aesthetics

Toronto Towers

Op-Ed: What Can Be Done About Toronto's Drabness?

After decades of "just-good-enough when it comes to design," now may be the time for Toronto to take steps to upgrade its aesthetics.

December 14, 2019 - The Toronto Star

High Line park NYC - Manhattan - New York City

Study: How Beauty Is a Boon for Cities

Richard Florida discusses a study finding a range of connections between a city or neighborhood's aesthetic appeal and its economic health.

May 22, 2019 - CityLab

Wind

Maryland Positions Itself as Nation's Leader in Offshore Wind Power

In a few years, Maryland is expected to be the nation's leader in offshore renewable wind power made possible by the Public Service Commission's approval on May 11 of credits to two projects by U.S. Wind and Skipjack Offshore Energy.

May 15, 2017 - Planetizen

Palm Springs

Billboards Covered With Photos of the Beautiful Vistas They're Blocking

Jennifer Bolande has created a series of billboards that perfectly line up with the mountain views they block on a highway in Palm Springs, California.

March 22, 2017 - Twisted Sifter

Amazon Drone

Are the Skies Like Wilderness, and Do Drones Belong?

Love 'em or hate 'em, drones are coming. But is the issue of aesthetics getting enough treatment in the drone wars?

October 19, 2016 - Pete Sullivan

Electricity Pylon

Why Are Utilities So Ugly?

A landscape architect in Tucson shares a professional lament: intrusive, ugly utilities.

October 6, 2016 - ASLA's The Field

Historic Preservation

Not All Preservationists Are NIMBYs

In the quest for density and infill, preservationists often stand beside those who want static cities. But both preservation and density can be ideologies, and thoughtful land use demands a nuanced middle ground.

April 22, 2015 - MinnPost

San Francisco's Electric Bus Pollution Problem

There are no emissions of pollutants or noise from these electric buses that receive power from overhead wires; but it's the wires that are viewed by some as visual pollution. Powered from the city's hydroelectric dam, they are truly carbon-free.

December 15, 2013 - San Francisco Chronicle

Love Sculpture NYC

The Three Elements That Attract People to Place

Addressing Minneapolis business leaders last week, Katherine Loflin, lead consultant to the Knight Foundation's Soul of the Community Project, explained the key factors that drive people's attachment to a city and how to lure young professionals.

May 13, 2013 - MinnPost

Steve Jobs' Legacy and the Return of Civic Beauty

Planners, architects, and developers made America ugly in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, opines Ross Douthat. In this piece, he questions whether or not the aesthetic revival led by Steve Jobs could be applied to our buildings and spaces.

October 9, 2011 - The New York Times

Why People Love Their Communities

Appreciation of diversity, social offerings, and aesthetics trump jobs, economy, and safety according to a new survey by Gallup/Knight.

November 16, 2010 - John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Preservationists Concerned About Visual Blight from Streetcars

Portland has them. So does Charlotte. But in the nation's capital, streetcar overhead wires are under fire from historic preservationists.

April 6, 2010 - Washington Post

Can Beauty Be Regulated?

Roger Scruton compares American and European ways of regulating aesthetics in buildings.

December 24, 2009 - The American Enterprise Institute

The Importance of Beauty

A study by Richard Florida and others concludes that the beauty of a place is a highly significant factor in community satisfaction.

December 10, 2009 - SpacingMontreal

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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

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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.