London's Olympics are just the most recent example of the growing trend in building temporary architecture and urbanism in response to financial and practical considerations. Christopher Hawthorne asks whether this trend is too short sighted.
With cities from Los Angeles to London embracing lighter, quicker, cheaper ways to implement improvements to their environments in a wobbly world economy, "individual
clients and institutions will continue to turn to expedient architecture
as the only way to get their buildings or parks financed," writes Hawthorne. In the rush to embrace expediency, however, are officials and designers ignoring the larger implication of such projects on planning, preservation, and urban design?
Hawthorne looks at several temporary projects in Los Angeles to poke at the question. Ultimately, he seems to believe that building something is better than nothing, and in a city like Los Angeles, which over time has been reluctant to significantly invest in its purely public spaces, "even
on-the-cheap solutions like Sunset Triangle Plaza represent a sea change."
In the end, Hawthorne is merely starting the conversation over the long-term value of expediency, rather than providing an answer to his probing questions.
FULL STORY: From London Olympics to Pasadena, temporary architecture takes hold
For Transit to Better Serve Women, More Data Needed
Understanding how women use transit does not just help make systems more equitable. It also guides policy and planning changes that benefit all riders.
On Public Transit, Some of the World’s Best Sightseeing
From Los Angeles to Hong Kong to Sydney, the best—and the cheapest—views are on ferries, buses, trains, and gondolas.
Why New York's Transportation Infrastructure Costs So Much
It's been remarked upon before. Infrastructure in New York City is a cost nightmare compared to other global cities. Accountability is lacking, Josh Barro writes, but MTA also suffers from an "institutional lack of power."
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.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Florida Seniors Face Rising Homelessness Risk
High housing costs are pushing more seniors, many of them on a fixed income, into homelessness.
Massachusetts Budget Helps Close MBTA Budget Gap
The budget signed by Gov. Maura Healey includes $470 million in MBTA funding for the next fiscal year.
Milwaukee Launches Vision Zero Plan
Seven years after the city signed its Complete Streets Policy, the city is doubling down on its efforts to eliminate traffic deaths.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
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