The newly proposed design would forego windows or shops at eye-level -- a basic tenant of urban building.
"Never in my most pessimistic imaginings could I have anticipated what we are now being shown: a tower rising above a solid concrete base with no windows,", writes Jeff B. Speck, Design Director at the NEA News. "...Reports claims this 20-story, above-ground base will be clad in a 'shimmering metal curtain that will give the impression of movement and light.' The operative word in that phrase is 'impression.' The first rule of planning for pedestrians is 'eyes on the street': windows and doors connecting inside and out. No one will happily walk past a blank wall, no matter how much it shimmers."
Thanks to Brenda Meyer
FULL STORY: The Freedom Tower: 'An Alienating Monument to Surrender'

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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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont