Scott Doyon

Be a citizen, not just a consumer.

March 5, 2015 - PlaceShakers

Does the emulation of historic architecture in contemporary buildings constitute fakery? Scott Doyon says, "No!"

February 2, 2015 - PlaceShakers

What's new for placemaking advocacy in 2015? In short, being an effective communicator is in. Being self-concerned and oblivious is out.

January 6, 2015 - PlaceShakers

In the realm of supply chains and distribution logistics, Santa’s the guy. So you’d presumably be safe in assuming that the planning and design of his village at the North Pole would reflect a similar insistence on best practices. But is it so?

December 25, 2014 - PlaceShakers

As urban planners, we must not only innovate, but make our innovations count in the marketplace of ideas. We must make the benefits of livability easily understood, with a clear path for making them happen. Scott Doyon encourages rooted innovation.

November 21, 2014 - PlaceShakers

Suburban Starbucks models are bumming urbanists out. But they also served as a nice allegory of what the future there might hold. Scott Doyon's latest blog post explains.

October 6, 2014 - PlaceShakers

A timeless marker of community has emerged as a source of conflict: the lemonade stand is being called an "illegal business." Scott Doyon discusses how getting to know — and support! — your neighbor can be an issue of survival.

September 8, 2014 - PlaceShakers

Inherently unlovable buildings—no matter how energy efficient—lacks the stuff of longevity. How can your EcoDistrict design for lovable buildings? It may not include tearing down the historic stock.

August 11, 2014 - PlaceShakers

A small town in Kansas exposed itself to ridicule not so long ago with their crack-down on a Little Free Library. Their problem goes a good bit deeper than clunky enforcement.

July 14, 2014 - PlaceShakers

Is there nowhere in your town to teach a kid to drive? Congratulations. You may be on to something.

May 21, 2014 - PlaceShakers

In the celebratory spirit of Cinco de Mayo, Scott Doyon invites you to let your freak flag fly.

May 6, 2014 - PlaceShakers

Kaid Benfield has a new book out, which Scott Doyon found positively uplifting. In ways beyond what you might be thinking.

April 2, 2014 - PlaceShakers

As cities become increasingly desirable, gentrification becomes increasingly prevalent. The best places moving forward will be those willing to commit the best of themselves in working together.

February 25, 2014 - PlaceShakers

Connected communities aren't just about fun and frolic. When the goin' gets rough, they can make the difference between life and death.

February 2, 2014 - PlaceShakers

Scott Doyon reviews the book "13 Ways to Kill Your Community", by Alberta Legislative Assembly member Doug Griffiths and journalist Kelly Clemmer. In it, the authors reveal some of the "curiously recurring behaviors" that harm cities of all sizes.

December 4, 2013 - PlaceShakers

The term "sustainability" carries so much baggage that we're no longer able to talk about what we actually need to talk about. What can we do to depoliticize it?

August 8, 2013 - PlaceShakers

Thinking grass roots empowerment makes expertise unnecessary is not a return to traditional placemaking. It's just a new take on business as usual, argues Scott Doyon.

May 7, 2013 - PlaceShakers

Realizing that overly controlled environments rarely breed the kind of innovation and culture that make cities great, Scott Doyon gets down with the funky and unpredictable.

April 3, 2013 - PlaceShakers

Our brains simply tune out anything that might suggest that our behavior is in some way complicit in our problems. Scott Doyon zeros in on the obvious, but often overlooked, problems with our auto-oriented culture.

March 20, 2013 - PlaceShakers

Are you a Place-Maker or a Place-Shaker? Check out Scott Doyon's post for a look at where to draw the line. Spoiler alert: It's all about the politics.

February 26, 2013 - PlaceShakers