Writer Kaid Benfield used a recent trip the American Society of Landscape Architects annual meeting in Boston to reflect on what that city can teach us about designing urban parks.
With the ASLA’s Landscape Architect’s Guide to Boston in hand, Benfield traversed some of the 1,100 acres of green space known as the “Emerald Necklace.” A linear park that extends from the Boston Common through five additional parks and the Arnold Arboretum, much of the Emerald Necklace was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.
Benfield believes in cities, but he also believes that cities need parks—of which the Emerald Necklace is an exemplar. He explains: “I sometimes write about what I call the paradox of smart growth—urban density reduces environmental impacts across a region, but can increase them locally, at the neighborhood scale. Parks and other forms of nature provide an antidote.”
FULL STORY: Boston's Emerald Necklace sets the standard for linked city parks
Exhibition Shows the Swagger and the Social Conscience of a Previous Era of Planning
It's rare for an entire exhibition to be devoted to the practice and history of planning. This is a big one.
Boston Olympic Plan Includes 8,000 Units of Housing
As it vies to host the 2024 Summer Games, Boston's plan envisions two new permanent neighborhoods built with a mix of public and private investment. The final decision will take place in September.
A Sad Goodbye to Peter Lindsay Schaudt
The death of the Chicago landscape architect, Peter Schaudt, leaves an unfinished body of work and a deep void within the profession that adored him.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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.
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.
Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.
Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.
Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
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