Care and Maintenance Instructions for Urban Infrastructure

Morgan Clendaniel reports on a Minneapolis artistic intervention, Urban Plant Tags, that call attention to often overlooked amenities in the built environment.

1 minute read

May 6, 2012, 11:00 AM PDT

By jerinbrent


Urban Plant Tags, a project of Minneapolis-based Carmichael Collective, are designed to look like oversized versions of the tags that accompany potted plants. These tags, however, are placed next to amenities such as street lights and park benches. Care instructions serve as a reminder that the infrastructure that populates your neighborhood doesn't take care of itself.

"Change light bulb annually", and "Occasionally wipe clean" are among the descriptions of care required. Clendaniel believes the tags serve as a creative reminder, while also connecting people to their neighborhood in a new way. From his point of view, "the project does help foster a sense that things like fire hydrants or stop signs don't simply sprout from the ground at random, and that to create a sense of place and community, we should all be a little mindful of what makes up the place where we live."

Thanks to Jessica Brent

Friday, May 4, 2012 in Fast Co.Exisit

Young Professional

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 and Environmental 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 and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

September 23, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

An Airo train driving towards the camera on a track. There is a forest behind it.

Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet

Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.

September 22, 2026 - Washington State Standard

An aerial view of Interstate 77 crossing a body of water.

A 'dangerous' precedent: North Carolina successfully pressures communities into voting for toll roads

Two mayors resigned from the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization after it voted in favor of the toll roads.

30 minutes ago - Spectrum Local News

A professional in hazmat gear cleans mold off a white wall and ceiling.

Austin landlords only need to address mold when it covers 25 sqft. A resolution looks to change that

The city manager will propose updates to the city code regarding regulations around mold in May.

1 hour ago - KUT News

Two Black women and a white man look at a window equipped heat pump in the showroom apartment.

NYCHA’s green future? Officials open ‘showroom’ apartment with sustainable features

Heat pumps, inductions stoves and infrared heating panels: these are a few of the climate-friendly upgrades being installed at some public housing developments, with more to come, officials said Tuesday.

2 hours ago - City Limits

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design