On Places, Reinhold Martin explores the theme of this year's Venice Architecture Biennale.
For the 2014 Venice Architecture Biennale, curator Rem Koolhaas has chosen as his theme "fundamentals," meaning the "inevitable elements of all architecture ... the door, the floor, the ceiling, etc." To this list Martin proposes another fundamental: real estate, the land itself, without which "all the rest is inconceivable." He then asks difficult questions about architects' complicity in the uses to which land is put by the "transnational, translocal, global and otherwise border-violating and border-producing system of real estate."
Read the full story: Fundamental #13
Miami's High-Rise Orthodoxy Hides a Better Way
Alastair Gordon lambasts Miami's high-end architectural extremes. A horizontal, nature-inspired urbanism might better address contradictions between breezy luxury and inland poverty.
Starchitects Jump on Miami Building Boom
Zaha Hadid, Rem Koolhaas, Herzog and de Meuron, and Bjarke Ingels are some of the big names designing projects for Miami's hot again real estate market. Can their bold designs ensure that this building boom has legs?
Even 'Starchitects' Need a Good Pitch to Win
'Starchitects' compete for prime real estate in New York City, and selling their stuff isn’t as easy as one might think. See four famous architects in action as they pitch designs for a new office tower on Park Avenue.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan
Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.
Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment
Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.
U.S.-Iran war may have ‘devastating’ impact on cost to warm homes
Vermont and Maine residents may see a 76% increase in the cost of warming their homes this winter.
Senate bill would ‘overhaul’ environmental permitting laws
Under the proposed act, government agencies would also not be able to suspend or rescind permits after granting them.
Exemption applications for NYC’s pied-à-terre tax see 55% success rate
The city sent nearly 40% of its initial pied-à-terre tax warnings erroneously.
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.
One Hundred Miles
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The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority