Despite a recent growth in new digital signs, the sky is still visible in D.C.’s Chinatown neighborhood—for now. Find out just how many pedestrians it takes to entice advertisers to install huge talking video billboards, and where a California company hopes to add even billboards, sidewalk signs, and temporary event banners.
Urban Recycling the Capitalist Way
Fueled by record high prices, thieves from Chevy Chase, Maryland to Mumbai, India are causing headaches for authorities by stealing copper wires, aluminum bleachers, and iron manhole covers. Meanwhile, in Detroit, the problem of metal theft has driven energy company executives to confront directly those who would cut down copper wiring to sell at a profit. The trend could transform our cities, and also perhaps our architecture.
Reforming the Presidential Primary System
The frantic jockeying between states to secure early dates for presidential primaries and caucuses has fueled interest in plans reform the entire primary system. In this post I review the major proposals and describe why I think an “interregional” plan developed by a Michigan congressman holds the most promise.
Counting Metro’s Riders
The Smartphone Refined: Palm’s Centro
Sick of reading about urbanism here? You’re in luck. I recently upgraded from an ancient Treo 650 cell phone to the slick new Palm Centro. Find out what refinements it offers over the Treo phones, what I think the only drawbacks are, and why no matter what Steve Jobs hopes I’m not switching to an iPhone anytime soon.
The Relevance and Irrelevance of Richard Sennett
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?
Does Washington Need a Planning Commission?
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.