Nicolai Ouroussoff, The New York Times' architecture critic, argues that philistine planning decisions such as the one that restricted the height of Jean Nouvel's proposed tower last month, "risk transforming a living city into an urban mausoleum."
The building would have been as tall as the Empire State Building, minus its antenna, "a fact that probably made planners tremble." Amanda Burden, the city planning commissioner, said the tower's top, did not live up to the aesthetic standards of a building that would compete with the Manhattan's most famous towers.
Ouroussoff counters that "the desire of each new generation of architects and builders to leave its mark on the city, to contribute its own forms, is essential to making New York what it is." The soaring height and slender way in which Nouvel's tower achieves it captured the spirit of midtown Manhattan and 'brought that spirit forcefully into the present."
FULL STORY: Off With Its Top! City Cuts Tower to Size
The Empire State Building's New Neighbor
A controversial new skyscraper seen as a challenge to the historical skyline dominance of the Empire State Building has been approved in New York City.
Potential Neighbor Threatens Empire State Building's Dominance
A proposed tower that would be just blocks from the Empire State Building in New York City has some historians and property owners on the defensive.
NYC: What Mamdani’s Rivals Can Teach Him About Transportation
The mayoral candidate won on a bold, progressive platform. Some of his opponents had even bolder ideas.
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.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.
Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.
Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont