Los Angeles County Planner Dr. Clement Lau reviews "The Art of Urban Sketching" (2012) by Gabriel Campanario. The volume has added to his planning skill set and allowed him to discover his inner artist.
L.A. County Planner Dr. Clement Lau was recently introduced to "urban sketching" by the book The Art of Urban Sketching (2012), authored by journalist and illustrator Gabriel Campanario. Campanario founded Urban Sketchers, an online community built around the practice of on-site drawing of urban landscapes and scenes. Dr. Lau was entertained and inspired by the book, explaining,
"The Art of Urban Sketching contains over 600 beautiful, contemporary illustrations. This is one of the most visually stunning books I have come across; even some volumes on urban design are not as attractive as it is. With sketches and observations from over 50 cities in more than 30 countries, the book offers unique perspectives on urban life from different cultures and artistic styles, as well as insights into various drawing mediums and techniques. In addition, the book includes profiles of the urban sketchers and extended captions where these artists share their stories, sketching tips, and the tools used for each illustration."
Dr. Lau goes on to describe the book in more detail, and how it has influenced him - both as in his professional capacity and as a recreation. He concludes by noting
". . . that the 4thInternational Urban Sketching Symposium is coming up July 11 to 13. To be held in Barcelona, the symposium is a three-day workshop at which artists from around the world meet to draw and learn together in the city. Field sketching sessions, lectures, panels, exhibits, and artists demonstrations will be included in the workshop. "
Read the full story: Book Review: The Art of Urban Sketching
Second Anniversary of the COVID-19 Pandemic
March 11 marked the second anniversary of WHO's declaration of the pandemic and the beginning of its third year. Cases continue to plummet in the U.S. and plateau globally while war in Europe has overshadowed the virus that has killed 6 million.
On Public Transit, Some of the World’s Best Sightseeing
From Los Angeles to Hong Kong to Sydney, the best—and the cheapest—views are on ferries, buses, trains, and gondolas.
Artists Find Alternate Uses for Billboards in Los Angeles
With a surplus of unsold billboard spaces dotting Los Angeles, artists are using the empty spaces as canvasses for new forms of public art.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Malls are becoming the midtowns of the future
Mall and office park redevelopments are a generational opportunity to create new nodes of urbanity.
NYC breaks ground on anti-flooding infrastructure project
New York City's new system will reduce stormwater flows to local sewers by 90%.
One Kentucky town’s secret to affordable housing
The Smoketown Community Land Trust has already built seven affordable homes for community members.
Houston gains petal-shaped cooling infrastructure to make streets more ‘delightful’
The city has installed the pavilions along 15 blocks in Houston.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority