Gardens & Landscapes
Your Garden Will Spring Higher If You Keep It Local
Indigenous plants support local ecosystems, and by introducing foreign plants to your backyard-garden-ecosystem, you’re interrupting the natural flow. Each region of this country has a specific style, its own pace, tone, foods, views, and people. The type of vegetation also varies by region, but we don’t often think about the flowers or trees that are native to various regions. Can you even name your state flower? [read more]
Water In The Big Apple
American Forests has had a lot to say over the years about the relationship between forests and water. From protectingsourcewater to managing overflow in cities to advocating for forests’ integration into the Clean Water Act. And of course, we’ve been planting trees to restore watersheds for decades. Despite all this... [read more]
Organic Farming: Beyond the Yield Debate
Yields from organic farming may not match those produced by farmers who use synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, but there are other good reasons to buy and support organic–its health benefits, the good that it does for farm workers, even its animal-welfare rules.So, at least, say executives of the Organic Trade Association, a... [read more]
Visualizing the 'Edible City' in Three Minutes
The American Society of Landscape Architects has produced another great video, this one about growing food in cities. I'm a big fan of ASLA's work, in part because of their terrific skill at public and professional communications.This particular project, which according to ASLA was created with assistance from landscape... [read more]
Four Ideas to Lead Cities Into The Future [Video]
The mayor of Rio shares his insight into what can make the city of the future sustainable. Cool! [read more]
There's something about Public Space
South Miami Farmers' Market in front of City HallPerhaps it’s a sense that one has a right to be there. Perhaps it’s the knowledge that everyone has equal footing and that the social contract is forged by the community, not dictated by a landlord. So everyone can stand up and breathe in their inalienable rights. That’s... [read more]
A small celebration of street furniture
Speaking at a conference on ‘streetscapes’ last week, I issued a tongue-in-cheek manifesto: Just Say No to Benches and Bollards.My grouse wasn’t with street furniture in itself, but the thoughtless spending of public money on ill-considered public realm improvements as a substitute for thinking through what would really bring people back... [read more]
Parks that Embrace the City
Gazing out onto the city. Source: SpecialKRBMany parks are designed to provide a sense of escape from the city, through separation from the bustle of street life. On the other hand, parks like the High Line engage creatively, offering new ways of seeing and interacting with the urban landscape. The city becomes a feature... [read more]
In a Harsh Economic Climate, a Way Forward for Designers
The three presidents of the major design organizations shaping the built environment – the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), American Institute of Architects (AIA), and American Planning Association (APA) – discussed the challenges facing the design professions as well as the opportunities at the American... [read more]
Toronto's leadership for green roofs
In January of 2010, Toronto became the first city in North America to require the installation of green roofs on new commercial, institutional, and multifamily residential developments across the city. Next week, the requirement will expand to apply to new industrial development as well.Simply put, a “green roof” is a... [read more]
Making Urban Agriculture a Success [Infographic]
Urban Agriculture is a movement towards growing and raising more food within densely populated areas of major cities. Today, about 15% of the world’s food is now grown in urban areas. Since space is limited in big cities, you may have noticed city gardens sprouting up in smaller spaces (like rooftops or apartment balconies). [read more]
Food Trucks Bring New Patrons to City Parks
Visitors line up for food truck fare at the Prospect Park Food Truck Rally.Credit: Elissa H. IzmailyanThe second season of the Prospect Park Food Truck Rally launched this Sunday in balmy spring weather. On the third Sunday of each month from April through October, sixteen gourmet food trucks will greet crowds of eager... [read more]
Sustainable Cities Collective
Kaid Benfield is director of sustainable communities and smart growth at the Natural Resources Defense Council in Washington, DC. More »
Chris Cheatham is a LEED Accredited Professional and green building authority who frequently speaks to groups and associations. More »
Jared Green is Web Content and Strategy Manager at the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) More »
Rodrigo Herrera Vegas is a writer for for one of Argentina's main newspapers, La Nación, and a radio show host. More »
Warren Karlenzig Warren Karlenzig is the founder and president of Common Current. More »
Geoff Wilkinson is the Vice Chair of the Building Standards Faculty of the Chartered Institute of Building.i More »
Chuck Wolfe Chuck Wolfe is a lawyer, professor, and photographer who blogs at MyUrbanist. More »
- YOU
- TheCityFix - produced by EMBARQ
- Green Buildings Alive
- Kaid Benfield
- This Big City
- polis blog
- Tyler Caine
- Centre for Cities
- Next American City
- Waverly de Bruijn Klaw
- julian dobson
- Vanessa Francis
- Rodrigo Herrera Vegas
- Kristen Jeffers
- Warren Karlenzig
- Jason King
- Mark Lovett
- Adam Mayer
- Daniel Nairn
- Foster Pepper
- Project for Public Spaces
- Douglas Reiser
- Jim Russell
- Neil Takemoto
- Grown in the City
- ECPA Urban Planning
- Jovan Vucetic
- Geoff Wilkinson
- Chuck Wolfe
Transformation Through Technology: Delivering Better Public Services
When: Thu, 2012-05-24 08:00
Webinar: ISO 20121 - Sustainability & Event Management
When: Thu, 2012-05-24 08:00
Sustainability and Affordable Housing: an Interactive Charrette
When: Sat, 2012-06-02 11:00
Tourism and Sustainable Futures: Beyond 2015
When: Fri, 2012-06-15 09:00
Public Sector Leadership: driving cultural change
When: Thu, 2012-06-21 14:36
Youth Policy Summit on Urban Sustainability at UC Denver
When: Sun, 2012-06-24 12:00

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“Ever since it appeared in The Road. Braddock has been on my radar for some time. They have been working hard up there for a long time. Very good to see the community pushed into the spotlight. Looking forward to watching this series of articles!”
“I don't walk by choice. My vision forced me to give up my car years ago. I won't lie, I miss being able to drive. I hate the bus, though Santa Clara's VTA is one of the best systems in the country. But I am able to get around. And I walk to shop, sometimes as far as 3 miles away. Sometimes I take the bus back, sometimes I just walk back. This changes ...”