What Landscape Architects and Urban Designers Can Learn About Public Space From Cuba
04.08.2019
The lessons seem elemental, but are often ignored in our country.
The lessons seem elemental, but are often ignored in our country.
public space
The Genius, Heart and Humility of Indian Architect B.V. Doshi
05.07.2018
A remarkable 70 year career focused on education and service to the community.
A remarkable 70 year career focused on education and service to the community.
Why Christopher Hawthorne Left the LA Times For a Job at City Hall
03.20.2018
A talk with the city’s new Chief Design Officer
A talk with the city’s new Chief Design Officer
How Public Space Can Build Community and Rescue Democracy
03.06.2018
It’s increasingly under attack but more important than ever.
It’s increasingly under attack but more important than ever.
A Seattleite Reflects on the City in the Age of Amazon
02.27.2018
A cautionary tale from an eyewitness of Jeff Bezos’s great urban invasion.
A cautionary tale from an eyewitness of Jeff Bezos’s great urban invasion.
Why the Tuileries in Paris are the Perfect Urban Landscape
02.07.2018
The Grand Couvert is sublime public space.
The Grand Couvert is sublime public space.
The Gehl Institute’s Toolkit for the Creation of Great Urban Spaces
12.05.2017
Inspired by the work of Jan Gehl, the group publishes a set of tools for planners, designers, city officials and community activists.
Inspired by the work of Jan Gehl, the group publishes a set of tools for planners, designers, city officials and community activists.
The Work of Architecture in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction
08.02.2017
Some thoughts on Walter Benjamin, sprawl watching in the desert, and the primacy of the land.
Some thoughts on Walter Benjamin, sprawl watching in the desert, and the primacy of the land.
My Favorite Street: Rue Saint-Denis, Paris
07.24.2017
A practical and poetic guide to the city’s oldest and perhaps greatest street.
A practical and poetic guide to the city’s oldest and perhaps greatest street.
The Common Edge Podcast: Justin Davidson and the Ever Evolving City
06.27.2017
The architecture critic of New York Magazine talks about his new book and the nature of urban change.
The architecture critic of New York Magazine talks about his new book and the nature of urban change.
What We Can (and Can’t) Learn from Copenhagen
06.26.2017
The Danish capital offers lessons for American cities, but they’re not all about design.
The Danish capital offers lessons for American cities, but they’re not all about design.
How Photography Profoundly Reshaped Our Ideas About Cities
05.29.2017
The medium’s influence on urban life was nearly as impactful as the automobile.
The medium’s influence on urban life was nearly as impactful as the automobile.
Who Will Own the Smart City?
05.25.2017
The recent rollout New York City’s LinkNYC raises some important questions about our digital future.
The recent rollout New York City’s LinkNYC raises some important questions about our digital future.
Mark Pendergrast on the Future of Atlanta, the BeltLine and Alternatives to Urban Sprawl
05.15.2017
His new book, City on the Verge, looks at the city’s attempt to refashion itself for the 21st century.
His new book, City on the Verge, looks at the city’s attempt to refashion itself for the 21st century.
The Magic of Indian Urbanism
05.03.2017
It is an intense combination of hyper-density, chaos, and human ingenuity.
It is an intense combination of hyper-density, chaos, and human ingenuity.
What Jane Jacobs and the Founders of the High Line Have in Common
04.17.2017
The new documentary reminds us about the importance of local input and activism.
The new documentary reminds us about the importance of local input and activism.
Who Owns the View?
12.15.2016
Looking at 432 Park Avenue, while jogging around the reservoir in Central Park.
Looking at 432 Park Avenue, while jogging around the reservoir in Central Park.
Learning from Stockholm’s Eco-City of the Future
11.29.2016
It’s a model for both sustainable development and urbane living.
It’s a model for both sustainable development and urbane living.
The Ford Foundation’s Darren Walker on Renovating a Landmark
10.11.2016
A lively conversation with the president on the foundation’s plans for its architectural gem.
A lively conversation with the president on the foundation’s plans for its architectural gem.
Swimming in the Driving Lane: Sao Paulo Takes Over an Urban Highway
09.19.2016
At night and on Sundays and holidays, this Brazilian city turns a roaring overpass into a people’s park.
At night and on Sundays and holidays, this Brazilian city turns a roaring overpass into a people’s park.
