Comments on: Who are the top urban thinkers? http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/ Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:14:30 -0700 hourly 1 By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Fred Scharmen Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:27:10 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-40 You're right, Craig, an article like this that's essentially full of anecdotes isn't really fair. To be informative, one would have to compare actual rates of petty crime and vandalism between similar communities, and ignore the resident's self reported perception. I also like alleys, and think people tend to be more afraid of them then they deserve. That said, I don't think copying the principles of traditional town planning wholesale without responding to contemporary needs (like parking) is going to get anyone on a list of innovative urban thinkers. That's just the equivalent, at a larger scale, of a styrofoam cornice. You’re right, Craig, an article like this that’s essentially full of anecdotes isn’t really fair. To be informative, one would have to compare actual rates of petty crime and vandalism between similar communities, and ignore the resident’s self reported perception. I also like alleys, and think people tend to be more afraid of them then they deserve.

That said, I don’t think copying the principles of traditional town planning wholesale without responding to contemporary needs (like parking) is going to get anyone on a list of innovative urban thinkers. That’s just the equivalent, at a larger scale, of a styrofoam cornice.

]]> By: eric leshinsky http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-34 eric leshinsky Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:24:56 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-34 koolhaas has got to be in the group. i feel like it's become a cliche to put him in any list. and his research and theoretical projects are totally overshadowed by his buildings these days. but he deserves much credit for properly framing the questions/issues/problems that continue to define this era's urbanism and architecture. I was just rereading his 1994 essay "The Generic City" from S M L XL koolhaas has got to be in the group. i feel like it’s become a cliche to put him in any list. and his research and theoretical projects are totally overshadowed by his buildings these days. but he deserves much credit for properly framing the questions/issues/problems that continue to define this era’s urbanism and architecture. I was just rereading his 1994 essay “The Generic City” from S M L XL

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Craig Purcell Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:23:07 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-33 Poor Leon, He freed us from the tyranny of modernism only to be confronted by cracks in damp walls, cold drafts, dark alleys & keeping up with the Jones's next door. Perhaps he should have consulted a feng shui expert if social harmony and good fortune are goals to be achieved. I have not been to Poundbury but have explore it through google earth and thought about its application to an actual project & tried to sell it -- the client wasn't interested... I like the use of walls at the lot line, irregular geometries, hidden alleys & pedestarian ways, distributed parking in small lots hidden from public view, intimate streetscape and scale of the place. It has a good density and it is laid out like a historic district. The social problems of small towns like juveniles vandalizing parks, pranks, human jealousies and the solving of the seven deadly sins cannot be solved by architecture, urban design or planning. Look at the animosities in well scaled Annapolis as an example of what happens when people (business, resident & transient) live in close mixed use proximity to each other -- Maybe it is better to retreat into the woods alone with your car pondering carbon sequestration. Poor Leon,

He freed us from the tyranny of modernism only to be confronted by cracks in damp walls, cold drafts, dark alleys & keeping up with the Jones’s next door. Perhaps he should have consulted a feng shui expert if social harmony and good fortune are goals to be achieved. I have not been to Poundbury but have explore it through google earth and thought about its application to an actual project & tried to sell it — the client wasn’t interested…

I like the use of walls at the lot line, irregular geometries, hidden alleys & pedestarian ways, distributed parking in small lots hidden from public view, intimate streetscape and scale of the place. It has a good density and it is laid out like a historic district.

The social problems of small towns like juveniles vandalizing parks, pranks, human jealousies and the solving of the seven deadly sins cannot be solved by architecture, urban design or planning. Look at the animosities in well scaled Annapolis as an example of what happens when people (business, resident & transient) live in close mixed use proximity to each other — Maybe it is better to retreat into the woods alone with your car pondering carbon sequestration.

]]> By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Fred Scharmen Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:03:44 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-32 Krier's Poundbury doesn't seem to be doing so well, according to a recent article in the Guardian: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/aug/17/prince-charles-dream-village-poundbury" rel="nofollow">link</a> Krier’s Poundbury doesn’t seem to be doing so well, according to a recent article in the Guardian: link

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Craig Purcell Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:47:04 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-31 Let's not forget Leon Krier... Let’s not forget Leon Krier…

]]> By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Fred Scharmen Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:19:41 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-27 I would recommend <a href="http://varnelis.net/" rel="nofollow">Kazys Varnelis</a> for his writing on infrastructure, networks, and complexity, <a href="http://www.panix.com/~keller/" rel="nofollow">Keller Easterling</a> for her work on globalization, ironic humor, and non-oppositional activism, and also <a href="http://www.wired.com/beyond_the_beyond/" rel="nofollow">Bruce Sterling</a> for his research on technology, pop culture, and general international weirdness. I would recommend Kazys Varnelis for his writing on infrastructure, networks, and complexity, Keller Easterling for her work on globalization, ironic humor, and non-oppositional activism, and also Bruce Sterling for his research on technology, pop culture, and general international weirdness.

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/ Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:14:30 -0700 hourly 1 Comments on: Who are the top urban thinkers? http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/ Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:14:30 -0700 hourly 1 By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Fred Scharmen Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:27:10 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-40 You're right, Craig, an article like this that's essentially full of anecdotes isn't really fair. To be informative, one would have to compare actual rates of petty crime and vandalism between similar communities, and ignore the resident's self reported perception. I also like alleys, and think people tend to be more afraid of them then they deserve. That said, I don't think copying the principles of traditional town planning wholesale without responding to contemporary needs (like parking) is going to get anyone on a list of innovative urban thinkers. That's just the equivalent, at a larger scale, of a styrofoam cornice. You’re right, Craig, an article like this that’s essentially full of anecdotes isn’t really fair. To be informative, one would have to compare actual rates of petty crime and vandalism between similar communities, and ignore the resident’s self reported perception. I also like alleys, and think people tend to be more afraid of them then they deserve.

