Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo, Columbus, Indiana? Susan Stamberg investigates what makes one small Midwestern town a global center for architectural innovation.
Summer is the time for the all-American road trip. And for architectural enthusiasts, there may be no better destination than Columbus, Indiana (pop. 44,000), a town where more than 60 public buildings "have been built by a veritable who's who of modern masters - I.M. Pei,
Eero and Eliel Saarinen, Cesar Pelli, Richard Meier, Harry Weese, Robert
Venturi and James Polshek, to name a few."
In a piece for NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday, Stamberg describes the town's museum quality collection of Modernist architecture, and the primary reason that it came to be - "the Columbus-based Cummins Engine
Co., or, more specifically, J. Irwin Miller, the company's longtime
head."
"Whatever you do in this world, you've got a responsibility and a
privilege of doing it the very best way you can," Miller says in a
company film clip. "And whether it is architecture or cooking or drama
or music, the best is none too good for any of us."
Along with his altruistic aim, Miller had a more practical reason for investing in quality architecture (one that resonates with our growing knowledge-based economy) - the need to attract highly skilled workers.
Thanks to Daniel Lippman
FULL STORY: Columbus, Ind.: A Midwestern Mecca Of Architecture
DC, Columbus Bike Share Fleets Introduce Cargo Bikes
Shared mobility is ‘growing up,’ with rental options increasingly expanding to include e-bikes, scooters, and cargo bikes.
Low-Income Columbus Households Struggle to Find Housing
The Ohio city has a more severe affordable housing crisis than more traditionally expensive cities like New York and San Francisco.
Columbus, Ohio's High-Frequency Transit Future Up for Vote in November
Despite being the nation’s 14th largest city, Columbus, Ohio has no high-capacity transit. That could change this November as city officials put a levy before voters that would provide $6.2 billion by 2050 to fund an ambitious bus rapid transit system.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
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)