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A Love Letter To Flemish Cities
I’ve recently become enamored with the historic cities of Flandres, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium. Whilst I used to only pass through Flandres in the past, often on my way to France, I first discovered Flemish cities on a study trip to the region in 2007. Wandering through places like Bruges or Ghent with a
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NY’s Snow Parking Problem
When I went to school at the University at Albany, I lived in the downtown dorms which meant that if I wanted to have a car I had to deal with street parking. During my first snowstorm I heard on the radio that a Snow Emergency was in effect, and that all of the cars parked on
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To my first love in a new city
By Alyssa Campbell Dear Parc de la Fontaine, Since it’s Valentine’s Day, I thought I would let you know what you have meant to me these past few months. Since I first laid my eyes upon you that first day I spent in the city of Montreal, we’ve been intertwined in an inexorable love affair.
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Lucknow, India: A City With a Glorious Past
The royal family of Oudh (1722-1858) were the historically-rich and powerful rulers of their north-Indian state. The Nawabs of Oudh were generous patrons of art, poetry and music. Their royal treasury paid stipends and pensions to dancers, musicians and poets. Public poetry readings were held at the expense of nawabs, where poets from all over the India were invited. These free poetry readings
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A Love Letter to Austin
Dear Austin, Though it’s been some time since we were last together, I find myself wandering back to your memory during the cold vortex evenings in New York. We were a classic case of opposites attract. Me, the seasoned urbanite and native New Yorker accustomed to high density design, a 24-hour transit system and excellent
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Is the architect an artist?
By Alyssa Campbell Is the architect an artist or is he simply the creator of functional buildings? John Ruskin, a famous architectural writer, once remarked, “No person who is not a great sculptor or painter can be an architect. If he is not a sculptor or painter, he can only be a builder.” (1) From
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Planning Love: V-Day Cards
WRITTEN BY ALINE FADER Some west coast love has infiltrated the internet in the form of the ‘Planning Love’ site that has Valentine’s Day cards for planners, architects, etc… Check it out, they are quite clever! I am hoping to see one that is a classier version of this:
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Love Letters
WRITTEN BY ALINE FADER Since this month happens to be 2/14 (a whole Valentine’s month!) we have asked our writers to post love letters to urban planning/architecture related things to express how deep their love is for the neighborhoods, cities, streets, architects, land use regulations, etc. that inspire them. Throughout the month expect to see these.
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Becoming the Cycling Capital of the 21st Century
Last year, we wrote about cycling in Amsterdam, the world’s most bicycle-friendly city according to the Copenhagenize Index of 2013. Whilst we don’t need to repeat how the city’s urban form is very conducive to cycling, or how the city’s high cycling rates are a result of decades of careful planning, it is worth noting
