• Ten more songs for urbanists

    When I posted a list of ten songs for urbanists in February, many people posted alternative suggestions—so many that I nearly had enough for another list. I curated those suggestions and added a few more. Enjoy! Where Do the Children Play? Cat Stevens asks the eternal question of urban planning—as...Read more

  • Harnessing the power of the sociable city

    Sociability is an economic engine driving the development of cities throughout the world. Keys are to enhance vibrancy, assure safety, and plan for people.
    As more people seek a more urban lifestyle, there is increased demand for places to eat, drink, and listen to music and dance. More people brings more vibrancy, though may also place additional burdens on public safety resources and impact the quality of life for residents not part of the “other 9...Read more

  • Ten songs for urbanists

    I offer a personal selection of music on topics that urbanists care about—I hope you enjoy it.
    My City Was Gone This angry and powerful Pretenders favorite has it all: A dying downtown, transit, sprawl, malls, development of the countryside, highways, and loss of innocence—all structured around an amazing guitar riff and back beat. What more could an urbanist ask? Chrissie Hynde sings about...Read more

  • The missing middle of our social lives

    The social village has withered in the US, according to The Vanishing Neighbor: The Transformation of American Community, by Marc Dunkelman. How do we restore it?
    The social village has withered in the US, according to The Vanishing Neighbor: The Transformation of American Community , by Marc Dunkelman, a research fellow at Brown University and a senior fellow at the Clinton Foundation. The strength of America, from the colonial days to about 40 years ago,...Read more