Plans to quickly rebuild the historic Lansdowne Park in Ottawa instead of spending time on a design competition have spurred hot controversy in the city. Architecture critic Christopher Hume says the fast approach is bad for the project and the city.
Ottawa councillor Gord Hunter ruffled feathers when he suggested that the design competition would be a waste fo time for what is simply a "utilitarian" building.
"The fact is the utilitarian structures Hunter dismissed so casually comprise the very stuff of which cities are made. Yes, there is a hierarchy of use, location and meaning, but every building, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant, contributes to the city
There's no denying we live in an age of architectural degradation, but let's not blame it on 'utility.' Still, the Hunters of the world have had an effect. The pressure not 'to waste time and money on design' is enormous, and it goes well beyond competitions."
FULL STORY: Hume: Good design sets a city up for success
Ottawa’s New Transportation Master Plan Sets 20-Year Planning Priorities
Canada’s capital city recently completed the first step toward adopting a new Transportation Master Plan.
Study: Traffic Cameras Reduce Speeding, Crashes
Analysis of the automated enforcement program in Ottawa, Canada shows a significant drop in speeding near traffic cameras.
Zoning for the Missing Middle in Cartoon Form, With Wizards
The city of Ottawa, Canada has produced another goofy animated video. This one explains its efforts to encourage more Missing Middle multi-unit urban housing.
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).
DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.
Renters Now Outnumber Homeowners in Over 200 US Suburbs
High housing costs in city centers and the new-found flexibility offered by remote work are pushing more renters to suburban areas.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Supreme Court Ruling in Pipeline Case Guts Federal Environmental Law
The decision limits the scope of a federal law that mandates extensive environmental impact reviews of energy, infrastructure, and transportation projects.
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.
Municipality of Princeton
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Mt Shasta
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)