Making Space for Art in the 'Science of Cities'

An article by Adam Frank argues that a discussion of quality of life in cities, as an emerging of "science of cities" claims to improve, must include a discussion of public art.

1 minute read

July 30, 2014, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Adam Frank pushes back on the emerging ideas of the "science of cities" by identifying an urban manifestation that might escape scientific inquiry: "Cities clearly are more than a new kind of physics problem. They are also creations of the human imagination and, as such, they live or die by the quality of the imagination we bring to them."

"Thats [sic] why no discussion of the health of cities can be complete without thinking about the role of art — public art," adds Frank.

As an example of the power of inspiration available through the best public art, Frank examines WALL/THERAPY, "a week-long celebration of street art and its power to transform urban spaces" founded by Dr. Ian Wilson, a radiologist at the University of Rochester's Strong Medical Center.

Saturday, July 26, 2014 in NPR

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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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