Kelly Chan explores how temporary architecture is changing our relationship to the built environment, and asks "how permanent is our current fascination for the temporary?"
As the trend in temporary urbanism moves from the streets to the corridors of power, a new "triad of virtues: the light, the quick, and the cheap" (LQC) are hastening the replacement of the classical Vitruvian virtues of utility, durability, and beauty, observes Chan.
"Because of its low cost, modest appearance, and community-driven spirit,
LQC architecture is often seen as a reflection of our times: this
sudden infatuation for the temporary can be read as a pragmatic response
to economic downturn as well as a material expression of the slow
democratization of our cities. But if and when current circumstances
change, will cities abandon the temporary for more traditional
solutions?"
"That is a difficult question to answer, as our conceptions of
architecture are becoming increasingly unfixed. It seems that today's
architects, planners, and city dwellers are actively redefining the
binary that distinguishes the temporary and the permanent."
FULL STORY: Pop-Up Populism: How the Temporary Architecture Craze is Changing Our Relationship to the Built Environment

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.

Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations
Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.

Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean
Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?

Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US
A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
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