Letter From Los Angeles: Aftermath Musings
02.11.2025
Fear and loathing in the burned-out communities of Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Altadena.
Fear and loathing in the burned-out communities of Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Altadena.
urban design
Reclaiming Urbanism After the L.A. Fires
02.04.2025
The city should reconsider the single-use land patterns of Pacific Palisades and Altadena and enact zoning reforms.
The city should reconsider the single-use land patterns of Pacific Palisades and Altadena and enact zoning reforms.
L.A.’s Cultural Crescent and the Land That Draws People to It
01.22.2025
The City of Angels is that rare metropolis where landscape shapes ways of being.
The City of Angels is that rare metropolis where landscape shapes ways of being.
Letter From Malibu: Do We Stay or Do We Go?
01.20.2025
The recent conflagration threatens to permanently alter a rare example of California livability.
The recent conflagration threatens to permanently alter a rare example of California livability.
Unlocking the Mysteries of Zoning
01.13.2025
Sara Bronin’s new book, Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World, is a deep, accessible dive into the prosaic realms of urban planning.
Sara Bronin’s new book, Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World, is a deep, accessible dive into the prosaic realms of urban planning.
On the Value of Miniatures and Scale Models
12.18.2024
Thinking small can help us answer the challenges of our time.
Thinking small can help us answer the challenges of our time.
Will Mayor Eric Adams’ “City of Yes” Be a City for All?
12.16.2024
New York’s massive zoning overhaul has passed. What now?
New York’s massive zoning overhaul has passed. What now?
Inga Saffron on the Philadelphia 76ers’ Push for a New Downtown Arena
12.11.2024
A talk with the Pulitzer Prize winning architecture critic of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
A talk with the Pulitzer Prize winning architecture critic of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Telling the Essential Stories of Everyday Places
12.03.2024
A talk with Gabrielle Bendiner-Viani, author of The Cities We Need.
A talk with Gabrielle Bendiner-Viani, author of The Cities We Need.
In Marseille’s Cours Julien, Street Art Creates Dynamic Context
11.19.2024
Submitting to this area’s urban rhythm reveals the power of public art to define a place.
Submitting to this area’s urban rhythm reveals the power of public art to define a place.
Should NYC’s Housing Authority Demolish Public Housing in Manhattan?
11.12.2024
Plans for a phased demolition and rebuilding of the Fulton and Chelsea-Elliott Houses should be viewed with skepticism.
Plans for a phased demolition and rebuilding of the Fulton and Chelsea-Elliott Houses should be viewed with skepticism.
Delays Undermine Promises of Affordable Housing in Brooklyn
11.04.2024
How New York’s rising Area Median Income dashed hopes for the Atlantic Yards megaproject.
How New York’s rising Area Median Income dashed hopes for the Atlantic Yards megaproject.
I’m A New Yorker, Not a NIMBY
09.24.2024
Most New Yorkers care deeply about their great city and believe development shouldn’t be top-down and hidden from public scrutiny.
Most New Yorkers care deeply about their great city and believe development shouldn’t be top-down and hidden from public scrutiny.
What Makes a City Resilient?
09.23.2024
A talk with Sam Carter, a founding principal at the Resilient Cities Catalyst.
A talk with Sam Carter, a founding principal at the Resilient Cities Catalyst.
NYC’s ‘City of Yes’ Proposal Is a Free Pass for Big Real Estate
09.10.2024
It won’t create affordable housing, but instead lead to continued gentrification and displacement.
It won’t create affordable housing, but instead lead to continued gentrification and displacement.
Contemporary Architecture and the Modern City
08.27.2024
Americans don’t like modern buildings because they don’t like the modern city.
Americans don’t like modern buildings because they don’t like the modern city.
Consuming Provence: The Gentler Footprint of French Sprawl
08.12.2024
An expat goes shopping in the European burbs.
An expat goes shopping in the European burbs.
The Clever Trick for Living in 350 Square Feet
08.06.2024
The solution, surprisingly, lies beyond the walls of our home.
The solution, surprisingly, lies beyond the walls of our home.
Michael Van Valkenburgh on the Making of Brooklyn Bridge Park
07.10.2024
The noted landscape architect talks about one of the great 21st century urban parks.
The noted landscape architect talks about one of the great 21st century urban parks.
It’s Time to Blur the Boundaries Between Town and Gown
06.04.2024
University campus planning should look outward to the surrounding city.
University campus planning should look outward to the surrounding city.
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