The Black Urbanist

creative placemaking, Family and Place, Greensboro, Politics of Place, What is urban planning? May 24, 2013

Reconciling Design and Social Justice in the Place

Design is not just for the developer. Social justice is not just for the downtrodden. Place needs both to be.

creative placemaking, downtown, Greensboro, Politics of Place May 3, 2013

Reflections on Downtown Greensboro, As The Community Addresses Its Future

ShareOn Tuesday April 30, I spent a good bit of time thinking about downtown with a bunch of dignitaries and fellow young leaders. Our civic foundations brought back Richard Flierl of Cooper Carry, The Center for Connective Architecture, who helped the city conduct a downtown plan in 2002. At lunchtime, 100 of my fellow young [...]

Cities, Durham, Family and Place, Greensboro, Politics of Place April 30, 2013

Coming Back to the Streets, Coming Back to Action

Doing my part to create better blocks in my two hometowns.

Boston, Cities, Family and Place April 16, 2013

The City and Tragedy

A reflection on the pains of places.

Cities, Politics of Place, tips for urbanist living, Transportation, What is urban planning? March 12, 2013

The Case for a Lazy Urbanism

Urbanism should be second nature, not bound by jargon or complex activities.

Cities, Family and Place, Issues and Ideas, Politics of Place, Retail, What is urban planning? January 15, 2013

Mixed-Use Ain’t Always Pretty

Let’s not fall into the trap that mixed-use is only a building code or type.

Alexandria, Cities, Family and Place, Greensboro, Issues and Ideas, Politics of Place, What is urban planning? December 8, 2012

What If The City Doesn’t Want You Anymore?

Cities are experiencing a renaissance in the global conversation. However, one must not forget the sins of cities past and present. What can we do to make sure the city allows all to enjoy and prosper in its borders?

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Family and Place, Food, Greensboro, Issues and Ideas May 7, 2013

Statement of Support for the Renaissance Co-Op

ShareThis evening (May 7, 2013) the Greensboro City Council will vote on the future of their stake of ownership of the Bessemer shopping center and in turn, the Renaissance Co-Op. In case I do not get a chance to read this statement at tonight’s meeting. I am publishing it here. Members of Council and Members [...]

Reconciling Education Reform and New Urbanism

ShareI once read an article in the News and Observer that illustrates the true effect of the modern neighborhood school. In this article, schools in wealthy neighborhoods had established private foundations, some that were able to pay teachers outside of state funding. This is on top of the money raised by their Parent Teacher Associations [...]

The Creative Class: Off the Record and On the Money

How the “Creative Class” Is Not Really About the Concerns of Artists

Everything I Learned about Place, I Learned on Campus

Everyone, at least the college educated, should be able to appreciate the proximity and other signs of good place afforded by campus life.

Words Matter: Why Development Types Do Not Equal Ethnic Groups

ShareDuring a conversation at the recent Streetsblog training in Kansas City, I was asked about the name of this site. [...]

Atlanta February 12, 2013

Transit + Roof + Food + Education + Job + Proximity + Sense of Place = Good Life. A Broken Equation?

It shoudln’t be, but sadly, in many cities, it is.

Cities January 27, 2013

Guest Post: Yes, A City Can and Should Have It All.

Graham Sheridan, masters candidate in public administration at Brown University, takes my civic-infereiorty complex to task and demands that a city can and should have it all.

Greensboro January 18, 2013

Why Do Southerners Go Crazy Over Snow?

Because it happens just enough to both enchant us and drive us crazy.

Cities January 2, 2013

Maintaining Good Places, My One Wish for 2013

Shiny new places are great, but I want us to maintain the places that are already great.

Education December 29, 2012

Kwanzaa’s Seven Principles and the Community

Kwanzaa is more than a African-American holiday. It is a holiday that celebrates the best of our communities.

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