History / Preservation

As plans to build a major dam on the Amazon River edge closer to breaking ground, locals in nearby communities worry about the inevitable changes to come.

March 12, 2011 - Smithsonian Magazine

As a Berlin neighborhood gains favor among foreign tourists, locals are fighting to preserve their community's charm and identity.

March 12, 2011 - Der Spiegel

A new book of photography compares the legacies of two modernist cities: Brasilia and Chandigarh.

March 10, 2011 - Azure

Despite what seemed to be a drained post-industrial condition in the 1970s, Seattle has been growing. This post looks into why.

March 9, 2011 - The New York Times

Columbus, Ohio has been experimenting with zoning overlays, which do not change the underlying land use regulations but add a set of form-based regulations focused on livability.

March 9, 2011 - Columbus Dispatch

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg faces challenges in his attempt to redevelop the Willets Point area of the city. Some opponents of the plan are prepared to file a lawsuit against the city.

March 8, 2011 - The New York Times

Has historic preservation been responsible for making New York a luxury city? A former member of the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission argues no.

March 7, 2011 - The Huffington Post

Toronto's City Hall is a massive concrete structure. Oddly, so was all its furniture, which was included with the original design. 99% Invisible looks at this unconventional design choice, and the legacy of that furniture.

March 5, 2011 - 99% Invisible

Gold mining was an integral part of what made the city of Johannesburg, South Africa one of the most economically important cities on the continent. But as mining winds down, some are trying to find new ways to use the landscape of mining operations.

March 4, 2011 - Places

In a major blow to Preservationists, the city of Louisville has granted the demolition of a portion of the historic Whiskey Row.

March 1, 2011 - The Achitect's Newspaper

Angie Schmitt explains why the debate over removing Washington DC's famous height regulations depends on the city's transportation plans.

March 1, 2011 - Streets Blog Network

NYC's Deputy Mayor of Operations Stephen Goldsmith reflects on the value of listening to people, and talks about the new crowdsourcing projects the city is rolling out.

February 27, 2011 - Governing

A new exhibit looks at the legacy and modern-day relevance of Frank Lloyd Wright, and imagines how he would react to the suburbia of today

February 22, 2011 - Express Milwaukee

The mark of human civilization will last long after humans go extinct, according to this article looking at the anthropocene, or the age of humankind.

February 22, 2011 - National Geographic

In this essay from Places, architecture professor Wes Janz documents and ponders the economic decay of Flint, Michigan.

February 21, 2011 - Places

Scotia, California may be the nation's last remaining company town. The entire city could be headed to market this year.

February 21, 2011 - Newsweek

Ahead of the 2016 Olympics, the host city of Rio de Janeiro is embarking on a massive redevelopment plan in its decaying port area.

February 21, 2011 - Xinhua

As more and more people move to cities, they will be the focus of much policy and investment. But the suburbs should not be forgotten, argues Mary Newsom. They should be fixed.

February 18, 2011 - The Charlotte Observer

A successful, 1965 California farm and ranch land conservation tax mechanism is under threat by Gov. Brown of dissolution due to the $25 billion deficit. If dissolved, individual counties would have to determine to keep the tax program going.

February 16, 2011 - San Jose Mercury News

The Tyee presents a conversation between two Vancouver urban thinkers about the city's downtown and how some efforts to improve the city's core have worked while others have fallen short.

February 15, 2011 - The Tyee