A Proposed “Iconic” Tower in San Jose is a Monument to Lousy Urbanism
05.14.2019
Sometimes civic ambition should aim lower.
Sometimes civic ambition should aim lower.
urbanism
Paul Goldberger on Ballpark: Baseball in the American City
05.12.2019
A conversation with the Pulitzer Prize–winning architecture critic about his new book on baseball stadiums.
A conversation with the Pulitzer Prize–winning architecture critic about his new book on baseball stadiums.
Believing Is Seeing: The Lost Urban Art of Looking Closely
04.22.2019
A new book by photographer Stanley Greenberg takes a close, almost forensic look at New York City.
A new book by photographer Stanley Greenberg takes a close, almost forensic look at New York City.
How Sectarian Conflicts Permanently Alter the Psychogeography of African Cities
04.15.2019
The Nigerian city of Jos is textbook case in fear and division.
The Nigerian city of Jos is textbook case in fear and division.
The Bizarre and Confounding Influence of Dubai on Africa’s Emerging Cities
02.05.2019
Across the continent, these new developments go by different names, but all are mimicries of Dubai.
Across the continent, these new developments go by different names, but all are mimicries of Dubai.
Was Modernism Really International? A New History Says No
11.14.2018
A review of Making Dystopia, a controversial book by James Stevens Curl.
A review of Making Dystopia, a controversial book by James Stevens Curl.
Urbanization, the African Child, and the Dying Culture of Play
07.08.2018
As the continent develops, places to play disappear.
As the continent develops, places to play disappear.
Reconsidering Paradise: How Honolulu Became a Poster Child for American Autocentric Urbanism
05.09.2018
If you’re going to pave over paradise, at least do it well.
If you’re going to pave over paradise, at least do it well.
Architecture, Aesthetic Moralism, and the Crisis of Urban Housing
04.17.2018
There is no architectural style that is Inherently “right” or “moral.”
There is no architectural style that is Inherently “right” or “moral.”
Why the Best Response to the Grenfell Tower Fire Isn’t a Memorial
04.09.2018
How we can learn from tragedy and create solutions to our problems.
How we can learn from tragedy and create solutions to our problems.
The Problem with Architectural Education in Africa is Rooted in Cultural Imperialism
04.03.2018
It’s time for a curriculum based on local cultures.
It’s time for a curriculum based on local cultures.
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 Tale of Two Cities: Tourism and Imperialism in Sri Lanka
02.28.2018
Are authentic places even possible today?
Are authentic places even possible today?
Inga Saffron on Philadelphia’s Revival and Why Amazon Might Be Good For the City
02.15.2018
A lively conversation with the architecture critic of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
A lively conversation with the architecture critic of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
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.
John King on San Francisco, Oakland, and the Challenge of Affordable Housing
01.18.2018
A conversation with the urban design critic for the San Francisco Chronicle.
A conversation with the urban design critic for the San Francisco Chronicle.
A Global Vision for the New Urban Library
01.16.2018
Local libraries need to be flexible enough to serve multiple functions.
Local libraries need to be flexible enough to serve multiple functions.
Cannabis, Urbanism and Storefront Ethics
01.03.2018
If pot stores are opposed on moral grounds, what about other legal but dubious establishments?
If pot stores are opposed on moral grounds, what about other legal but dubious establishments?
Africa’s Undeclared War on the Disabled
12.19.2017
Its cities are a deathtrap for anyone in a wheelchair or otherwise physically challenged.
Its cities are a deathtrap for anyone in a wheelchair or otherwise physically challenged.
Do Gated Retirement Communities Have Anything to Teach Us About Urbanism?
12.18.2017
Four days in The Villages in Florida has the author longing for a bit of messiness.
Four days in The Villages in Florida has the author longing for a bit of messiness.
The Tax Reform Proposals in Congress Would Cripple Historic Preservation and Hurt Our Cities
12.06.2017
Write your elected officials and tell them to save the Historic Tax Credits.
Write your elected officials and tell them to save the Historic Tax Credits.
