Contemporary architecture needs to reacquaint itself with the creation of beautiful and people-friendly spaces, argues columnist E. Thomas McClanahan.
"What makes some public spaces lively and some devoid of life? Many architects have only minimal interest in such questions, and judging by the projects they turn out, it's as if they believe contemporary architecture is above such concerns.
In Kansas City, for example, the streets adjoining the recently completed addition to our convention complex are utterly dead."
"The Los Angeles Times' architecture critic, Christopher Hawthorne, recently published a meditation on issues raised by ugly buildings, prompted by a local contest to name the city's ugliest structure.
He hinted that perhaps, as in the world of painting, it may be time to back away from the notion of "ugly-chic" and "start talking again about beauty."
Beauty in architecture? What a concept. We now pause as many of the architects in the room run screaming for the exits."
Read the full story: McClanahan: Bring beauty, people back to architecture
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Move over, LA: St. Louis gears up for Olympics, invests millions in downtown redevelopment
The Missouri city will host the 2028 Olympic soccer group stage and knockout matches.
Maryland’s $15 billion bridge project gains key approval
The Maryland Transit Authority said the project will create over 60,000 jobs and add $23 billion to the local economy.
‘No clear next steps’ for Chicago's permanent festival grounds
Eleventh Ward Ald. Nicole Lee has suggested Soldier Field as a possible location for the permanent event space.
California, Hawaii, Rhode Island approve housing propositions
Hawaii and Rhode Island each approved their sole proposition, while California approved two of its three.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority