To balance the interests of current residents and economic well-being, does a city's signature identity need an update?
Discussing an ongoing initiative of Friends of Architecture Santa Fe, Chuck Wolfe describes the organization's efforts to reimagine a "Santa Fe Style" that is more inclusive and reflective of current challenges than the original City Beautiful formulations, blending Pueblo Revival with more contemporary designs that reflect the multicultural heritage of its residents, as well as modern challenges such as climate change, enhanced walkability, more creative use of density, and housing affordability.
He considers the role of design and historic preservation reviews, as well as different approaches from his experience and research, and endorses the Friends approach as a positive example of a pluralistic and co-created approach.
He concludes:
In keeping with my experiences elsewhere and related research, I appreciate Friends’ advocacy of an essential and sincere dialogue about reshaping the narrative around the Santa Fe Style and avoiding physical determinism, where the built environment and framing decisions over-dictates social and other environmental outcomes.
Tweaking plan language and employing regulatory tools are not enough; a focused, contextual, and collaborative approach involving city planners, businesses, community leaders, and residents is crucial for crafting a vision that genuinely reflects the values and needs of all inhabitants.
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