The Goodspeed Update

If a contemporary economist views the city as “an absence of distance between people and firms,” Richard Sennett thinks the contrasts and conflict cities produce inspire innovation and drive their economies. Unfortunately, for too long urban planners have been stifling such conflict through their idealistic plans and heavy-handed regulations. But just what would it look like to create an “architecture of justice” that enriches urban life and convinces urban residents to live with less? And what are planners to do without their beloved regulations?

D.C. lacks a central body to review new construction and oversee the implementation of a city plan. Does it need one? If not, exactly who’s overseeing the planning anyhow?

Read about the alphabet soup reviewing new buildings in Washington, and two opposing viewpoints about whether the city needs a dedicated planning commission.

Where should a proposed rail link between Metro’s suburban Maryland spokes cross the University of Maryland campus? A debate between top administrators and students is brewing on campus about whether the Purple Line should stop at the student union or a quarter of a mile to the north. At issue: the meaning of the campus master plan, pedestrian safety, and perhaps an antiquated “aggie” mentality that placed the College Park Metro station over a mile from campus.

Who is this man? The declining intellectual influence of Scottish thinker Patrick Geddes is one of the reasons I cite to explain the declining interest in regional studies and planning among academics in my latest post for Planetizen.

As noted by a visitor in a recent comment, at long last a fully equipped temporary Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library has opened at 945 Rhode Island Avenue next to the Shaw Junior High School.
The grand opening is next Wednesday, November 14th from 4 to 5:30 p.m., to be followed by a “Hopes and Dreams” meeting […]