Preserving Native Culture Amidst a Commercial Building Boom

The city of Anchorage, Alaska has a number of new developments in the pipeline—some of which are located adjacent to residential neighborhoods. Can new development respect the values of native culture?

1 minute read

March 10, 2014, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


In a recent post, the Arctic Urbanophile blog discusses some of the ways that new developments could design and build with principles from traditional native culture in place.

Some of the recommended possibilities:

  • "Traditional Native culture places a strong emphasis on community and sharing, which parallels many new urbanist ideas." 
  • "Reverence for elders and traditional knowledge can be incorporated into housing projects that seek to integrate multiple generations."
  • "Subsistence and living off the land could inspire developments that include community gardens or berry patches."

Friday, March 7, 2014 in Arctic Urbanophile

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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