• A model of New Urbanism in Panama

    The La Fontana District, designed by Moule & Polyzoides, contrasts with sprawl and uncontrolled infill that has damaged the historic city of David, Panama. The plan won a merit award in the Emerging Projects category of the 2020 CNU Charter Awards.
    La Fontana District is a 96-acre new district located to the west of the historic city of David, Panama, on a site facing the Pan-American Highway, which stretches from Alaska to Argentina. Over the decades, uncontrolled infill development and random sprawl have eroded the urban form and ecology of...Read more

  • Urbanists keep planning through crisis

    Using online tools, urban designers conduct virtual charrettes during the coronavirus crisis. Envisioning the future of a city is a great way for all involved to stay productive and connected to the community.
    The Mullan Neighborhoods Master Plan public design charrette in Missoula, Montana, was scheduled March 23-27, just as the governor was ordering residents to stay home. The charrette went ahead as scheduled—as a virtual, online process—producing plans similar to an in-person event. Other design...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

  • Carrying on the work of Christopher Alexander

    A New Pattern Language for Growing Regions provides 80 new patterns, in the format of Alexander’s classic architecture book, and is a worthwhile read for urbanists, planners, and designers of the built environment.
    Architect Christopher Alexander’s 1977 book A Pattern Language has been highly influential in software, inspiring “design patterns” that have become industry standard, and influencing the creation of sites like Wikipedia, notes urbanist and author Michael Mehaffy. By contrast, new pattern...Read more