Basic urbanism

[Mark Miller]

This was posted on a listserv that I am a member of. You can agree with him, disagree with him or just dismiss him, but his message is basic and easy to understand in regards to urbanism. Particularly the first half of this lecture which is about creating public space. I happen to agree with just about everything JHK says.

Anyone interested in understanding the basic tenants of why American urbanism has, for the most part failed, can get a beginning understanding from this.

He is passionate, profane and humorous.

To create places that are meaningful and places of quality and character depend entirely on the ability to define space with buildings and employ architectural vocabulary that sets patterns that inform us of who we are, where we have come from and where we are going. The public realm is the physical manifestation of the common good.

In James Howard Kunstler's view, public spaces should be inspired centers of civic life -- the physical manifestation of the common good. Instead, he argues, what we have in America is a nation of places not worth caring about.

This is the link

If that doesn't work try this...

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/121

[Montague]

Great lecture. Thanks.

You can find his blog here:

www.kunsler.com

Not for the feint of heart, though.

[Veloise]

...the basic tenants ...