That said, I don’t think copying the principles of traditional town planning wholesale without responding to contemporary needs (like parking) is going to get anyone on a list of innovative urban thinkers. That’s just the equivalent, at a larger scale, of a styrofoam cornice.

]]> By: eric leshinsky http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-34 eric leshinsky Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:24:56 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-34 koolhaas has got to be in the group. i feel like it's become a cliche to put him in any list. and his research and theoretical projects are totally overshadowed by his buildings these days. but he deserves much credit for properly framing the questions/issues/problems that continue to define this era's urbanism and architecture. I was just rereading his 1994 essay "The Generic City" from S M L XL koolhaas has got to be in the group. i feel like it’s become a cliche to put him in any list. and his research and theoretical projects are totally overshadowed by his buildings these days. but he deserves much credit for properly framing the questions/issues/problems that continue to define this era’s urbanism and architecture. I was just rereading his 1994 essay “The Generic City” from S M L XL

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Craig Purcell Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:23:07 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-33 Poor Leon, He freed us from the tyranny of modernism only to be confronted by cracks in damp walls, cold drafts, dark alleys & keeping up with the Jones's next door. Perhaps he should have consulted a feng shui expert if social harmony and good fortune are goals to be achieved. I have not been to Poundbury but have explore it through google earth and thought about its application to an actual project & tried to sell it -- the client wasn't interested... I like the use of walls at the lot line, irregular geometries, hidden alleys & pedestarian ways, distributed parking in small lots hidden from public view, intimate streetscape and scale of the place. It has a good density and it is laid out like a historic district. The social problems of small towns like juveniles vandalizing parks, pranks, human jealousies and the solving of the seven deadly sins cannot be solved by architecture, urban design or planning. Look at the animosities in well scaled Annapolis as an example of what happens when people (business, resident & transient) live in close mixed use proximity to each other -- Maybe it is better to retreat into the woods alone with your car pondering carbon sequestration. Poor Leon,

He freed us from the tyranny of modernism only to be confronted by cracks in damp walls, cold drafts, dark alleys & keeping up with the Jones’s next door. Perhaps he should have consulted a feng shui expert if social harmony and good fortune are goals to be achieved. I have not been to Poundbury but have explore it through google earth and thought about its application to an actual project & tried to sell it — the client wasn’t interested…

I like the use of walls at the lot line, irregular geometries, hidden alleys & pedestarian ways, distributed parking in small lots hidden from public view, intimate streetscape and scale of the place. It has a good density and it is laid out like a historic district.

The social problems of small towns like juveniles vandalizing parks, pranks, human jealousies and the solving of the seven deadly sins cannot be solved by architecture, urban design or planning. Look at the animosities in well scaled Annapolis as an example of what happens when people (business, resident & transient) live in close mixed use proximity to each other — Maybe it is better to retreat into the woods alone with your car pondering carbon sequestration.

]]> By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Fred Scharmen Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:03:44 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-32 Krier's Poundbury doesn't seem to be doing so well, according to a recent article in the Guardian: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/aug/17/prince-charles-dream-village-poundbury" rel="nofollow">link</a> Krier’s Poundbury doesn’t seem to be doing so well, according to a recent article in the Guardian: link

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Craig Purcell Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:47:04 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-31 Let's not forget Leon Krier... Let’s not forget Leon Krier…

]]> By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Fred Scharmen Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:19:41 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-27 I would recommend <a href="http://varnelis.net/" rel="nofollow">Kazys Varnelis</a> for his writing on infrastructure, networks, and complexity, <a href="http://www.panix.com/~keller/" rel="nofollow">Keller Easterling</a> for her work on globalization, ironic humor, and non-oppositional activism, and also <a href="http://www.wired.com/beyond_the_beyond/" rel="nofollow">Bruce Sterling</a> for his research on technology, pop culture, and general international weirdness. I would recommend Kazys Varnelis for his writing on infrastructure, networks, and complexity, Keller Easterling for her work on globalization, ironic humor, and non-oppositional activism, and also Bruce Sterling for his research on technology, pop culture, and general international weirdness.

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Fred Scharmen Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:27:10 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-40 You're right, Craig, an article like this that's essentially full of anecdotes isn't really fair. To be informative, one would have to compare actual rates of petty crime and vandalism between similar communities, and ignore the resident's self reported perception. I also like alleys, and think people tend to be more afraid of them then they deserve. That said, I don't think copying the principles of traditional town planning wholesale without responding to contemporary needs (like parking) is going to get anyone on a list of innovative urban thinkers. That's just the equivalent, at a larger scale, of a styrofoam cornice. You’re right, Craig, an article like this that’s essentially full of anecdotes isn’t really fair. To be informative, one would have to compare actual rates of petty crime and vandalism between similar communities, and ignore the resident’s self reported perception. I also like alleys, and think people tend to be more afraid of them then they deserve.

That said, I don’t think copying the principles of traditional town planning wholesale without responding to contemporary needs (like parking) is going to get anyone on a list of innovative urban thinkers. That’s just the equivalent, at a larger scale, of a styrofoam cornice.

]]> Comments on: Who are the top urban thinkers? http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/ Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:14:30 -0700 hourly 1 By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Fred Scharmen Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:27:10 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-40 You're right, Craig, an article like this that's essentially full of anecdotes isn't really fair. To be informative, one would have to compare actual rates of petty crime and vandalism between similar communities, and ignore the resident's self reported perception. I also like alleys, and think people tend to be more afraid of them then they deserve. That said, I don't think copying the principles of traditional town planning wholesale without responding to contemporary needs (like parking) is going to get anyone on a list of innovative urban thinkers. That's just the equivalent, at a larger scale, of a styrofoam cornice. You’re right, Craig, an article like this that’s essentially full of anecdotes isn’t really fair. To be informative, one would have to compare actual rates of petty crime and vandalism between similar communities, and ignore the resident’s self reported perception. I also like alleys, and think people tend to be more afraid of them then they deserve.

That said, I don’t think copying the principles of traditional town planning wholesale without responding to contemporary needs (like parking) is going to get anyone on a list of innovative urban thinkers. That’s just the equivalent, at a larger scale, of a styrofoam cornice.

]]> By: eric leshinsky http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-34 eric leshinsky Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:24:56 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-34 koolhaas has got to be in the group. i feel like it's become a cliche to put him in any list. and his research and theoretical projects are totally overshadowed by his buildings these days. but he deserves much credit for properly framing the questions/issues/problems that continue to define this era's urbanism and architecture. I was just rereading his 1994 essay "The Generic City" from S M L XL koolhaas has got to be in the group. i feel like it’s become a cliche to put him in any list. and his research and theoretical projects are totally overshadowed by his buildings these days. but he deserves much credit for properly framing the questions/issues/problems that continue to define this era’s urbanism and architecture. I was just rereading his 1994 essay “The Generic City” from S M L XL

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Craig Purcell Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:23:07 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-33 Poor Leon, He freed us from the tyranny of modernism only to be confronted by cracks in damp walls, cold drafts, dark alleys & keeping up with the Jones's next door. Perhaps he should have consulted a feng shui expert if social harmony and good fortune are goals to be achieved. I have not been to Poundbury but have explore it through google earth and thought about its application to an actual project & tried to sell it -- the client wasn't interested... I like the use of walls at the lot line, irregular geometries, hidden alleys & pedestarian ways, distributed parking in small lots hidden from public view, intimate streetscape and scale of the place. It has a good density and it is laid out like a historic district. The social problems of small towns like juveniles vandalizing parks, pranks, human jealousies and the solving of the seven deadly sins cannot be solved by architecture, urban design or planning. Look at the animosities in well scaled Annapolis as an example of what happens when people (business, resident & transient) live in close mixed use proximity to each other -- Maybe it is better to retreat into the woods alone with your car pondering carbon sequestration. Poor Leon,

He freed us from the tyranny of modernism only to be confronted by cracks in damp walls, cold drafts, dark alleys & keeping up with the Jones’s next door. Perhaps he should have consulted a feng shui expert if social harmony and good fortune are goals to be achieved. I have not been to Poundbury but have explore it through google earth and thought about its application to an actual project & tried to sell it — the client wasn’t interested…

I like the use of walls at the lot line, irregular geometries, hidden alleys & pedestarian ways, distributed parking in small lots hidden from public view, intimate streetscape and scale of the place. It has a good density and it is laid out like a historic district.

The social problems of small towns like juveniles vandalizing parks, pranks, human jealousies and the solving of the seven deadly sins cannot be solved by architecture, urban design or planning. Look at the animosities in well scaled Annapolis as an example of what happens when people (business, resident & transient) live in close mixed use proximity to each other — Maybe it is better to retreat into the woods alone with your car pondering carbon sequestration.

]]> By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Fred Scharmen Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:03:44 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-32 Krier's Poundbury doesn't seem to be doing so well, according to a recent article in the Guardian: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/aug/17/prince-charles-dream-village-poundbury" rel="nofollow">link</a> Krier’s Poundbury doesn’t seem to be doing so well, according to a recent article in the Guardian: link

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Craig Purcell Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:47:04 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-31 Let's not forget Leon Krier... Let’s not forget Leon Krier…

]]> By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Fred Scharmen Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:19:41 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-27 I would recommend <a href="http://varnelis.net/" rel="nofollow">Kazys Varnelis</a> for his writing on infrastructure, networks, and complexity, <a href="http://www.panix.com/~keller/" rel="nofollow">Keller Easterling</a> for her work on globalization, ironic humor, and non-oppositional activism, and also <a href="http://www.wired.com/beyond_the_beyond/" rel="nofollow">Bruce Sterling</a> for his research on technology, pop culture, and general international weirdness. I would recommend Kazys Varnelis for his writing on infrastructure, networks, and complexity, Keller Easterling for her work on globalization, ironic humor, and non-oppositional activism, and also Bruce Sterling for his research on technology, pop culture, and general international weirdness.

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-34 eric leshinsky Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:24:56 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-34 koolhaas has got to be in the group. i feel like it's become a cliche to put him in any list. and his research and theoretical projects are totally overshadowed by his buildings these days. but he deserves much credit for properly framing the questions/issues/problems that continue to define this era's urbanism and architecture. I was just rereading his 1994 essay "The Generic City" from S M L XL koolhaas has got to be in the group. i feel like it’s become a cliche to put him in any list. and his research and theoretical projects are totally overshadowed by his buildings these days. but he deserves much credit for properly framing the questions/issues/problems that continue to define this era’s urbanism and architecture. I was just rereading his 1994 essay “The Generic City” from S M L XL

]]> Comments on: Who are the top urban thinkers? http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/ Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:14:30 -0700 hourly 1 By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Fred Scharmen Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:27:10 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-40 You're right, Craig, an article like this that's essentially full of anecdotes isn't really fair. To be informative, one would have to compare actual rates of petty crime and vandalism between similar communities, and ignore the resident's self reported perception. I also like alleys, and think people tend to be more afraid of them then they deserve. That said, I don't think copying the principles of traditional town planning wholesale without responding to contemporary needs (like parking) is going to get anyone on a list of innovative urban thinkers. That's just the equivalent, at a larger scale, of a styrofoam cornice. You’re right, Craig, an article like this that’s essentially full of anecdotes isn’t really fair. To be informative, one would have to compare actual rates of petty crime and vandalism between similar communities, and ignore the resident’s self reported perception. I also like alleys, and think people tend to be more afraid of them then they deserve.

