urbanism

urbanism

A place to talk about urban design, transit, and all things cities

mia 水明 pfp

Example of how simple strategy in urban design can exponentially increase comfort in daily life The Neve Zine pattern arranges 4 lots with homes at outer corners, leaving the center open for green space. This layout increases pedestrian shade, solar access, and airflow, passively cooling streets. Garages and fences break setback lines, creating staggered buildings and integrated plantings. Such a simple strategy for cooler, more walkable neighborhoods

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Trams are low-key peak urbanism

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mia 水明 pfp

Gentrification is not inevitable, actually. wealthier classes moving into a neighborhood, causing rent and property prices to go up and pushing out lower-income residents—doesn't happen on its own. It happens because city gov and businesses make choices, like giving tax breaks to developers or investing in certain areas, that encourage this change. cities could make different choices, like protecting affordable housing, to stop people from being forced out of their homes. It’s also a myth that gentrification is needed for improvements like better schools. Displaced communities have been asking for these resources for YEARS but are ignored because corporate interests and development were prioritized over their needs

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True https://x.com/kaaaaaabir/status/1830267367924118014?s=46

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Mark Fishman pfp

City streets should be designed to prioritize modes of transportation that move people as efficiently as possible Pedestrians > buses > bikes & scooters > cars

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Chic pfp

Important points to consider with regard to environment, economy and equity. https://www.bluezones.com/2024/08/why-sustainable-cities-of-the-future-need-more-than-parks-cafes-and-a-riverwalk/?mc_cid=6583f1996d&mc_eid=5ff7d577c6

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Cars are a prisoner's dilemma Getting a larger one makes you slightly safer, but it's outweighed by the additional fatality rate of others https://x.com/rshotton/status/1830202565163725039

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Mark Fishman pfp

Tiny slip of paper on the sidewalk in Brooklyn I love the work but also think the Parks Department should hire a Gen Z marketing intern

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Mark Fishman pfp

Drive-thru coffee should be illegal https://x.com/rebekahentralgo/status/1828454472462610674?s=46

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mia 水明 pfp

My masters thesis was about surveillance of public space, so I’m constantly thinking about the politics of watching and being watched. Especially thinking about issues like gentrification and the mass influx of home security tech/smart doorbells (Amazon ring) and vigilante watch groups like Nextdoor, where “neighborhoods are being populated by “suspects” and interactions are infected with mistrust https://reallifemag.com/roving-eyes/

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mia 水明 pfp

trees and the shade they provide are the gathering spaces https://is.gd/FTpWlL

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mia 水明 pfp

“Without having to demolish any of the buildings we have made a place out of what was a tragic cluster of sprawl. First we have to remove everything that isn't a building and leave it as open space, the foundation for a place. Second, we draw a boundary around the buildings. Third, we reconnect the roads. Fourth, we add the parking blocks that the stores need to attract customers. And finally we spruce the place up with trees and other street furniture.” This is the target parking lot in Cupertino, CA. http://emergenturbanism.com/2009/04/04/geometry-nowhere/

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I love this fabulous hedge

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Is there a single city in North America or Europe that not just preserves, but actively replaces asphalt roads with cobblestone ones?

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We don’t need self-driving cars. We need self-driving buses that replace cars. But since we will have self-driving cars, those can become opportunities for third space activation. Imagine having a bodega inside your Uber where you could grab lunch and shop for essentials while you ride home from work.

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