Here is an article I wrote for ASLA’s new blog “The Field”.
“…good architecture, my friends, is not form, it is the interaction between life and form.” - Jab Gehl
Another insightful interview with Jan Gehl from Dutch Design 2011! This guy is my hero! He just gets it!
Interesting short video from a TED talk given by Dave Meslin on the barriers to real engagement and participation in public society. His first point, on participation in planning is so true…the current standard for “engaging” is so complex and dry…an approach like the one he suggests would surely mean real transparency, and make information easily accessible to all. Such simple changes, easily and cheaply implemented could make a massive difference to the way we engage with the world around us - real democracy.
Dave Meslin’s talk about 7 barriers that keep us from taking part in our communities
I think it is obvious based on how we design roadways here in suburban Phoenix that pedestrians are an afterthought.
“…despite the fact that pedestrians account for 12 percent of all road fatalities, pedestrian safety only gets 1.5 percent of safety funding.”
A thousand square feet of xeriscape in the front yard of a subdivision tract home is to the desert like a goldfish pond is to the ocean: only a reminder.
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| — | Grady Gammage Jr. Phoenix in Perspective: Reflections on developing the desert. |
When we buy a new home and hit the design center our first thought is, “if I choose this carpet will I be able to sell this home in 5 years?” We as home buyers have focused for too long on ensuring the best possible chance of resell. As the trends demonstrate, we are staying in our homes longer. This gives us a great opportunity to create a more individual environment. Pick the shag carpet or the red lacquer kitchen appliances if that is your style.
I have always loved Kansas City and this list of walkable neighborhoods sheds some light on why. Kansas City has 4 of the top 138 walkable neighborhoods in the country, Old Westport ranks number 10. This puts KC in the company of NYC, Seattle, Portland and San Fran. Note that there is not one neighborhood from my home of Arizona on this list.
