• The magic of urban trees

    In a city like Seattle, more than 100,000 trees could be planted at intersections alone. These trees would provide enormous psychological, social, environmental, and economic benefit.
    We are hard-wired to love trees, ever since we looked out from their dappled light for predator and prey on the edge of the African Savanna millions of years ago. It’s now a timely love affair as we wage war against our greatest challenge – climate change. Here’s a list of the numerous benefits of...Read more

  • America needs civility, and civic art can help

    If we acknowledge the value of civic art, we should consider that civic art, like human beings, should be held accountable and be afforded the opportunity, where necessary, to “mature” in the context of civil engagement.
    Civic space and civic art can play a vital role in the stability of societies. We inherently desire beautiful places to inhabit and be inspired by. We also desire doing so in the company of others because we have the common goal of living in a good and just society. A successful civic realm can...Read more

  • ‘Traffic Gardens’ teach students to bike safely

    A second-grade bike education program in DC also informs children about street networks and helps them to understand their community.
    As schools nationwide have been closed since mid-March—and it is unclear when they all will reopen—now is a great time to remember why community schools are important civic institutions. Prior to Covid, District of Columbia schools launched a program to teach young children the safe use of streets...Read more

  • Thoughts about urbanism and architecture in the face of COVID-19

    The pandemic may have long-lasting design impacts, but we still need sociable and walkable places.
    At some point we will re-emerge from our quarantines—even those of us that take seriously the threat of this virus. Tentatively at first, we will increasingly find ourselves in public or semi-public spaces. If and when treatments and vaccines come on-line, we will become less fearful of elevators...Read more