Redevelopment & Infill posts, articles, and infographics

Space, The First But Not Final Frontier: Analyzing Space, Uses, and Transportation.

May 13, 2012 by Erin Chantry
with 72 views

When I chose this breakout session, I didn’t really fully understand the title, but I was confident that with “space” and “transportation,” it had to be up my alley. It turned out to be a presentation of four of the latest and greatest research papers conducted in the New Urbanism field. As they were discussed, it was a little... [read more]

The right approach to green, inclusive revitalization

May 11, 2012 by Kaid Benfield
with 131 views

When it is done well - with inclusion, affordability, environmental and cultural sensitivity, and attention to great placemaking - few things are as good for our communities as reinvestment in aging neighborhoods. It’s the ultimate win-win-win: improving environmental quality and people habitat while absorbing new... [read more]

Harvard Achieves a Record 75 LEED Certifications

May 7, 2012 by U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
with 108 views

Yevgenia Gorbulsky/Shutterstock

Harvard continues to be a national leader in education, making significant advances to their sustainability goals by having more LEED-certified buildings than any other campus in the US. [read more]

Continuing the Conversation: Towards an Architecture of Place

May 3, 2012 by Project for Public Spaces
with 115 views

Says commenter Suzan Hampton of Rem Koolhaas' Seattle Public Library, which is in the Architecture of Place Hall of Shame: "It feels like being in an airport terminal in there." / Photo: heyskinny via FlickrOver the past couple of months, we have written several times about the need to move toward an Architecture of Place, creating... [read more]

Four Ideas to Lead Cities Into The Future [Video]

May 2, 2012 by Rashiq Fataar
with 316 views

The mayor of Rio shares his insight into what can make the city of the future sustainable. Cool! [read more]

Transforming Suburbia into Eco-Utopia (part 2)

April 30, 2012 by Patrick Lydon
with 189 views

This is the second of a 5-part series on the city of San Jose’s sustainable transportation goals, based on Sociecity’s April 12, 2012 interview with Hans Larsen, the city’s Director of Transportation.“We’re trying to create downtown San Jose as the ‘urban center’ of Silicon Valley” says Hans Larsen, Director of Transportation for the... [read more]

Is placemaking a "new environmentalism"?

April 23, 2012 by Kaid Benfield
with 555 views

Can placemaking - in short, the building or strengthing of physical community fabric to create great human habitat - be a “new environmentalism”? The question is posed by a provocative short essay, which I first discovered last summer. Written by Ethan Kent of the Project for Public Spaces, the article has recently... [read more]

Silicon Valley: From Suburbia to Eco-Utopia (part 1)

April 20, 2012 by Patrick Lydon
with 300 views

San Jose is in the middle of one of the great innovation centers of the modern world, but when it comes to sustainable development, the city has traditionally been a perfect example of what not to do. [read more]

Surviving Sprawl with Pop-up Placemaking in Phoenix

April 19, 2012 by Tazmine Loomans
with 176 views

Phoenix has the opportunity to translate its expanse of vacant land into a distinctive and vibrant city. By encouraging interim development on vacant properties we can inspire experimentation, foster incubation of businesses, and instigate vitality. Sprawling across 1000 square miles, our checkered development is not the result of failed... [read more]

Is the American house a desegregated, poorly engineered commodity?

April 16, 2012 by Peter Rudd
with 199 views

A new show at MOMA takes a look at solutions to the foreclosure crisis. Any good ideas worth implementing? [read more]

From civic boosterism to shared spaces: Belfast

April 9, 2012 by julian dobson
with 89 views

You’d need to be a prize curmudgeon not to be impressed by Titanic Belfast. As a building it's a worthy addition to a city that seeks to celebrate its skills and achievements. Titanic Belfast, seen from across the riverAs a visitor attraction it strikes the right note, avoiding the mawkishness that tends to accompany the... [read more]

Planning For Centuries Ahead

April 3, 2012 by Tyler Caine
with 96 views

We spend a lot of time focusing on the strengths of new products and materials but less time accounting for their shortcomings. Can we relearn how to create products and buildings that last for centuries? [read more]