Archive for the ‘Urban planning’ Category
Four-Story Limit
I realized I neglected to quote Alexander’s actual design pattern round building height during Christopher Alexander Day, so here it is:
Where the phallacies have no name
…except, possibly “U2 Tower.” <Cringe>
It’s like the gods could tell I was looking for content and sent Pax Corey, prophet that he’s, along to proclaim the wonder attrocity that’s this planned Dublin development. Of course it’s not so much phallic as cheese-grater-ish, but regardless represents a huge departure (at least in this rendering) from Foster’s normally wonderful work. I mean, yes, his London Gherkin is also an elongated protrusion:
Light Pollution
The International Dark-Sky Association (warning: garish site design) defines light pollution as:
Any adverse effect of artificial light, including sky glow, glare, light trespass, light clutter, decreased visibility at night, and energy waste.
Let Malibu Burn
It’s on fire again today, and while I hope everyone got out safely, it seems like a good time to remember: The Case for Letting Malibu Burn.
Flashback of Wrongness
From the Bad Futurist Pantheon: The End of Tall Buildings
Not that they don’t make a convincing case, but if anything we’ve entered an accelerated period of tower construction since 9/11. Even in LA, home of the earth quake, we’re racing up as fast as we can. An example of the wonderful city of tomorrow, being brought to you today: the Staples Center expansion. Which completes our development cycle:
Suburban Racism Googling
Crazy shit from 2006 from my wife’s research into racism in LA housing:
I’m 34, married with 2 children and have accepted a new job in Los Angeles. I’d like to live in a White suburb, do you’ve any recommendations?
Great Urban Planning Explanations
The reason the Venice canals have a steep vertical rather than a gradual slope: ducks pooped on the slope, and “…who wants a slimy, defecated slope instead of a nice one you could moor your boat against.”
Pure Evil
Two firetrucks just roared down my street (Why? Well, where there’s trucks, there’s fire, as the saying goes, but no inferno is apparent), setting off half a dozen vehicle alarms, and seriously sapping my faith in the fundamental goodness of humanity. There ought to be a law…
An Unreasonably Attractive Candidate
Apparently all the cool children are running for President (Despite being an collegiate, nonhuman, and British respectively — not exactly a group that screams electable, or even “legally electable”), but I’m going to take a different tack and declare for National Zoning Czar. True, it doesn’t have the same aura of “President” — or exist (yet) — but if that Chicago anarchist gets elected, you can bet we’ll be on the express lane to becoming the United Soviet States and the position will open up, and then…
Begging: Not actually a mean thing that poor people do to rich people to annoy them
Sadly, today my hopes that public transit would be a panacea for anti-social behavior were, once again, dashed. PT: not a sufficient condition for people to develop enough affinity for their fellow man to avoid being mean to beggers.
Today, as I left the metro a woman was asking for money for food. Not uncommon. Less common: she was accompanied by her 5 year old (? — I find it impossible to tell the age of children. My observations can’t get past: small, disproportionate), who had very large eyes. Then: