In an opinion piece, architecture critic Mark Lamster discusses the merits and deficiencies of recent Dallas developments. He praises a rising sense of "progressivism" in the city's design choices.
In a wide-ranging piece, Mark Lamster describes a transitional mood in Dallas. Highlighted by large-scale projects like the Trinity River park project, slated to be an order of magnitude larger than Central Park, a more "progressive" set of urban design choices includes new mid-rise and high-rise construction.
Lamster sees much of the new development, housing in particular, as architecturally lacking. Think "banal, pro-forma junk, five-story beige blocks." But en masse, mid-rise neighborhoods can redeem themselves. "From an urban design standpoint, one bad building alone is actually worse than two together. A single building sticks out like a sore thumb, and does nothing for the street. But several together can at least define a place, creating a streetscape that subsumes individual deficiencies."
Lamster points to several examples of new buildings done wrong, and right. Of the city's Arts District, he writes, "For more than a year, a revised master plan for the area has sat on a shelf as its architects wait for the city to take it up. Only in Dallas do you build the buildings and then release the master plan."
Read the full story: What's wrong and right with Dallas architecture
A New Vision for Dallas’ Dealey Plaza
After decades of neglect, a team of designers reimagines the infamous plaza as a safe, vibrant, multimodal public space.
Checking in With the Trinity River Park Project in Dallas
With a plan to build a Trinity Toll Road a thing of the past, there are now two plans for parks along the Trinity River. One would "rewild" the watershed.
Critic Blasts the Design and Planning Effects of CVS
CVS is about as American as apple pie, but at what cost to American communities?
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion
Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.
NYC DOT wants faster, more permanent street upgrades
The city is examining ways to build more concrete infrastructure without getting entangled in 'decades-long' projects.
'Something we’ve never seen before:' rising utility rates could strain city finances nationwide
Data centers, climate change and other factors have caused utility rates in the United States to increase by 38% since 2020.
Trump to overrule local leaders, lease millions of acres of America’s Pacific Island territories’ seafloors to mining companies
International law says that the Indigenous people of America’s territories have a right to prior and informed consent regarding projects that impact their countries.
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.
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello