Memes are tacky, and vulgar, and a cheap laugh. Honestly… they are amazing! Which is why I was disappointed to find so few Urban Planning memes on the web. There were these… And that was it. Just 5. Did all that planning kill our humorous side? Or are we too good for memes? Then I … Continue reading
There are many examples of Ecovillages all around the world. In many cases they are showing repeated triple bottom line wins – ecologically, economically and socially. For inspiration here is a simple video about Ecovillages. What would it take for this to be a widespread initiative in Australia? Continue reading
I guided a tour of 12 laneways in Brisbane city this week for the World Symposium on Transport and Land Use Research. These spaces are hidden treasures for sanctuary and walking ‘short cuts’ that enable empathy through the sharing of city space. BUT they could produce so much more than coffee consumption. They are limited … Continue reading
Oh dear, did I just write ‘brothel’ in a School blog post? Well, it is a legitimate land use, isn’t it? Anyway. The original version of the title quote comes from the French author Jacques Seguela, and refers to working in advertising, not planning, but aren’t we planners a lot like publicists, anyway? Let me … Continue reading
Novels that are based in cities can illustrate the evolution of urban planning. By describing and re-creating a place, these stories can grasp details that lie beyond the scope of formal urban planning research. They might also provide, I guess, more powerful explanations than academic articles of the role of planning in a given city. … Continue reading
When people live in a communal like situation they have happier lives. And interesting they also tend to be more caring of their ecological impact. Hmmm. Not a surprise here. Quality of life and happiness in Intentional Communities. Yet why then is the range of modern communal living such as ecovillages, co-housing, co-living, co-operative houses so … Continue reading
