Category: Architecture|Design

  • Flemish Government Architect’s Office Abolished

    Flemish Government Architect’s Office Abolished

    As austerity measures sweep across the European continent, the freshly installed Flemish government abolished the position of Vlaams Bouwmeester, or Flemish Government Architect, last month. This news follows after the City of Antwerp had abolished the position of Stadsbouwmeester, or City Architect last year. Though it is difficult to translate this job title, the Vlaams…

  • Creative Class Controvery

    Creative Class Controvery

    What happens when a university, which emphasizes active citizenship and creativity, ironically destroys creative space behind closed doors? It’s not the same as when a university takes over a transportation hub, or when a university takes over a neighborhood — be it in Boston or New York. No, this is a catch-22 expansion into the domain…

  • Powers, Identities, Ideologies

    Powers, Identities, Ideologies

    Where do you live? A capital city? A planned city? An industrial city? A ghost city? A green city? A colonial city? An authentic city? A global city? A shrinking city? A gentrifying city? A spiritual city? A divided city? An ancient city? Perhaps, a combination of these types? How about a city with powers,…

  • (In)formality (In)justice

    (In)formality (In)justice

    As many New Yorkers know, the rent is too damn high. The neighborhoods of New York have always been dynamic and ever-changing, and today, this continues to be true, but perhaps, on a level unforeseen in recent memory. Many are being priced out of our neighborhoods that they’ve lived in, sometimes for generations. So I asked Jimmy…

  • (Re)New Your City, New York City: European Best Practices for NYC

    (Re)New Your City, New York City: European Best Practices for NYC

    After waiting for three trains to enter and to leave Fulton Street before I could fit inside (there were delays), I had one more example to use when explaining why we need better public transportation. But what does better transportation mean? It depends on our geography, our culture, our economy, our politics, and our history.…

  • Newburgh and New ‘Burbs

    Newburgh and New ‘Burbs

    The Hudson River shines only a five minute walk away, and the mountains and forests surrounding the river are surreal. From the bustling and wide boulevards – some of the widest in the State – farmland can be seen in the distance. Old, colonial buildings dot the landscape, which served as the Headquarters of the…