CNU Salons
Andres Duany a "reasonable" visionary, says Times-Picayune
Submitted by JonZirkle on Tue, 01/16/2007 - 4:53pmAndres Duany’s suggestions on how to save New Orleans may be falling on fertile ground these days. My analysis: people are beginning to sense Duany's’ genuine appreciation for New Orleans, a city which evokes his emotional attachment to similar cities found in his native Cuba, and that his suggestions are addressing practical concerns such as parking issues voiced by local residents. People are seeing that Duany is not playing SimCity with their town.
NU-Tube: Video for Santa Fe Project does a smart job introducing principles and sustainability benefits of New Urbanism
Submitted by Filmanowicz on Sat, 01/13/2007 - 3:04pmThis video isn't your daddy's view of New Urbanism. But amid the quick cuts and other cool effects, it does a nice job of introducing viewers to New Urbanism. Just now breaking ground (and already so pre-sold that it's generating a long waiting list) Oshara appears to be an emerging exemplar of green urbanism -- a traditional neighborhood of connected streets and blocks, onsite stormwater retention and other examples of smart infrastructure and green buildings to boot. The developers back up their vision with research showing that residents will generate energy-use and pollution reductions of nearly 50% through reduced use of automobiles and more efficient heating and cooling of buildings. (Interesting political footnote: New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson suported granting an easement over a freeway to better connect the project to Santa Fe's existing street grid.)
LEED-ND Corresponding Cmte Update: 10 Jan 07
Submitted by paytonc on Sat, 01/13/2007 - 2:00pmPosted as a courtesy to CNU members who are not yet part of the LEED-ND Corresponding Committee. Joining the Corresponding Committee is free and recommended for all CNU members; send an email to nd@committees.usgbc.org.
With US urbanists (mostly) blocked, Euro urbanists rush in to help save Havana
Submitted by norabeck on Fri, 01/12/2007 - 1:59pmThe Cuban and Norwegian chapters of the Council for European Urbanism (CEU) have been busy arranging two great opportunities to learn more about (and influence) Cuban urbanism: a week long tour traveling to Havana, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad (Feb 24 - Mar 3) and a charrette focused on Old Havana's waterfront and nearby Casablanca (Mar 4-10).
Revival of Detroit's Book Cadillac Hotel: See the Video Here
Submitted by norabeck on Fri, 01/12/2007 - 10:05amOne of the most exciting new developments in Downtown Detroit is the restoration of the Book Cadillac Hotel by the Ferchill Group. Check out this video, provided by Model D (a Detroit website covering redevelopment efforts in the city).
Katrina's Cottage Industry - Washington Post
Submitted by JonZirkle on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 5:41pmNearly a year and a half have passed since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast as well as the unveiling of New Urbanism's latest poster child--the Katrina Cottage. What began as a response to razed housing in Louisiana and Mississippi is now expanding elsewhere. A new round of manufactured cottages have hit the market with potential to gain popularity beyond the Gulf.
A way to publicize your work
Submitted by MLewyn on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 2:23amBepress.com has allowed me to create an individual web page at
http://works.bepress.com/lewyn
This feature is available (at least for faculty) at
Is Martha serious about building New Urbanism?
Submitted by Filmanowicz on Mon, 01/08/2007 - 8:19amBiloxi Must Not Waver in Community-Based Renewal, Says Pulitzer-winning Sun Herald
Submitted by Filmanowicz on Wed, 01/03/2007 - 12:14amWith its editorials and ongoing coverage, the Sun Herald of South Mississippi proves again and again that the Pulitzer committee made a wise decision in awarding the paper the top prize in journalism. With a compelling and carefully detailed December column, Sun Herald publisher Ricky Mathews astutely analyzes post-Katrina rebuilding in Biloxi, the Mississippi Gulf Coast's most closely watched city, and calls for exceptional leadership from city leaders to overcome the epic damage caused by Katrina.
Attending Global Place: Practice, Politics and the Polis?
Submitted by norabeck on Tue, 01/02/2007 - 11:15amThe University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning is hosting a two-day interdisciplinary symposium on January 4-6,2007 in Ann Arbor Michigan. Global Place: Practice, Politics, and the Polis will bring together two dozen renowned architects, urban planners, researchers and scholars from around the world. The centennial conference will address questions and opportunities that architecture and planning face in an increasingly urbanized, media-driven and commoditized world.