• Hard lessons of disaster and recovery

    In the wake of Hurricane Dorian, which destroyed much that was good in The Bahamas, it is worth reviewing the lessons from recent natural disasters on how to build to last and recover local culture and economies.
    I spent most of my life inland before moving to Miami Beach in 2003. Where I grew up, the main disaster threats were tornadoes, which are exceptionally violent, sudden, and focused. Within 60 seconds of the warning being issued for the Airport Road tornado November 15, 1989, close to a dozen people...Read more

  • The long road home for The Bahamas

    If The Bahamas rebuilds using the wisdom hard-earned on these islands over time, then the disaster of Dorian can result in a renewal of the places and buildings that have made The Bahamas world-famous, and have long driven the economy.
    It is heartbreaking to see the suffering and devastation in The Bahamas from Hurricane Dorian, which struck these islands in early September, and thoughts of those lonely rebuilding years ahead are even harder to bear for all of us who love The Bahamas. It’ll be lonely because after the first...Read more

  • Enhancing New Urbanism through greenway design

    Linear greenways, through and bordering neighborhoods, are crucial design features of the most livable new urban communities. Here are examples of why and how they should be incorporated.
    After 45 years of professional practice, I’ve come to believe that creating greenway networks for informal recreation, exercise, and enjoyment of nature is one of the most fundamental elements of enlightened town planning, whether in rural, suburban, or urban locations. Simply put, greenways and...Read more

  • Form, not content, dictates the ‘smart’ city

    Traditional urbanism is the livable and sustainable alternative to what is being promised in breathtaking futuristic renderings of glass and steel structures.
    Lament: Those who learn from history are forced to live with those who do not. We suffer the consequences of the ignorant repeating known mistakes. Unspoken truths: Form has always been the primary interest of the architectural designer. Within the design professions, peer recognition is valued...Read more