History / Preservation

Philip Kennicott reviews plans to modernize Washington D.C.'s aging Martin Luther King Memorial Library, the city's only building designed by famed architect Mies van der Rohe, and his only library ever constructed.

September 20, 2012 - The Washington Post

Scott Doyon takes on the oft-expressed gripe that Traditional Neighborhood Development somehow feels fake. Doyon sees value in incorporating the collective wisdom learned over generations, regardless of whether it's reminiscent of another time.

September 18, 2012 - PlaceShakers

Traditions must die hard in Detroit, where the region can't seem to shake its enduring geographic and racial divisions, reports Sarah Hulett.

September 17, 2012 - NPR

Providing a perspective not readily available from within the city's steep canyons of high-rises, an architectural tour of New York by boat, hosted by the New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects, offers a unique lesson on the city.

September 17, 2012 - The New York Times

When the next iteration of the oldest military parade in the world celebrates the French Republic by marching down the Champs-Elysees, as it invariably does every Bastille Day, it will pass through what is increasingly becoming an American mall.

September 16, 2012 - The New York Times

A contentious new ordinance gives Louisville's Metro Council final say in the city's landmarks decisions. Some are blaming a recent preservation victory for spurring what could be a major setback for historic preservation in Derby City.

September 11, 2012 - The Architect's Newspaper

The no man's land once occupied by the Berlin Wall has been the focus of redevelopment efforts for nearly two and a half decades now. But the slow pace of rebuilding means the scars of the Cold War remain visible across the city's landscape.

September 10, 2012 - The Wall Street Journal

Moving families from segregated, high poverty neighborhoods, into desegregated "areas of opportunity" has multiple effects. Housing mobility programs help revitalize communities and improve the physical and mental health of families involved.

September 6, 2012 - Shelterforce Magazine

The New York Times published four letters in response to an earlier op-ed from the self-described, “bitterly nostalgic” blogger, Jeremiah Moss, who blasted the popularity of the High Line, including one letter from the High Line founders.

September 5, 2012 - The New York Times - Letters

The tussle over the historic designation of a property owned by a Chicago church exposes the conflicting agendas of politics, property rights, preservation, and constitutional law.

September 2, 2012 - Gapers Block

Christian Sahner reports on the devastating destruction of historical sites that has befallen Syria since the beginning of the opposition uprising 18 months ago, and urges international communities to take action to protect them from further harm.

August 29, 2012 - The Wall Street Journal

As the end of the Bloomberg Era in New York draws to a close, The Architect's Newspaper goes agency by agency exploring how the Mayor has steered the forces of NYC real estate to meet goals for a cleaner, greener, and more equitable city.

August 26, 2012 - The Architect's Newspaper

Money Magazine lists the top 20 best 'small cities' (pop. 50,000 to 300,000). Located in all corners of the U.S., these cities offer small town charm with big city amenities.

August 23, 2012 - Money

As Vanessa Quirk reports, the house Frank Lloyd Wright designed for his son, David, is one of the renowned designer's "more unusual architectural specimens." Located in Arcadia, Arizona, the home is at imminent risk of demolition by developers.

August 22, 2012 - ArchDaily

Recent events in the southern India town of Hampi, recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, expose the struggle to balance the needs of historical tourist sites and those who make their livelihood from them, writes Rachel Proctor May.

August 19, 2012 - The Global Urbanist

The focus of a series of failed proposals, a 20-acre corner of Brooklyn Navy Yard known as the Naval Annex Historic Campus is set to be converted into a $400 million media, technology and film hub in a plan announced this week.

August 18, 2012 - The New York Times

As the world turned its attention Sunday from London to Rio, host of the next Summer Olympics, Theresa Williamson and Mauricio Hora penned an op-ed for The New York Times arguing how the city's preparations are threatening its history.

August 14, 2012 - The New York Times

Steven Yaccino reports on the ongoing controversy over the proposed demolition of Prentice Women's Hospital, designed by famed Chicago architect Bertrand Goldberg, as officials continue to skirt the issue.

August 10, 2012 - The New York Times

The beauty of a ride along Route 66 can be appreciated as much from behind a set of handlebars as from behind a steering wheel. Sarah Laskow reports on efforts to create U.S. Bike Route 66 as the first national bike route.

August 9, 2012 - Grist

Old urbanism holds countless lessons on satisfying livability. Montréal shares some of its insights in this photo blog by Hazel Borys.

August 8, 2012 - PlaceShakers