Jon Jerde—one of the country's most recognizable and prolific architects and urban designers—passed away this week.
Kriston Capps pens an obituary for Jon Jerde, "the architect who designed the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas, and the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota." Jerde died Monday at age 75.
Capps writes the obituary to spread the word about Jerde's numerous contributions to the built environment in cities all over the world.
"More than any designer, Jerde took a quintessential American concern—consumerism—and gave it its built form. His theatrical shopping malls and urban centers are cathedrals of late capitalism. The Jerde Partnership, a global firm headquartered in Venice Beach, is represented by work on every continent but Antarctica; its architects work on up to 30 different design or planning projects at any given time."
Capps also links to many of the obituaries printed this week to honor Jerde and many, many colorful images showcasing the singular achievements of his designs.
FULL STORY: Remembering America's Mall Maestro, Jon Jerde

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

HSR Reaches Key Settlement in Northern California City
The state’s high-speed rail authority reached an agreement with Millbrae, a key city on the train’s proposed route to San Francisco.

Washington State Legislature Passes Parking Reform Bill
A bill that would limit parking requirements for new developments is headed to the governor’s desk.

Missouri Law Would Ban Protections for Housing Voucher Users
A state law seeks to overturn source-of-income discrimination bans passed by several Missouri cities.
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.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service