May 2012
50 posts
New Urbanism and Conservation Biology needs...
New urbanism serves as a great model for building neighborhoods, communities and towns that embody diversity, walkability, complexity, and diversity. When done right, as Andres Duany reminds us, they are calibrated to their place, which is often missing in many cookie-cutter new urbanism communities. While prescriptive, they allow for flexibility and a way to opt out of the process.
The irony...
Building a Culture of Bike Safety at CNU
In my career I’ve spent so much time thinking about cars, that I’ve overlooked the bicycle…until now.
After joining Tindale-Oliver & Associates as an urban designer this year I’ve become involved in the Multimodal Transportation Planning Team that designs bicycle and pedestrian master plans. It has been enlightening to understand the technical and data analysis that is required to make sure...
Reflections on "Clearer Thinking: Urbanism +...
Jarrett Walker, author of Human Transit: How Clearer Thinking About Public Transit Can Enrich Our Communities and Our Lives, told us he was at CNU20 to preach a little fire and brimstone: transportation planner to new urbanist. While I wouldn’t call it brimstone, he definitely spoke passionately about real issues that need to be considered in enriching people’s lives. While I certainly subscribe...
Reflections on "Clearer Thinking: Urbanism +...
Jarrett Walker, author of Human Transit: How Clearer Thinking About Public Transit Can Enrich Our Communities and Our Lives, told us he was at CNU20 to preach a little fire and brimstone: transportation planner to new urbanist. While I wouldn’t call it brimstone, he definitely spoke passionately about real issues that need to be considered in enriching people’s lives. While I...
Form-Based Economic Development on Main Street
Form-Based Economic Development on Main Street
A common misconception is form-based codes are used primarily to improve the look and aesthetic feel of places. The Friday session at CNU 20 entitled “Form-Based Economic Development on Main Street” was eye-opening as to just how compelling the argument is that form-based codes are also a tool to create economic value.
Scott Polikov, president of...
The Value of Urban Grocers
A number of grocery store concepts are taking advantage of opportunities in urban infill locations, turning the conventional idea of a full-service grocery store fronted by a sea of parking on its head. At Friday’s CNU 20 session “Designing and Developing Walkable Urban Grocery Stores,” we learned that across the United States, grocery stores, many covering a fairly substantial footprint, are...
Saturday Night Closing Plenary
The Saturday night closing plenary just wrapped up, marking an end to the 20th Congress for the New Urbanism. Victor Dover started out the ceremony that gave a well-deserved thanks to all those who made this Congress possible, especially the hard-working CNU staff. Highlighting the success of various components of CNU 20 such as Art for the Urbanism, the Open Innovation Tract, and the many...
Reflections on "Why Did We Stop Walking & How Do...
As you may know, the CNU20 conference was organized around tracks which allowed you to focus on your particular interest and how it related to New Urbanism. I spent most of my time on the “Mobility and Walkable City” since that is where my concentration lies. There is no doubt that the best breakout session of this track was “Why Did We Stop Walking & How Do We Start Again? The Dawn of the...
Reflections on New Urbanism and the New World:...
This morning when I walked into the West Palm Beach convention center, I was very excited to be able to meet and brainstorm with the thinkers at the forefront of my profession, or at least the people that share in the same urban design theology. I had heard rumblings about the culture of the Congress of New Urbanism and certainly knew that the founders of the movement were opinionated and...
Preserving Affordability: Gentrification without...
Went to the Preserving Affordability session this afternoon and am so inspired by the thoughtful and passionate discussion surrounding affordable housing and NU. All too often, naysayers of New Urbanism argue that we create places for the wealthy; and to be honest, they are right. As Jaimie Ross from 1000 Friends of Florida pointed out, other than HOPE VI developments, no New Urbanist projects in...
WATCH LIVE: Friday Night Plenary with Richard...
Richard Florida, author of the best-selling Rise of the Creative Class and The Great Reset, speaks at CNU 20 on May 11.
Florida is the founder of the Creative Class Group, currently heads the Martin Prosperity Institute at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, and is a senior editor at Atlantic Magazine, having recently created the Atlantic Cities program.
Watch the...
New Urbanism and Historic Preservation:...
Pratt Cassity discussed the important relationship between historic preservation and new urbanist developments. Being able to create a successful dynamic between these realms is central to the maintenance of past culture and the creation of new desirable places. The problem, as Cassity demonstrated, often comes from a lack of cooperation between developers and architects. Whether with planning a...
Clearer Thinking: Urbanism + Transit
Transportation is always a key issue for New Urbanists as well as the movement of New Urbanism itself. The question is often on how we can make the resources of the city easily accessible for residents who are not dependent on an automobile. G.B. Arrington argued a concept that, in regards to transit, efficiency is the same as abundance. He carefully crafted his presentation to demonstrate that a...
Form based Economic Development on Main Street
Monte Anderson led of this session by exploring a common theme of many urban town centers, dilapidation and vacancy. The automobile boom of the post WWII era was central to the cause of this exodus of capital from the downtown, and Anderson as well as Scott Polikov demonstrated a successful New Urbanist approach to a struggling area of Duncanville, Texas. By embracing the powers of mixed-use...
Peter Calthorpe and China
The rise of the Chinese middle class today is very different than the rise of the American middle class in the 1950s. For one, it is sixteen stories instead of two! That is one of the many observations by Peter Calthorpe when presenting his work in China. If CNU doesn’t pay attention to China and offer part of the solution to land use decisions as the country rapidly urbanizes, “we are...
Where is the Market Taking Us?
Taken as a whole, there is latent demand for urban living. At least that was the message from the session “Where is the Market Taking us?” Various surveys, like the National Association of Realtors survey from 2004 showed there is latent demand for downtown living versus single-use suburban environments. Or a more recent poll indicating fully one-quarter of Americans want to live within walking...
Athena Medal Ceremony
The last ever Athena Medal was awarded tonight to Barbara Littenberg and Steven Peterson. Emceed by Michael Dennis, this token of achievement was awarded in honor of the years of outstanding work performed by Steven and Barbara. Both winners gave a summary of their most notable projects; urban plans ranging in size, location, and purpose but all comprised of valiant, dedicated, and passionate...
Two Traditions of Latin American Urbanism
Eduardo Castillo and Andrew Georgiadis led this session that focused on the dynamics of architecture between Brazil, Guatemala, and other Latin American countries and the place of these structures within their larger urban context. With respect placed on these traditional urban forms and styles, various town plans are being introduced to preserve history and facilitate the needs of residents in an...
Students for the New Urbanism
The SNU session was a great collaboration and discussion on the feasibility of students being able to be a part of our annual Congresses aside from all the work done during the year. The conversation was exciting and inspiring and a great step forward for students who are already interested in New Urbanism, as well as those who are unfamiliar with the movement. Hopefully in time for the next...
2012 Charter Awards!
The 2012 Charter Awards ceremony showcased some of the wonderful work done by CNU members over the past year. Emceed by Doug Kelbaugh, the event started out with some honorable mentions and then gave the first award to the New Wyvernwood, a large-scale development plan for an area about 3 miles outside of Los Angeles. Torti Gallas was very proud of their work as they spoke on stage and were bold...
Handout for Making Urban Facades Session
Heading to Michael Dennis and Dhiru Thadani’s “Making Urban Facades” session this afternoon?
Be sure to download a handout on Dhiru Thadani’s “Secret Lives of Trees” handout.
WATCH Live: Looking Forward: New Urbanism and the...
As we enter CNU’s third decade, economic, political, and environmental conditions pose serious challenges for the built and natural environment, as well as New Urbanist practice. Andres Duany will present the 21st century crises that call for New Urbanists to adapt, including slow development, the public process, suburban retrofit, agricultural urbanism, and the theology of metrics. Dan...
“Perhaps the most impressive of CNU’s accomplishments in its first 20 years...”
– Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, “Twenty Years of CNU: Looking Back, Looking Forward”
Re-imagining the SRO as an affordable housing type
Reading Eric Kleinenberg’s latest book Going Solo has a new relevance for New Urbanism and links directly to CNU 20. In an increasingly urbanized world how do we provide for our most neglected populations: the single and homeless? It was gratifying to read Kelinenberg’s focus on a new innovative solution: bringing back the SRO or single room occupancy building as a housing type but...
Live-Work Planning and Design Book Signing...
I am excited to be holding my first book signing for my new book, Live-Work Planning and Design; Zero-Commute Housing at the CNU 20, in W. Palm Beach on Weds. May 9th from 12:45-1:45, at the CNU bookstore. Hope to see you there! - Tom Dolan.
Meet Island Press Authors!
Visit the Island Press table in the exhibit hall to browse books and learn about our new E-ssentials program, which includes a forthcoming e-book by Daniel Solomon, Bedside Essays for Lovers (of Cities). You can meet Daniel Solomon as well as Peter Calthorpe, Emily Talen, Leon Krier, Galina Tachieva, and Jarrett Walker during the special Meet the Author sessions at our table at the following...
Live-Work Planning and Design: Zero-Commute...
Looking forward to sharing my my new book with fellow CNU attendees, and to presenting on Saturday at 2 PM: The Reality of Live-Work Today. See you there!
- Thomas Dolan.
CNU 20 is Nearly Here.
We’re packing our bags for West Palm Beach.
Make your CNU 20 schedule by reading the Program Book now:
