Man city, is it time to rethink the notion of "temporary" architecture?
The New York Times' design and architecture blogger, Allison Arieff, reflects on a panel discussion with Robert Kronenburg, an architect, professor at University of Liverpool and portable/temporary/mobile guru, and explores the popularity -- and perhaps permanence -- of temporary architecture.
Arieff writes: "The architecture that's been making news is fast and fleeting: pop-up shops, food carts, marketplaces, performance spaces. And while many manifestations of the genre have jumped the shark (i.e., a Toys R Us pop-up shop), there is undeniable opportunity in the temporary: it is an apt response to a civilization in flux. And like many prevailing trends - collaborative consumption (a.k.a., "sharing"), community gardens, barter and trade - 'temporary' is so retro that it's become radical."
Mike Lydon, founding principal of The Street Plans Collaborative, is featured prominently in the article, arguing for "injecting spontaneity into urban development." Lydon sees "these temporary interventions (what he calls 'tactical urbanism') as short-term actions to effect long-term change."
Examples mentioned in the article include San Francisco's Pavement to Parks, New York's "gutter cafes," Build a Better Block in Dallas, Brooklyn's De Kalb Market, San Francisco's PROXY project, and Forest City's 5M Project in downtown San Francisco.
FULL STORY: It’s Time to Rethink ‘Temporary’

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont