James Howard Kunstler has a new book, which goes deeper into an idea he's often explored: that the U.S. has a misguided sense that new technologies will save the American lifestyle.
Josh O'Conner talks to Kunstler about the new book. Kunstler says that the trend towards living in cities and away from suburbs will continue, because the suburbs will collapse, but he thinks cities will be radically different in shape in the future:
"Our giant, "metroplex" cities are not scaled to the resource realities of the future either. They're too big. They will have to contract substantially around their old cores and waterfronts (if they are fortunate enough go have them). The process will be painful and disorderly and will involve a massive loss of notional wealth."
Kunstler, who has always been a proponent of New Urbanism and a frequent CNU presenter, takes a new pessimistic tone towards the practice:
"The projects the New Urbanists actually built were secondary to that rescue of culture, though some are great achievement on their own. Anyway, the New urbanism must be viewed as a transitional movement between the old template and the new requirement to return to traditional modes of inhabiting the landscape."
FULL STORY: Interview with James Howard Kunstler – Author and Urbanist Critic
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)