CNU Salons
New Door to Affordable Housing Opens
Submitted by JonZirkle on Sun, 10/29/2006 - 6:09pmThe Johnson's recently became the recipients of a donated manufactured home to replace their existing home in Montgomery, MD.
This home is the first of many designed by architect Steve Mouzon who also created the now infamous Katrina Cottage which he called a "FEMA trailer with dignity." The home was generously donated by Housing International, Inc., and given to the Johnson's through a local housing agency when their current home fell under sever need of repair amidst financial struggles.
LEED now to rate neighborhood developments - Grist Magazine
Submitted by JonZirkle on Tue, 10/17/2006 - 3:32pmGreen building standards are getting greener. Charles Shaw hunts down cutting-edge environmental advocates such as green architect Doug Farr, one of the leaders of the anticipated new green rating system called LEED-Neighborhood Design (LEED-ND). The LEED-ND Core Committee hopes to launch this impressive eco-friendly rating system by 2009. Shaw’s enlightening visits uncover ways this voluntary green development option will help sustain our planet, that is if developers and homeowners choose to go green.
Waterfront street a viable alternative - Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Submitted by JonZirkle on Tue, 10/17/2006 - 2:42pmJohn Norquist and Scott Bernstein shed light on Seattle’s latest Alaskan Viaduct considerations. After reviewing WSDOT’s analysis of the “no-replacement” option, Norquist and Bernstein find exaggerated assumptions and inadequate considerations as to how traffic in downtown Seattle can be absorbed by the existing street grid. According to the columnists, the “no-replacement” option could reduce traffic congestion, increase economic vitality in downtown Seattle, and help the region meet its desired air quality standards.
How to Rebuild New Orleans: start with a trip to Denver - Slate magazine
Submitted by JonZirkle on Tue, 10/17/2006 - 2:12pmOne year after Katrina, New Orleans is still behind the eight ball when it comes to rebuilding. However, with the help of a Rockefeller grant, the Great New Orleans Foundation is heading a neighborhood-scale rebuilding effort that employs several new urbanist architects. In the recent posting in Slate online magazine, Rybczynski looks to a major new urbanist project in Denver as a reference point for New Orleans’ rebuilding possibilities. Many questions remain as to how an old city like New Orleans will balance its immediate needs while protecting its distinctive character.
Planning Process Unclear - Times-Picayune
Submitted by JonZirkle on Tue, 10/17/2006 - 12:50pmAccording to Coleman Warner of the Times-Picayune, there seems to be a lot of planning and discussing on how to rebuild New Orleans but public uncertainty still looms as to what and when plans get implemented. Many residents feel that too much money is being spent on planning and consulting as housing and basic services remain inadequate. How will public input, funding sources, and political strategery determine the rebuilding of New Orleans?
Gulf Coast New Urbanism and the Katrina Cottage - USA Today
Submitted by JonZirkle on Tue, 10/17/2006 - 12:21pmUSA Today’s Larry Copeland tells us that many coastal Mississippi towns are rebuilding their communities with new urbanist principles in mind. But not all towns are jumping on the bandwagon. Towns like Biloxi seem weary of recent efforts to create walkable communities with widespread access to shops and offices, a new concept for a region previously designed for the automobile. Nevertheless, new urbanists are working with public officials and companies like Lowe’s to offer residents vibrant permanent housing alternatives to the temporary government trailer.
Commuting in America - USA Today
Submitted by JonZirkle on Tue, 10/17/2006 - 10:21amIn a USA Today cover story today, Larry Copeland gave John Norquist a chance to react to the not-so-good news found in the latest "Commuting in America" report.
John used the opportunity to say how growing developer interest in mixed-use urbanism is poised to affect the so-far declining numbers for walking as a share of commuting nationwide -- at least slowing the decline and perhaps eventually leading to a turnaround. The report focuses on the 1980-2000 period.
Could T.O.D. unfairly displace retailers?
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 10/12/2006 - 3:54pmAlan Ehrenhalt’s Assessments column in the September issue of Governing looks bittersweetly at the phenomenon of transit-oriented gentrification. The used bookstore Ehrenhalt’s daughter works at, smack between Minneapolis and St. Paul, will soon front a light rail station. Its owner fears the higher rents and gentrification that he believes inevitably follows.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer - Alaskan Way Viaduct: A Third Way
Submitted by Janderer on Mon, 10/09/2006 - 11:46pmWith two alternatives proposed to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct, Washington State representatives remain skeptical of a new multilane thoroughfare. The Congress for the New Urbanism and the Center for Neighborhood Technology disagree with the state's estimates for future traffic demands. The two organizations will continue to push for the
Seattle Post-Intelligencer - Alaskan Way Viaduct: A Third Way
Submitted by Janderer on Mon, 10/09/2006 - 3:06pmWith two alternatives proposed to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct, Washington State representatives remain skeptical of a new multilane thoroughfare. The Congress for the New Urbanism and the Center for Neighborhood Technology disagree with the state's estimates for future traffic demands. The two organizations will continue to push for the removal of the current highway. The future of Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct remains uncertain.