• Why we need ‘sociable distancing’

    The false duality between dense public spaces and isolated private ones misses the complexity of all the diverse—and relatively safe—urban places in between.
    One of the long-term dangers of the coronavirus pandemic is that it may well exacerbate the worst tendencies of modern sprawl: all of the encapsulated, sedentary, car-dependent habits that have left us increasingly isolated and less healthy . One of the great opportunities of this episode, however...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

  • A comprehensive guide to buildings in walkable neighborhoods

    Here’s what you need to know about a wide range of building types that make up mixed-use cities and towns, how they work, and why they matter.
    When I prepare to review a book, I highlight key passages. But I couldn’t bring myself to mark up the pages of Increments of Neighborhood: A Compendium of Built Types for Walkable and Vibrant Communities . My highlighter hovered over the first few pages, until—nah—I just put it away. There is...Read more

  • Love (of place) in interesting times

    As we conduct a partial retreat from our habitat to our homes and our world becomes smaller we do so knowing that this is temporary, that we social creatures must eventually return to our natural habitat, the city.
    Note: This article was written for the Central Texas chapter of CNU, CNU-CTX, and the observations could apply to any community. It is said a curse goes “May you live in interesting times.” If we didn’t understand why that was considered a curse before, we certainly are fully cognizant of it now...Read more