• With CNU’s mission unfulfilled, Mallory Baches takes co-leadership reins

    In late November CNU’s board hired Mallory Baches as the new President, to co-lead with new Executive Director Margaret Gattis. Mallory recently discussed CNU’s urgent mission.
    Public Square editor Robert Steuteville interviewed CNU's incoming President, Mallory Baches, on her aspirations and expectations for the organization. What in your background best prepares you for this position? As a practitioner of the New Urbanism, the principles of the Charter have been the...Read more

  • Twelve ways to achieve authenticity in community design

    Authenticity seems impossible today, with places and buildings that look like they could be anywhere, lacking harmony with nature and local culture. But designers can achieve authenticity through effective principles, and a dozen of them are listed here.
    Some sources of authenticity in the built environment are obvious, beginning with integrity. Is the design true to itself, and without obvious internal contradictions? Places and buildings with integrity tend to bring more joy than those laden with conflict. Is the design appropriate to the region...Read more

  • Much of its downtown gone, Hartford leads the way to parking reform

    The capital city of Connecticut tore down many buildings to store cars, but city officials have realized the error and reversed course.
    Like many industrial cities in the United States, Hartford saw dramatic population decline during the second half of the 20th century. In 1960, half of the people working in Hartford lived there, many walking or taking transit to jobs downtown; by 1980, less than a quarter of its workforce called...Read more

  • Get the 2023 Charter Awards inside scoop

    Megan O’Hara is the 2023 Charter Awards Jury Chair. A focus of this year’s jury will be on projects that build great places for all by being accessible and equitable.
    Note: I sat down with 2023 Charter Awards Jury Chair Megan O’Hara to discuss her New Urbanist background and her experience as both an applicant and Charter Awards jury member. The conversation has been edited for clarity. Learn more about the 2023 Charter Awards application here . Megan O’Hara...Read more