That said, I don’t think copying the principles of traditional town planning wholesale without responding to contemporary needs (like parking) is going to get anyone on a list of innovative urban thinkers. That’s just the equivalent, at a larger scale, of a styrofoam cornice.

]]> By: eric leshinsky http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-34 eric leshinsky Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:24:56 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-34 koolhaas has got to be in the group. i feel like it's become a cliche to put him in any list. and his research and theoretical projects are totally overshadowed by his buildings these days. but he deserves much credit for properly framing the questions/issues/problems that continue to define this era's urbanism and architecture. I was just rereading his 1994 essay "The Generic City" from S M L XL koolhaas has got to be in the group. i feel like it’s become a cliche to put him in any list. and his research and theoretical projects are totally overshadowed by his buildings these days. but he deserves much credit for properly framing the questions/issues/problems that continue to define this era’s urbanism and architecture. I was just rereading his 1994 essay “The Generic City” from S M L XL

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Craig Purcell Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:23:07 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-33 Poor Leon, He freed us from the tyranny of modernism only to be confronted by cracks in damp walls, cold drafts, dark alleys & keeping up with the Jones's next door. Perhaps he should have consulted a feng shui expert if social harmony and good fortune are goals to be achieved. I have not been to Poundbury but have explore it through google earth and thought about its application to an actual project & tried to sell it -- the client wasn't interested... I like the use of walls at the lot line, irregular geometries, hidden alleys & pedestarian ways, distributed parking in small lots hidden from public view, intimate streetscape and scale of the place. It has a good density and it is laid out like a historic district. The social problems of small towns like juveniles vandalizing parks, pranks, human jealousies and the solving of the seven deadly sins cannot be solved by architecture, urban design or planning. Look at the animosities in well scaled Annapolis as an example of what happens when people (business, resident & transient) live in close mixed use proximity to each other -- Maybe it is better to retreat into the woods alone with your car pondering carbon sequestration. Poor Leon,

He freed us from the tyranny of modernism only to be confronted by cracks in damp walls, cold drafts, dark alleys & keeping up with the Jones’s next door. Perhaps he should have consulted a feng shui expert if social harmony and good fortune are goals to be achieved. I have not been to Poundbury but have explore it through google earth and thought about its application to an actual project & tried to sell it — the client wasn’t interested…

I like the use of walls at the lot line, irregular geometries, hidden alleys & pedestarian ways, distributed parking in small lots hidden from public view, intimate streetscape and scale of the place. It has a good density and it is laid out like a historic district.

The social problems of small towns like juveniles vandalizing parks, pranks, human jealousies and the solving of the seven deadly sins cannot be solved by architecture, urban design or planning. Look at the animosities in well scaled Annapolis as an example of what happens when people (business, resident & transient) live in close mixed use proximity to each other — Maybe it is better to retreat into the woods alone with your car pondering carbon sequestration.

]]> By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Fred Scharmen Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:03:44 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-32 Krier's Poundbury doesn't seem to be doing so well, according to a recent article in the Guardian: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/aug/17/prince-charles-dream-village-poundbury" rel="nofollow">link</a> Krier’s Poundbury doesn’t seem to be doing so well, according to a recent article in the Guardian: link

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Craig Purcell Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:47:04 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-31 Let's not forget Leon Krier... Let’s not forget Leon Krier…

]]> By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Fred Scharmen Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:19:41 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-27 I would recommend <a href="http://varnelis.net/" rel="nofollow">Kazys Varnelis</a> for his writing on infrastructure, networks, and complexity, <a href="http://www.panix.com/~keller/" rel="nofollow">Keller Easterling</a> for her work on globalization, ironic humor, and non-oppositional activism, and also <a href="http://www.wired.com/beyond_the_beyond/" rel="nofollow">Bruce Sterling</a> for his research on technology, pop culture, and general international weirdness. I would recommend Kazys Varnelis for his writing on infrastructure, networks, and complexity, Keller Easterling for her work on globalization, ironic humor, and non-oppositional activism, and also Bruce Sterling for his research on technology, pop culture, and general international weirdness.

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Craig Purcell Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:23:07 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-33 Poor Leon, He freed us from the tyranny of modernism only to be confronted by cracks in damp walls, cold drafts, dark alleys & keeping up with the Jones's next door. Perhaps he should have consulted a feng shui expert if social harmony and good fortune are goals to be achieved. I have not been to Poundbury but have explore it through google earth and thought about its application to an actual project & tried to sell it -- the client wasn't interested... I like the use of walls at the lot line, irregular geometries, hidden alleys & pedestarian ways, distributed parking in small lots hidden from public view, intimate streetscape and scale of the place. It has a good density and it is laid out like a historic district. The social problems of small towns like juveniles vandalizing parks, pranks, human jealousies and the solving of the seven deadly sins cannot be solved by architecture, urban design or planning. Look at the animosities in well scaled Annapolis as an example of what happens when people (business, resident & transient) live in close mixed use proximity to each other -- Maybe it is better to retreat into the woods alone with your car pondering carbon sequestration. Poor Leon,

He freed us from the tyranny of modernism only to be confronted by cracks in damp walls, cold drafts, dark alleys & keeping up with the Jones’s next door. Perhaps he should have consulted a feng shui expert if social harmony and good fortune are goals to be achieved. I have not been to Poundbury but have explore it through google earth and thought about its application to an actual project & tried to sell it — the client wasn’t interested…

I like the use of walls at the lot line, irregular geometries, hidden alleys & pedestarian ways, distributed parking in small lots hidden from public view, intimate streetscape and scale of the place. It has a good density and it is laid out like a historic district.

The social problems of small towns like juveniles vandalizing parks, pranks, human jealousies and the solving of the seven deadly sins cannot be solved by architecture, urban design or planning. Look at the animosities in well scaled Annapolis as an example of what happens when people (business, resident & transient) live in close mixed use proximity to each other — Maybe it is better to retreat into the woods alone with your car pondering carbon sequestration.

]]> Comments on: Who are the top urban thinkers? http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/ Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:14:30 -0700 hourly 1 By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Fred Scharmen Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:27:10 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-40 You're right, Craig, an article like this that's essentially full of anecdotes isn't really fair. To be informative, one would have to compare actual rates of petty crime and vandalism between similar communities, and ignore the resident's self reported perception. I also like alleys, and think people tend to be more afraid of them then they deserve. That said, I don't think copying the principles of traditional town planning wholesale without responding to contemporary needs (like parking) is going to get anyone on a list of innovative urban thinkers. That's just the equivalent, at a larger scale, of a styrofoam cornice. You’re right, Craig, an article like this that’s essentially full of anecdotes isn’t really fair. To be informative, one would have to compare actual rates of petty crime and vandalism between similar communities, and ignore the resident’s self reported perception. I also like alleys, and think people tend to be more afraid of them then they deserve.

That said, I don’t think copying the principles of traditional town planning wholesale without responding to contemporary needs (like parking) is going to get anyone on a list of innovative urban thinkers. That’s just the equivalent, at a larger scale, of a styrofoam cornice.

]]> By: eric leshinsky http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-34 eric leshinsky Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:24:56 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-34 koolhaas has got to be in the group. i feel like it's become a cliche to put him in any list. and his research and theoretical projects are totally overshadowed by his buildings these days. but he deserves much credit for properly framing the questions/issues/problems that continue to define this era's urbanism and architecture. I was just rereading his 1994 essay "The Generic City" from S M L XL koolhaas has got to be in the group. i feel like it’s become a cliche to put him in any list. and his research and theoretical projects are totally overshadowed by his buildings these days. but he deserves much credit for properly framing the questions/issues/problems that continue to define this era’s urbanism and architecture. I was just rereading his 1994 essay “The Generic City” from S M L XL

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Craig Purcell Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:23:07 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-33 Poor Leon, He freed us from the tyranny of modernism only to be confronted by cracks in damp walls, cold drafts, dark alleys & keeping up with the Jones's next door. Perhaps he should have consulted a feng shui expert if social harmony and good fortune are goals to be achieved. I have not been to Poundbury but have explore it through google earth and thought about its application to an actual project & tried to sell it -- the client wasn't interested... I like the use of walls at the lot line, irregular geometries, hidden alleys & pedestarian ways, distributed parking in small lots hidden from public view, intimate streetscape and scale of the place. It has a good density and it is laid out like a historic district. The social problems of small towns like juveniles vandalizing parks, pranks, human jealousies and the solving of the seven deadly sins cannot be solved by architecture, urban design or planning. Look at the animosities in well scaled Annapolis as an example of what happens when people (business, resident & transient) live in close mixed use proximity to each other -- Maybe it is better to retreat into the woods alone with your car pondering carbon sequestration. Poor Leon,

He freed us from the tyranny of modernism only to be confronted by cracks in damp walls, cold drafts, dark alleys & keeping up with the Jones’s next door. Perhaps he should have consulted a feng shui expert if social harmony and good fortune are goals to be achieved. I have not been to Poundbury but have explore it through google earth and thought about its application to an actual project & tried to sell it — the client wasn’t interested…

I like the use of walls at the lot line, irregular geometries, hidden alleys & pedestarian ways, distributed parking in small lots hidden from public view, intimate streetscape and scale of the place. It has a good density and it is laid out like a historic district.

The social problems of small towns like juveniles vandalizing parks, pranks, human jealousies and the solving of the seven deadly sins cannot be solved by architecture, urban design or planning. Look at the animosities in well scaled Annapolis as an example of what happens when people (business, resident & transient) live in close mixed use proximity to each other — Maybe it is better to retreat into the woods alone with your car pondering carbon sequestration.

]]> By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Fred Scharmen Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:03:44 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-32 Krier's Poundbury doesn't seem to be doing so well, according to a recent article in the Guardian: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/aug/17/prince-charles-dream-village-poundbury" rel="nofollow">link</a> Krier’s Poundbury doesn’t seem to be doing so well, according to a recent article in the Guardian: link

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Craig Purcell Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:47:04 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-31 Let's not forget Leon Krier... Let’s not forget Leon Krier…

]]> By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Fred Scharmen Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:19:41 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-27 I would recommend <a href="http://varnelis.net/" rel="nofollow">Kazys Varnelis</a> for his writing on infrastructure, networks, and complexity, <a href="http://www.panix.com/~keller/" rel="nofollow">Keller Easterling</a> for her work on globalization, ironic humor, and non-oppositional activism, and also <a href="http://www.wired.com/beyond_the_beyond/" rel="nofollow">Bruce Sterling</a> for his research on technology, pop culture, and general international weirdness. I would recommend Kazys Varnelis for his writing on infrastructure, networks, and complexity, Keller Easterling for her work on globalization, ironic humor, and non-oppositional activism, and also Bruce Sterling for his research on technology, pop culture, and general international weirdness.

