Posts Tagged ‘kirby hoyt’

November 26, 2012

What is a “City?”

by: Kirby Hoyt

Tweet Today’s post is by contributing writer Kirby Hoyt: There are a number of people writing on this blog about cities, especially our city, Phoenix. But just how do they define the term “city?” What does it mean to them? How does their city live, function and on what systems? And let’s not forget about the term “urban.” What is their definition of urban? Many of these urban theorists would like to say that cities require a certain density to be urban, or a certain F.A.R. (floor-area-ratio) i.e. tall buildings, or even certain transportation systems. But is this the case?…

October 01, 2012

Twelve Degrees

by: Kirby Hoyt

Tweet Today’s post is a poem by contributing writer Kirby Hoyt: Summer burns the desert floor Heat escapes a bitumen covered landscape in the middle of the night As the urban heat island effect grips the Valley In fifty years our nights have grown hotter Twelve degrees hotter Air-conditioned boxes buzz constant through the night Just wait until October they say Sun shine is welcome here but Few trees stand to protect wandering souls A six inch curb is no relief from widened streets As automobiles exceed the speed limit hurrying to nowhere particular Endless pavement spanning miles Driving longer…

July 30, 2012

Does Phoenix have the Right Stuff for a World-Class Park?

by: Kirby Hoyt

Tweet Today’s post is by contributing writer Kirby Hoyt: Alright Phoenix, it’s time to find out what we’re made of. The call to improve Margaret T. Hance Park into a world-class amenity has sounded. It’s up to the citizens of this community to answer that call and show the rest of the world what this city is all about. And the challenge is substantial. World-class cities spend world-class amounts of money to construct their public spaces. In order to match what other cities have done, Phoenix will have to step up to the plate and prove their determination for this…

July 02, 2012

Test Drive your City

by: Kirby Hoyt

Tweet Today’s post is by contributing writer Kirby Hoyt: What if cities were construed as automobiles are? What would that look like? What would that be like? Currently, the design, production, marketing and sales of autos and homes, at least on the surface, seem fairly similar. Each offer new designs, finish options and utility packages, financing, etc. But if you scratch the surface, you find there are major differences. For instance, an automobile company will invest considerable resources into the research and development of their vehicles. Auto manufacturers are always looking for newer and better technologies that translate into a…

May 31, 2012

“Just Do It” Urbanism

by: Kirby Hoyt

Tweet Today’s post is by contributing writer Kirby Hoyt: Last week I was reading an article about the advertising executive who created the incomparable slogan for Nike: “Just Do It.” His revelation came by way of several events that converged and ultimately led to him thinking about Gary Gilmore’s last words before his execution “Let’s do this.” Now that slogan is etched into our collective conscience by way of multi-media advertising and for some, they have been words to live by. Where urban theorists propose methods of operation, agency, and aesthetics, practitioners worry about things like constructability, mobility, cost, and…

May 02, 2012

A Field Guide to Activating Place

by: Kirby Hoyt

Tweet Today’s post is by contributing writer Kirby Hoyt: A while back I was asked to present at the Phoenix Urban Research Lab (PURL) during the Phoenix Urban Design Week at an event called “PURL Jam” wherein 20 slides were to be shown each with a 20 second time limit. The topic was “Activating Space.” After procrastinating for weeks as I usually do, I finally came upon an idea I thought worthy of 400 seconds of the audiences’ time. The concept was based on one of my favorite contemporary artists, Mark Dion. I’d seen one of his pieces a few…

March 19, 2012

Urban Appropriation through Art

by: Kirby Hoyt

Tweet Today’s post is by Kirby Hoyt: Let’s face facts, cities are incomplete. They are never done. They’re either in a state of expansion, decline or repair. But they’re never complete. Phoenix is still developmentally infantile. At least you’d think that by studying the figure/ground relationship within its urban core. With all the recent discussions about “vacant” land, empty lots, and the like, you’d think Phoenix was some sort of ruin, a former urban battleground, with the remnants of the buildings swept away. One problem with our mass of urban lacuna is the deadness they promote. Reminiscent of larger urban…

October 18, 2011

Win 2 Tickets to the 2011 Grand Avenue ReDapt Tours!

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet I am a big fan of Grand Avenue, it’s biggest proponent – Beatrice Moore, and all the artists and small businesses that choose to be on this great, mysterious, sometimes sketchy, yet always fascinating and fun diagonal avenue of Phoenix. What gives Grand Avenue it’s edge is that it’s hub for talented artists, architects, crafts people, and a number of other unique and funky small businesses AND it’s a hub for homeless people, up to no good teenagers and other people with questionable intentions. So, it’s a mix. But don’t be scared off by the dark side of Grand,…