• Living in a new urban community in the social distancing era

    Traditional neighborhood development (TND) has offered an alternative model for suburban growth starting in the late 20 th Century and continuing today. Kentlands in Gaithersburg, Maryland, is one of the oldest of these developments. Like most TNDs, it has a strong sense of community—a quality that...Read more

  • First prize: Best pavement art in new streetscape

    This is Argyle Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, a downtown street known for its entertainment and dining. As part of a streetscape improvement project, the pavement was painted in an argyle pattern. Whoever had this idea should get a prize, and it lifts my spirits. This photo is from Increments of...Read more

  • Investment in historic square pays off

    The pedestrian-friendly redesign of Cleveland’s Public Square spurred $1.2 billion in investment, according to a study . The 10-acre site at the heart of downtown used to be divided into four smaller squares with wide streets of through-traffic. The $50 million redesign closed Ontario Street, to...Read more

  • Creating civic space from the invisible

    Entire light rail corridors could be reimagined as much better civic space with green tracks rather than the current heavy-freight style engineered rip-rap rocks and fences. More cities should embrace this model. Here is a sketch of this design approach applied to Southend Charlotte, North Carolina...Read more