Hardcore New Urbanist Can't Stop Mixing Uses

Bradley Archer, a long-time champion of New Urbanist principles, spends nearly every waking hour finding a way to get two, maybe three, uses out of everything.

1 minute read

April 1, 2009, 10:00 AM PDT

By Planetizen


At his desk, Archer moves about like a hummingbird, shuffling papers and sipping tea from his mug. He immediately cocks his head; an idea is born. He scoops up all of his stray pens and pencils with one hand, and with the other, guzzles the remainder of his drink. He then plunks all four writing utensils squarely into the mug, and quickly admires his work. Then he sets the mug on a stack of loose papers, which are in danger of being blown away by a gust from an open window behind his. Now satisfied, he prepares to go home.

At home, there is no break in his fascination with one thing having multiple uses, often at the same time, though sometimes not. "I stopped trying to reason with him ages ago," said Lisa, his wife. "He just can't stop mixing those uses!" With a lighthearted shrug, she shakes her head.

Meanwhile, Archer is unwinding in the living room. After a few silent moments, he empties a nearby trash can of its contents, and places it upside down. After he uses it as a footstool to reach for something on a tall shelf, he begins playing it like a bongo for several moments. Then he sits on it.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009 in Planetizen April 1st Edition

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

May 21, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Two Rivian trucks charging at Rivian branded charging ports.

US Senate Reverses California EV Mandate

The state planned to phase out the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035, a goal some carmakers deemed impossible to meet.

May 22 - CALmatters

Metal U.S. Geodetic Survey marker in stone in Arizona.

Trump Cuts Decimate Mapping Agency

The National Geodetic Survey maintains and updates critical spatial reference systems used extensively in both the public and private sectors.

May 22 - Wired

Close-up of 10 mph speed limit sign.

Washington Passes First US ‘Shared Streets’ Law

Cities will be allowed to lower speed limits to 10 miles per hour and prioritize pedestrians on certain streets.

May 22 - The Urbanist