I've always wanted, but never quite had the cred, to go to Burning Man. Instead, I went to this year's rendition of National Park(ing) Day in the hopes that it would provide a reasonable, if diminuative, substitute in temporary parks across the country. Creative minds can do a lot with 180 square feet, especially when there are straight-laced passers-by to shock and paradigms to subvert.
in the hopes that it would provide a reasonable, if diminuative, substitute in temporary
parks across the country. Creative minds can do a lot with 180 square
feet, especially when there are straight-laced passers-by to shock and
paradigms to subvert.
rather by an art collective, and there's something delicious about the marriage of art and asphalt. I imagine that many
of the over 400 events that took place last week (about double that of
last year) included all sorts of crazy stuff, in addition to more
mundane but well meaning patches of sod and picnic chairs. There were
probably DJs, acid trips, and naked fire eaters in San Francisco, where
Rebar founded the first event in 2005, and perhaps equal measures of whimsy took place at the two-dozen events in Los Angeles and New York (which is, as we know, the capital of the creative economy).
Tatlin's unbuilt Monument to the Third International in front of a Starbucks.)
despite its historic, pedestrian-friendly streetscape, the nation's tenth-largest
metro area had all of one Parking Day event. The venerable Trust for
Public Land helped coordinate the national Parking Day effort with a
list of cities and a handy map, and they were the official sponsor of
Boston's site, strategically located in front of what is generally
considered one of the most atrocious public spaces in all the United
States: Boston City Hall and its plaza, which is the most dehumanizing
expanse of pavement I've seen since Tienamen Square.
that their rendition in Boston was a bit too corporate. TPL saw fit to get permits and official police barriers
as would any regular group of demonstrators outside of City Hall, which
is all well and good. Their name is on the event, and they need to keep
the city happy (even while implicitly pointing out its shortcomings).But for most of the time I was there, the participants -- a pleasant bunch of students and urbanists -- outnumbered the onlookers. A scene, it was not.
reclaiming ugly spaces, or any public space, is that it doesn't have to be sanctioned, nor
should it priviledge only one kind of use. For the right number of
quarters, any citizen can lay claim to those 180 square feet -- for a
car, a park, or anything else -- without adhering to convention. To get Bostonians -- or most people, for that matter -- to
understand the potential to reclaim, redesign, and repurpose the urban
landscape into something a little more human is going to require
something a bit more revolutionary than sod, potted plants, and swapped
stories of compost and grad school.
Vladimir Tatlin had in mind, but it may yet require a revolution.
Innovative Park Agencies Receive National Recognition
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) recently announced the recipients of this year’s awards for innovation in health and wellness, equity, conservation, and park design.
Regenerating and Healing Land Through Parks
Through thoughtful planning and restoration efforts, parks can help heal degraded land, meeting multiple community needs, improving soil quality, restoring native vegetation, and creating habitats for wildlife.
Los Angeles County Parks Department Releases Five-Year Strategic Plan
The L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation recently completed a strategic plan which details goals, strategies, and actions that reflect the agency's commitment to advancing equity.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