Intersections: Lessons in Street Life in Music and Dance
07.28.2016
In New Orleans, spontaneous eruptions of spectacle and joy are a form of public theater.
In New Orleans, spontaneous eruptions of spectacle and joy are a form of public theater.
A Young Architect’s First Meeting with Irate Citizens
07.25.2016
Community meetings: they’re the rite of passage every architect must endure.
Community meetings: they’re the rite of passage every architect must endure.
Michael Kimmelman on the Challenges – and Opportunities – Facing New York
07.20.2016
The architecture critic of the New York Times on tall buildings, the gentrification of his old neighborhood, and the need for a 21st century Penn Station.
The architecture critic of the New York Times on tall buildings, the gentrification of his old neighborhood, and the need for a 21st century Penn Station.
Michael Kimmelman on Aravena, the Pritzker, and the Opportunities for Architects to Reshape the World
07.18.2016
The first of a two part interview with the architecture critic of the New York Times.
The first of a two part interview with the architecture critic of the New York Times.
Hamburg Creates a Vibrant Neighborhood by Creating Spaces for People
07.14.2016
A lively mixed use district that when completed will be home to 12,000 residents and almost 40,000 office workers.
A lively mixed use district that when completed will be home to 12,000 residents and almost 40,000 office workers.
Watching the George Lucas Fiasco from the Cheap Seats
06.28.2016
In the face of considerable opposition, a relentless civic organization, a pesky lawsuit, and a sympathetic judge, the legendary filmmaker has decided to pull his Museum of Narrative Art out of Chicago.
In the face of considerable opposition, a relentless civic organization, a pesky lawsuit, and a sympathetic judge, the legendary filmmaker has decided to pull his Museum of Narrative Art out of Chicago.
Why City Planners Love Portland
06.02.2016
The hipster capital of the world is a poster child for urban geeks everywhere–and for good reason. It’s an urban design success story.
The hipster capital of the world is a poster child for urban geeks everywhere–and for good reason. It’s an urban design success story.
Jan Gehl on Why Tall Buildings Aren’t Necessarily Bad for Street Life
05.05.2016
The great urbanist has a nuanced take on the many lessons of Jane Jacobs.
The great urbanist has a nuanced take on the many lessons of Jane Jacobs.
Why Mexican Squares May Be the Best Public Spaces in the World
04.28.2016
It’s that uniquely human combination of bustling activity and DIY-urbanism.
It’s that uniquely human combination of bustling activity and DIY-urbanism.
Can the Wired City Also Be the Equitable One?
03.23.2016
Making the city fair, when all is digitally optimized.
Making the city fair, when all is digitally optimized.
Will a Modernized Cuba Lose Its Soul?
03.21.2016
A Letter from Havana on the unique DIY-required design culture there.
A Letter from Havana on the unique DIY-required design culture there.
Sprinting to the Past
03.14.2016
Why the call to replicate the old Penn Station is an idea born of fear.
Why the call to replicate the old Penn Station is an idea born of fear.
The Principles of Ethical Redevelopment
03.10.2016
Artist Theaster Gates and the University of Chicago’s Place Lab look for equitable alternatives to gentrification.
Artist Theaster Gates and the University of Chicago’s Place Lab look for equitable alternatives to gentrification.
Bird’s Eye View of Manila
03.08.2016
Nothing lays out the geography of a place more starkly and dramatically as the elevated view.
Nothing lays out the geography of a place more starkly and dramatically as the elevated view.
My Favorite Street: Magazine Street, New Orleans
03.03.2016
The experience of walking on this great street is remarkably pleasant, and for good reason: it’s designed for people.
The experience of walking on this great street is remarkably pleasant, and for good reason: it’s designed for people.
Who Designs Public Space?
02.17.2016
What does an urban designer do on his day off, when he’s halfway around the world? If he’s in Rabat, Morocco—as Dennis Pieprz was two years ago—he does what he’s hardwired to do: walk the city. The experience is exhilarating and humbling.
What does an urban designer do on his day off, when he’s halfway around the world? If he’s in Rabat, Morocco—as Dennis Pieprz was two years ago—he does what he’s hardwired to do: walk the city. The experience is exhilarating and humbling.
Donate to CommonEdge.org, a Not-For-Profit website dedicated to reconnecting architecture and design to the public.