Architecture
Turning Old Gas Stations into Good Urbanism
Aurash Khawarzad looks at three projects that turned crude into gold, as old gas stations are quickly updated into a movie theater, a cafe and a restaurant.
Getting the Scale Right
Architect Galina Tachieva, author of the Sprawl RepIr Manual, talks about the errors of scale that have been committed for decades, and how to return to a human scale in architecture and planning.
Architecture, Urbanism and Human Evolution
Christopher Alexander has said that there is a "timeless way of building" common to all vernacular and traditional architecture and urbanism. This essay looks at how our preference for this way of building evolved among the earliest humans.
Hands-Off Approach Not Working When it Comes to Preserving the Wrigley Building
Chicago's Wrigley Building is a standout among the city's rich architectural heritage. City officials never formally gave it landmark status because they felt the Wrigley family would never mar their history, but the building has a new owner now.
Plan for Haiti Unveiled
Trans_City Architecture and Urbanism have unveiled a comprehensive plan for Jacmel, Haiti. Highlights of the plan, which took a year and a half to draw up, include prefab homes that work around the city's "topographical challenges."
How Urban Design Influences Behavior
"There has been a long-standing thread of recognition that the way people live their lives is directly linked to the designed environments in which they live," writes Dan Lockton, reflecting back on his research.
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
From the Walklet in SF to Transparent Churches in the Netherlands, Allison Arieff argues that "temporary space remains a sharp tool in the urban revitalization kit." Sheer creativity notwithstanding, what makes these spaces so successful?
Inflatable Architecture
Imagine a future of nomadic life, carting your inflatable nylon home on your back. WebUrbanist has a spread of puff-up architecture for just such an occasion.
The Art of Abandonment
Artists are using the vacant buildings of the Rust Belt to create their art, and to comment on possibilities and visions for the future.
Apple's New HQ Actually Works, Says Critic
John King makes it clear - the 4-story ring iCon (or doughnut, by some) would not work in urban San Francisco, but could be quite fitting for sprawling, suburban Silicon Valley.
Let There Be Lights in Oslo
Taking full advantage of residential density in Norway's capital, director André Chocron turns Cold Mailman's hit single "Time is the Essence" into a fantastic audiovisual experience.
"Parklets" Pop Up in Vancouver
Transplanting the wildly popular pilot projects in NYC and SF across the northern border, the City launches VIVA Vancouver program that converts parts of eight streets into public spaces.
Redesigning the National Mall
Got what it takes to revamp the Union Square, Washington Monument Grounds, and Constitution Gardens? The design competition is now open to anyone who has the vision of making this revered space in D.C. the "best park in the world."
Faking It: Imitations of Cities Around the Globe
For better or worse, cities mimic each other, making replicas of great landmarks down to unique light fixtures. The Infrastructurist selects top 5 cities that do the job well. Not surprisingly, Shanghai earns the title as the hallmark of knock-offs.
Open-Source Software for Cities
M.I.T. has developed a new open-source ArcGIS toolbox that they say will illustrate how a cities' spatial layout affects the way people will live in it.
The Unexpected Influence of Christopher Alexander
Known for A Pattern Language, his landmark book on architecture and urban design, Christopher Alexander's ideas have had an effect on everything from software and iPhone apps to business management and ecology.
Historic Preservation Jobs Are Local
With Missouri's Historic Preservation Tax Credit on the chopping block, Citiography outlines seven reasons the state should keep this program. Creating local jobs is just one.
Shipping Container Housing May Be Hazardous to Your Health
Recycling shipping containers into housing has been growing in popularity, but the materials they are coated with may be cause for alarm.
"Living Building" Vision Comes to Life
In a bold move to secure its place as the bastion of sustainability, Seattle sets out to build a series of the "greenest commercial building on earth."
Melbourne Ranked as Most Livable City
With high scores in five broad categories, Melbourne, Australia received the highest spot in livability rankings from The Economist's research unit.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