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Fred Scharmen Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:03:44 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-32 Krier's Poundbury doesn't seem to be doing so well, according to a recent article in the Guardian: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/aug/17/prince-charles-dream-village-poundbury" rel="nofollow">link</a> Krier’s Poundbury doesn’t seem to be doing so well, according to a recent article in the Guardian: link

]]> Comments on: Who are the top urban thinkers? http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/ Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:14:30 -0700 hourly 1 By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Fred Scharmen Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:27:10 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-40 You're right, Craig, an article like this that's essentially full of anecdotes isn't really fair. To be informative, one would have to compare actual rates of petty crime and vandalism between similar communities, and ignore the resident's self reported perception. I also like alleys, and think people tend to be more afraid of them then they deserve. That said, I don't think copying the principles of traditional town planning wholesale without responding to contemporary needs (like parking) is going to get anyone on a list of innovative urban thinkers. That's just the equivalent, at a larger scale, of a styrofoam cornice. You’re right, Craig, an article like this that’s essentially full of anecdotes isn’t really fair. To be informative, one would have to compare actual rates of petty crime and vandalism between similar communities, and ignore the resident’s self reported perception. I also like alleys, and think people tend to be more afraid of them then they deserve.

That said, I don’t think copying the principles of traditional town planning wholesale without responding to contemporary needs (like parking) is going to get anyone on a list of innovative urban thinkers. That’s just the equivalent, at a larger scale, of a styrofoam cornice.

]]> By: eric leshinsky http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-34 eric leshinsky Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:24:56 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-34 koolhaas has got to be in the group. i feel like it's become a cliche to put him in any list. and his research and theoretical projects are totally overshadowed by his buildings these days. but he deserves much credit for properly framing the questions/issues/problems that continue to define this era's urbanism and architecture. I was just rereading his 1994 essay "The Generic City" from S M L XL koolhaas has got to be in the group. i feel like it’s become a cliche to put him in any list. and his research and theoretical projects are totally overshadowed by his buildings these days. but he deserves much credit for properly framing the questions/issues/problems that continue to define this era’s urbanism and architecture. I was just rereading his 1994 essay “The Generic City” from S M L XL

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Craig Purcell Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:23:07 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-33 Poor Leon, He freed us from the tyranny of modernism only to be confronted by cracks in damp walls, cold drafts, dark alleys & keeping up with the Jones's next door. Perhaps he should have consulted a feng shui expert if social harmony and good fortune are goals to be achieved. I have not been to Poundbury but have explore it through google earth and thought about its application to an actual project & tried to sell it -- the client wasn't interested... I like the use of walls at the lot line, irregular geometries, hidden alleys & pedestarian ways, distributed parking in small lots hidden from public view, intimate streetscape and scale of the place. It has a good density and it is laid out like a historic district. The social problems of small towns like juveniles vandalizing parks, pranks, human jealousies and the solving of the seven deadly sins cannot be solved by architecture, urban design or planning. Look at the animosities in well scaled Annapolis as an example of what happens when people (business, resident & transient) live in close mixed use proximity to each other -- Maybe it is better to retreat into the woods alone with your car pondering carbon sequestration. Poor Leon,

He freed us from the tyranny of modernism only to be confronted by cracks in damp walls, cold drafts, dark alleys & keeping up with the Jones’s next door. Perhaps he should have consulted a feng shui expert if social harmony and good fortune are goals to be achieved. I have not been to Poundbury but have explore it through google earth and thought about its application to an actual project & tried to sell it — the client wasn’t interested…

I like the use of walls at the lot line, irregular geometries, hidden alleys & pedestarian ways, distributed parking in small lots hidden from public view, intimate streetscape and scale of the place. It has a good density and it is laid out like a historic district.

The social problems of small towns like juveniles vandalizing parks, pranks, human jealousies and the solving of the seven deadly sins cannot be solved by architecture, urban design or planning. Look at the animosities in well scaled Annapolis as an example of what happens when people (business, resident & transient) live in close mixed use proximity to each other — Maybe it is better to retreat into the woods alone with your car pondering carbon sequestration.

]]> By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Fred Scharmen Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:03:44 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-32 Krier's Poundbury doesn't seem to be doing so well, according to a recent article in the Guardian: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/aug/17/prince-charles-dream-village-poundbury" rel="nofollow">link</a> Krier’s Poundbury doesn’t seem to be doing so well, according to a recent article in the Guardian: link

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Craig Purcell Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:47:04 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-31 Let's not forget Leon Krier... Let’s not forget Leon Krier…

]]> By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Fred Scharmen Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:19:41 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-27 I would recommend <a href="http://varnelis.net/" rel="nofollow">Kazys Varnelis</a> for his writing on infrastructure, networks, and complexity, <a href="http://www.panix.com/~keller/" rel="nofollow">Keller Easterling</a> for her work on globalization, ironic humor, and non-oppositional activism, and also <a href="http://www.wired.com/beyond_the_beyond/" rel="nofollow">Bruce Sterling</a> for his research on technology, pop culture, and general international weirdness. I would recommend Kazys Varnelis for his writing on infrastructure, networks, and complexity, Keller Easterling for her work on globalization, ironic humor, and non-oppositional activism, and also Bruce Sterling for his research on technology, pop culture, and general international weirdness.