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.
How Winner-Take-All Capitalism Undermines the Real Value of Architecture
12.04.2017
The power structures of law and money dictate its ability to serve the greater good.
The power structures of law and money dictate its ability to serve the greater good.
The Politics of Architecture Are Not a Matter of Taste
11.13.2017
Why economics always supersede aesthetics
Why economics always supersede aesthetics
Churches, City Making, and the Sacking of Tbilisi by Global Architecture
11.09.2017
Walking the Old Town and pondering the church’s role in the rise of the city.
Walking the Old Town and pondering the church’s role in the rise of the city.
The Greenwich Village Apartments Created by Jane Jacobs Are Threatened With Demolition
11.07.2017
The story of how a Jacobs-led community group overcome official opposition to create an alternative to urban renewal.
The story of how a Jacobs-led community group overcome official opposition to create an alternative to urban renewal.
Architecture Critic Mark Lamster on Why He Calls Dallas the “Paradox City”
10.16.2017
A talk with the architecture critic of the Dallas Morning News.
A talk with the architecture critic of the Dallas Morning News.
Looking Desperately for Urbanism in Shanghai’s Pudong District
10.08.2017
Why one of the most intense neighborhoods in the world feels so alien and anti-urban.
Why one of the most intense neighborhoods in the world feels so alien and anti-urban.
Valparaiso, Chile: A Gritty Port City That’s Bustling and Livable
09.27.2017
A photo essay on the waterfront neighborhoods there.
A photo essay on the waterfront neighborhoods there.
Letter From Abuja: The Fading Sheen of Nigeria’s Capital City
08.15.2017
Originally planned to replace Lagos, the new city now has many of the problems associated with the old one.
Originally planned to replace Lagos, the new city now has many of the problems associated with the old one.
New Orleans’ Recent Flood Has Officials Asking All of the Wrong Questions
08.10.2017
It’s 20th century infrastructure and administration facing a 21st century problem.
It’s 20th century infrastructure and administration facing a 21st century problem.
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.
What the NRA is Really Doing When It Attacks “Elitist” Architecture
07.10.2017
It’s not interested in architecture, it’s interested in guns.
It’s not interested in architecture, it’s interested in guns.
Requiem for a Thoroughly Nondescript Block on the Upper East Side
07.04.2017
Some thoughts on the impending demolition of some beloved neighborhood landmarks.
Some thoughts on the impending demolition of some beloved neighborhood landmarks.
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.
Why Mixed-Income Communities Are Essential for the Future of African Cities
06.19.2017
The current model of economic and physical separation is not socially sustainable.
The current model of economic and physical separation is not socially sustainable.
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.
Tale of Two Cities: Unravelling the Brutal Backstory Behind Africa’s Emerging Megacities
05.18.2017
These huge new developments are being preceded by a ruthless campaign of forced evictions.
These huge new developments are being preceded by a ruthless campaign of forced evictions.
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.
Mayor Anne Hidalgo and the Politics of Public Space in Paris
05.09.2017
The campaign to transform the City of Lights into a pedestrian paradise.
The campaign to transform the City of Lights into a pedestrian paradise.
Why Can’t We Create Brand New Walkable Communities?
05.08.2017
New books by Philip Langdon and Richard Florida underscore the changes taking place in our cities.
New books by Philip Langdon and Richard Florida underscore the changes taking place in our cities.
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.
Understanding the Science and Psychology Behind Buildings
05.01.2017
For architecture, knowledge is good, but storytelling is even better.
For architecture, knowledge is good, but storytelling is even better.
The Common Edge Podcast: Richard Florida and The New Urban Crisis
04.25.2017
The urbanist talks about his new book, spatial inequality, urban sorting, and the daunting task of solving these problems in the age of Trump.
The urbanist talks about his new book, spatial inequality, urban sorting, and the daunting task of solving these problems in the age of Trump.
Donate to CommonEdge.org, a Not-For-Profit website dedicated to reconnecting architecture and design to the public.