Archive for the ‘urbanism’ Category

October 05, 2011

Landmark Shmandmark

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet Today’s post is by contributing writer Ryan Glass: In August I wrote about “what is Phoenix’s landmark building”, and my questioning what it was that people would think of a snapshot-worthy sites in our fair city. The response that you guys gave was fantastic and particularly thoughtful. From agreeing about the Security Building to lauding the Luhr’s tower and even trying to buy my friendship by complimenting my favorite topic, Metro Lightrail, I enjoyed reading all your comments so much, that I actually decided to do something about it. Before I get there, though, do me a favor. Go…

October 04, 2011

Let’s Bring the Paris-Plage to Phoenix

by: Will Novak

Tweet Today’s post is by contributing writer Will Novak: Fred Kent, President of the Project for Public Spaces, has said that in his opinion the best public space in the world is an annual month long summer program along the Seine in Paris, the Paris-Plage (Paris Beach). For one month each summer the roadways near the Seine are closed down, covered in sand and turned into man made beaches full of programs, events and games. Every year millions of Parisians who are unable to leave the City for the summer enjoy the man made Riviera on the Seine. Paris’ Plage…

September 28, 2011

An Essay by Will Bruder: What Can We Aim For?

by: Will Bruder

Tweet This week I am posting Will Bruder’s excellent essay for the 98th Arizona Town Hall meeting, “Capitalizing on Arizona’s Arts and Culture”. I’ve posted the essay in 3 parts. In today’s post, which is the third and final part, Will gives us a 6-point plan on how to move forward in Arizona in ways that we can tap into our unique local resources and plug into the sustainability progress happening globally. Make sure to read Part I and Part II of this essay if you haven’t yet. If you’d like to read Will’s entire essay in one sitting, you…

September 26, 2011

An Essay by Will Bruder: Architecture – Defining Our Sense of Place

by: Will Bruder

Tweet This week I am posting Will Bruder’s excellent essay for the 98th Arizona Town Hall meeting, “Capitalizing on Arizona’s Arts and Culture”. I’ll be posting the essay in 3 parts. In today’s post, Will defines architecture and the urban fabric. How does Arizona’s unique architectural character add value to the lives of our residents/visitors and how can the urban fabric of its towns and cities help move our state forward in a distinctive and sustainable way? In this essay I will address these questions and suggest ways that we can protect and sustain our already unique heritage while embracing…

September 21, 2011

Valley of the Sunflowers – Enlivening an Empty Lot in Phoenix

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet It’s one thing to complain about the empty lots that plague our city, but it’s a very different thing to actually DO something about it. That’s why I’m so impressed by the A.R.T.S. (Adaptive Reuse of Temporary Space) initiative which aims to activate vacant lots. A.R.T.S. is a project that was spearheaded last April by the Roosevelt CDC and its visionary leaders Cindy Dach and Kenny Barrett. The latest installation of A.R.T.S. is the Valley of the Sunflowers, a field of sunflowers on a 2-acre vacant lot in Downtown Phoenix. Not only will this field be startlingly beautiful in…

September 19, 2011

3 Reasons Why Biking is Preferable instead of Just Doable in my New Neighborhood

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet As you may know, Paul and I moved to Red Mountain, which is just outside the Woodlea Historic Neighborhood, about three weeks ago. We used to live at 3 Palms, in the Avalon neighborhood, between Osborn and Thomas near 16th Street. When we first decided to buy Red Mountain, I knew we’d be a lot closer to my office – Lux Coffeebar. But I didn’t realize how close we’d be to other stuff that we like too. We have one car between the two of us and most days Paul takes it to work. So I have to navigate…

August 24, 2011

Brenda Sperduti on Discovering and Celebrating the Heart and Soul of District 5

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet Last week I had the pleasure of speaking with Brenda Sperduti, who is running for the District 5 council seat. We talked about some of the critical issues facing that district, which includes much of Maryvale, such as engaging the area’s large Hispanic population, what to do about the foreclosure crisis and changing the negative rap the west side gets. (A big thanks to Sean Sweat for making this interview possible.) Also, don’t forget to vote this coming Saturday, Monday and Tuesday!!! Blooming Rock: Can you tell us about your vision for West Phoenix? Brenda Sperduti: When it comes…

August 17, 2011

Venue Projects Hits it Out of the Ballpark with the Windsor/Churn Redevelopment

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet On a hot summer day I drove up to this purple building on 9th Avenue and Pierce looking for my beautician. Photo courtesy of Venue Projects. She had gotten her own place and was starting her own gig. She wasn’t in the purple building but she was in the cute little casita right next to it. When I got out of my car, I noticed all the really cool details that had been added to the original buildings, like corrugated metal planters and awnings and the rusted metal fencing. Plus, the color purple was, of course, hard to miss….

August 15, 2011

Phoenix: America’s Desert Metropolis

by: Will Novak

Tweet Today’s post is by contributing writer Will Novak. One of the most exciting things about being a Phoenician is being from a place that looks unlike any other major City in the United States. Very few large American cities are in deserts and only two, Phoenix and Tucson, reside in the world’s most beautiful desert, the Sonoran. Phoenix needs to do a better job embracing the desert and leveraging our unique climate to become America’s and the World’s foremost desert metropolis. Embracing Xeriscaping In Phoenix’s early days its Anglo residents were strangely embarrassed by the Desert and the Arizona…

August 10, 2011

Sensitive Siting vs. a Turd on a Lot

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet On my way between Red Mountain and 3 Palms, I drive on Indian School between 16th Street and 11th Avenue a lot. I’ve been watching as the gay bar Padlock (which admittedly was a horrendous building) was torn down and in it’s place a Panda Express is being erected. What strikes me about this Panda Express building, which I’m tempted to refer to as the Turd, is that it’s tiny compared to the huge site it’s on. This is similar to my complaint about the Circle K down the street that was constructed last year. A veritable alter to…