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Craig Purcell Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:47:04 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-31 Let's not forget Leon Krier... Let’s not forget Leon Krier…

]]> Comments on: Who are the top urban thinkers? http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/ Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:14:30 -0700 hourly 1 By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Fred Scharmen Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:27:10 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-40 You're right, Craig, an article like this that's essentially full of anecdotes isn't really fair. To be informative, one would have to compare actual rates of petty crime and vandalism between similar communities, and ignore the resident's self reported perception. I also like alleys, and think people tend to be more afraid of them then they deserve. That said, I don't think copying the principles of traditional town planning wholesale without responding to contemporary needs (like parking) is going to get anyone on a list of innovative urban thinkers. That's just the equivalent, at a larger scale, of a styrofoam cornice. You’re right, Craig, an article like this that’s essentially full of anecdotes isn’t really fair. To be informative, one would have to compare actual rates of petty crime and vandalism between similar communities, and ignore the resident’s self reported perception. I also like alleys, and think people tend to be more afraid of them then they deserve.

That said, I don’t think copying the principles of traditional town planning wholesale without responding to contemporary needs (like parking) is going to get anyone on a list of innovative urban thinkers. That’s just the equivalent, at a larger scale, of a styrofoam cornice.

]]> By: eric leshinsky http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-34 eric leshinsky Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:24:56 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-34 koolhaas has got to be in the group. i feel like it's become a cliche to put him in any list. and his research and theoretical projects are totally overshadowed by his buildings these days. but he deserves much credit for properly framing the questions/issues/problems that continue to define this era's urbanism and architecture. I was just rereading his 1994 essay "The Generic City" from S M L XL koolhaas has got to be in the group. i feel like it’s become a cliche to put him in any list. and his research and theoretical projects are totally overshadowed by his buildings these days. but he deserves much credit for properly framing the questions/issues/problems that continue to define this era’s urbanism and architecture. I was just rereading his 1994 essay “The Generic City” from S M L XL

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Craig Purcell Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:23:07 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-33 Poor Leon, He freed us from the tyranny of modernism only to be confronted by cracks in damp walls, cold drafts, dark alleys & keeping up with the Jones's next door. Perhaps he should have consulted a feng shui expert if social harmony and good fortune are goals to be achieved. I have not been to Poundbury but have explore it through google earth and thought about its application to an actual project & tried to sell it -- the client wasn't interested... I like the use of walls at the lot line, irregular geometries, hidden alleys & pedestarian ways, distributed parking in small lots hidden from public view, intimate streetscape and scale of the place. It has a good density and it is laid out like a historic district. The social problems of small towns like juveniles vandalizing parks, pranks, human jealousies and the solving of the seven deadly sins cannot be solved by architecture, urban design or planning. Look at the animosities in well scaled Annapolis as an example of what happens when people (business, resident & transient) live in close mixed use proximity to each other -- Maybe it is better to retreat into the woods alone with your car pondering carbon sequestration. Poor Leon,

He freed us from the tyranny of modernism only to be confronted by cracks in damp walls, cold drafts, dark alleys & keeping up with the Jones’s next door. Perhaps he should have consulted a feng shui expert if social harmony and good fortune are goals to be achieved. I have not been to Poundbury but have explore it through google earth and thought about its application to an actual project & tried to sell it — the client wasn’t interested…

I like the use of walls at the lot line, irregular geometries, hidden alleys & pedestarian ways, distributed parking in small lots hidden from public view, intimate streetscape and scale of the place. It has a good density and it is laid out like a historic district.

The social problems of small towns like juveniles vandalizing parks, pranks, human jealousies and the solving of the seven deadly sins cannot be solved by architecture, urban design or planning. Look at the animosities in well scaled Annapolis as an example of what happens when people (business, resident & transient) live in close mixed use proximity to each other — Maybe it is better to retreat into the woods alone with your car pondering carbon sequestration.

]]> By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Fred Scharmen Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:03:44 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-32 Krier's Poundbury doesn't seem to be doing so well, according to a recent article in the Guardian: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/aug/17/prince-charles-dream-village-poundbury" rel="nofollow">link</a> Krier’s Poundbury doesn’t seem to be doing so well, according to a recent article in the Guardian: link

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Craig Purcell Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:47:04 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-31 Let's not forget Leon Krier... Let’s not forget Leon Krier…

]]> By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Fred Scharmen Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:19:41 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-27 I would recommend <a href="http://varnelis.net/" rel="nofollow">Kazys Varnelis</a> for his writing on infrastructure, networks, and complexity, <a href="http://www.panix.com/~keller/" rel="nofollow">Keller Easterling</a> for her work on globalization, ironic humor, and non-oppositional activism, and also <a href="http://www.wired.com/beyond_the_beyond/" rel="nofollow">Bruce Sterling</a> for his research on technology, pop culture, and general international weirdness. I would recommend Kazys Varnelis for his writing on infrastructure, networks, and complexity, Keller Easterling for her work on globalization, ironic humor, and non-oppositional activism, and also Bruce Sterling for his research on technology, pop culture, and general international weirdness.

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Fred Scharmen Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:19:41 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-27 I would recommend <a href="http://varnelis.net/" rel="nofollow">Kazys Varnelis</a> for his writing on infrastructure, networks, and complexity, <a href="http://www.panix.com/~keller/" rel="nofollow">Keller Easterling</a> for her work on globalization, ironic humor, and non-oppositional activism, and also <a href="http://www.wired.com/beyond_the_beyond/" rel="nofollow">Bruce Sterling</a> for his research on technology, pop culture, and general international weirdness. I would recommend Kazys Varnelis for his writing on infrastructure, networks, and complexity, Keller Easterling for her work on globalization, ironic humor, and non-oppositional activism, and also Bruce Sterling for his research on technology, pop culture, and general international weirdness.

]]> Comments on: Who are the top urban thinkers? http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/ Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:14:30 -0700 hourly 1 By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Fred Scharmen Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:27:10 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-40 You're right, Craig, an article like this that's essentially full of anecdotes isn't really fair. To be informative, one would have to compare actual rates of petty crime and vandalism between similar communities, and ignore the resident's self reported perception. I also like alleys, and think people tend to be more afraid of them then they deserve. That said, I don't think copying the principles of traditional town planning wholesale without responding to contemporary needs (like parking) is going to get anyone on a list of innovative urban thinkers. That's just the equivalent, at a larger scale, of a styrofoam cornice. You’re right, Craig, an article like this that’s essentially full of anecdotes isn’t really fair. To be informative, one would have to compare actual rates of petty crime and vandalism between similar communities, and ignore the resident’s self reported perception. I also like alleys, and think people tend to be more afraid of them then they deserve.

That said, I don’t think copying the principles of traditional town planning wholesale without responding to contemporary needs (like parking) is going to get anyone on a list of innovative urban thinkers. That’s just the equivalent, at a larger scale, of a styrofoam cornice.

]]> By: eric leshinsky http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-34 eric leshinsky Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:24:56 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-34 koolhaas has got to be in the group. i feel like it's become a cliche to put him in any list. and his research and theoretical projects are totally overshadowed by his buildings these days. but he deserves much credit for properly framing the questions/issues/problems that continue to define this era's urbanism and architecture. I was just rereading his 1994 essay "The Generic City" from S M L XL koolhaas has got to be in the group. i feel like it’s become a cliche to put him in any list. and his research and theoretical projects are totally overshadowed by his buildings these days. but he deserves much credit for properly framing the questions/issues/problems that continue to define this era’s urbanism and architecture. I was just rereading his 1994 essay “The Generic City” from S M L XL

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Craig Purcell Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:23:07 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-33 Poor Leon, He freed us from the tyranny of modernism only to be confronted by cracks in damp walls, cold drafts, dark alleys & keeping up with the Jones's next door. Perhaps he should have consulted a feng shui expert if social harmony and good fortune are goals to be achieved. I have not been to Poundbury but have explore it through google earth and thought about its application to an actual project & tried to sell it -- the client wasn't interested... I like the use of walls at the lot line, irregular geometries, hidden alleys & pedestarian ways, distributed parking in small lots hidden from public view, intimate streetscape and scale of the place. It has a good density and it is laid out like a historic district. The social problems of small towns like juveniles vandalizing parks, pranks, human jealousies and the solving of the seven deadly sins cannot be solved by architecture, urban design or planning. Look at the animosities in well scaled Annapolis as an example of what happens when people (business, resident & transient) live in close mixed use proximity to each other -- Maybe it is better to retreat into the woods alone with your car pondering carbon sequestration. Poor Leon,

He freed us from the tyranny of modernism only to be confronted by cracks in damp walls, cold drafts, dark alleys & keeping up with the Jones’s next door. Perhaps he should have consulted a feng shui expert if social harmony and good fortune are goals to be achieved. I have not been to Poundbury but have explore it through google earth and thought about its application to an actual project & tried to sell it — the client wasn’t interested…

I like the use of walls at the lot line, irregular geometries, hidden alleys & pedestarian ways, distributed parking in small lots hidden from public view, intimate streetscape and scale of the place. It has a good density and it is laid out like a historic district.

The social problems of small towns like juveniles vandalizing parks, pranks, human jealousies and the solving of the seven deadly sins cannot be solved by architecture, urban design or planning. Look at the animosities in well scaled Annapolis as an example of what happens when people (business, resident & transient) live in close mixed use proximity to each other — Maybe it is better to retreat into the woods alone with your car pondering carbon sequestration.

]]> By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Fred Scharmen Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:03:44 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-32 Krier's Poundbury doesn't seem to be doing so well, according to a recent article in the Guardian: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/aug/17/prince-charles-dream-village-poundbury" rel="nofollow">link</a> Krier’s Poundbury doesn’t seem to be doing so well, according to a recent article in the Guardian: link

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Craig Purcell Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:47:04 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-31 Let's not forget Leon Krier... Let’s not forget Leon Krier…

]]> By: Fred Scharmen http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Fred Scharmen Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:19:41 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-27 I would recommend <a href="http://varnelis.net/" rel="nofollow">Kazys Varnelis</a> for his writing on infrastructure, networks, and complexity, <a href="http://www.panix.com/~keller/" rel="nofollow">Keller Easterling</a> for her work on globalization, ironic humor, and non-oppositional activism, and also <a href="http://www.wired.com/beyond_the_beyond/" rel="nofollow">Bruce Sterling</a> for his research on technology, pop culture, and general international weirdness. I would recommend Kazys Varnelis for his writing on infrastructure, networks, and complexity, Keller Easterling for her work on globalization, ironic humor, and non-oppositional activism, and also Bruce Sterling for his research on technology, pop culture, and general international weirdness.

]]> By: Craig Purcell http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/2009/08/13/who-are-the-top-urban-thinkers/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Craig Purcell Fri, 14 Aug 2009 09:22:11 +0000 http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/?p=153#comment-21 Spiro Kostof, Gordon Cullen, Michael Sorkin & Charles Landry are good for starters. Lewis Mumford & Jane Jacobs may be the best of last century. Hopefully Baltimore will develop some new talent as an emerging creative class city with good fundamentals. Spiro Kostof, Gordon Cullen, Michael Sorkin & Charles Landry are good for starters. Lewis Mumford & Jane Jacobs may be the best of last century. Hopefully Baltimore will develop some new talent as an emerging creative class city with good fundamentals.

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