Public art in the United Kingdom is coming under increasing scrutiny as artists and the public grapple with the question of who should be memorialized in statue form: significant historical figures or ordinary people?
"Tim Knox, director of the Sir John Soane's Museum in London, says major historical figures are being overlooked for 'sentimental' memorials to lesser-known people. He named the monument to the Unknown Construction Worker on London's Tower Hill as an example."
"And former deputy leader of the Labour Party, Lord Hattersley, believes that only great individuals who changed the nation in some way are worthy of prominent memorials."
"While people like Lapper demonstrate a personal courage, says Lord Hattersley, they haven't changed the nation and he would like to see more cultural figures honoured, like Milton, Constable, Turner or Wren."
"'We just don't respect that kind of figure. There are too many military and political figures. In Parliament Square, I'm happy that Mandela is there but [former foreign secretaries] Castlereagh and Canning were not, to me, great men.'"
"The heroics of ordinary people have long been recognised in war memorials, of which there are about 10,000 in the UK. But in recent years the 'unknown soldier' has become more inclusive to recognise the part played by women (Whitehall) and even animals in war (Park Lane)."
"Since the 1960s there has been a new renaissance of public art, says Ian Leith, of the Public Monuments and Sculptures Association, and the range of statues this has produced is something to celebrate."
"'There are all sorts of people, fraternities and ideas going up, quite apart from the completely abstract sculptures.'"
"'There's a diversity of sculptures that's far more democratic and representative to our time than the types of sculptures that were going up 20-30 years ago.'"
FULL STORY: Should statues honour ordinary people?

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie