The Record Co.’s Post

Thanks Lyndhurst Foundation Inc, PlayCore, Chattanooga Design Studio, City of Chattanooga, and Eric Myers for bringing Gil Penalosa to #chattanooga on February 22. In 6 short years, Gil and his team built 200 urban parks and activated roadways, sidewalks, school yards and public areas for public uses across Bogota. His team's successes showed the world that creating great cities isn't about having plenty of resources, or waiting for some long, drawn out bureaucratic process or glacial pace decision making effort to reach a measured conclusion. Rather, creating great cities beyond what we may think possible is simply a matter of priorities. Who gets to set these priorities? It's the people who live in cities, because they are what make cities so special, resilient, and powerful. Gil's 8 80 Cities team and value proposition challenge cities to prioritize creating the good things - livability, mobility, opportunity, fun, beauty, health, and wellness. All possible, especially in cities like Chattanooga where landscapes swim in culture, ecology, adventure, art, sport, faith, and creativity (and Usher). Listen to this interview to learn more. Hope to see y'all at CIVIQ. https://lnkd.in/e4U2N49G #parks #urbanplanning #conservation World Urban Parks

Architecture is more than just creating buildings; it's about constructing connections, crafting shared experiences, and fostering community spirit. Our latest blog explains how, through intentional design, architects have the potential to create spaces that are conducive to social interaction, effectively promoting community engagement. https://lnkd.in/evxUV7Rb

I am delighted that a second blog-post I wrote for The Glass-House has just been published: https://lnkd.in/eq3a6amW This post is influenced by the focus groups I conducted for my MA thesis, in which I asked participants to imagine what people- and community-centred urban planning might look like. In the 'letter', I encourage future placemakers to ask themselves a series of questions before they undertake a new project. To first question their assumption that an existing place actually needs developing, 'improving' or 'regenerating'. To think deeply about how we value the places in our cities. And to start valuing the role places might play in the lives of ordinary people and communities, rather than judging them on their economic contributions or their aesthetics.

The Texas Capitol Complex is the recipient of Quiddity's 2023 Project of the Year! In a monumental effort to breathe new life into the heart of the Lone Star State, Texas undertook a visionary mission to revitalize the state capitol complex. Quiddity played a pivotal role in the Texas Capitol Complex Project, which serves as a symbol of transformation, reshaping the Capitol Complex into more than just a tribute to the Capitol itself but also a vibrant community hub. At the core of this initiative is the integrated pedestrian mall, designed not only for governmental functions but also as a versatile space for community engagement. Envisioned to host events such as picnics for schoolchildren and outdoor book festivals, this area is poised to become an enduring gathering place for Austin's residents. Moreover, the project's significance extends beyond aesthetics. Capitol Complex Phase 1, completed in 2022, effectively addressed the challenge of fragmented office spaces, fostering a more efficient and collaborative approach to the state's challenges. The Texas Capitol Complex Project embodies more than a physical transformation; it signifies innovation, community integration, and efficient urban planning. Recognized as the 2023 Project of the Year, it leaves a lasting legacy, showcasing the impact of visionary initiatives in shaping the essence of the Lone Star State! For in-depth insights into our 2023 Project of the Year, watch a comprehensive video and listen to perspectives from the experts who brought it to fruition. Visit our website to discover more! https://okt.to/2KCYaA

In the UK, the “15-minute city” has become a taboo – a playground for conspiracy paranoia driven by people’s belief that the concept is a form of another “lockdown” – so what is the point of a 15-minute city? Created by Carlos Moreno, a professor from University of Paris I: Panthéon-Sorbonne. Moreno claims the current design to modern cities is based around outdated “masculine desires” and has led to a segmented unequal city with different districts. The point of a “15-minute city” is to promote equality by creating a mixture of social, affordable, and luxury housing, to allow integration of social strata. A place where schools are close to both workplace and home, where cultural venues, parks and shops are close by – a place for people to reclaim their “useful time” It’s had its backlash in the UK, but do we not already have “15-minute” neighbourhoods within London – Notting Hill? Clapham? Dare I say it… Canary Wharf? Moreno’s book “The 15-Minute City” is released next month https://lnkd.in/eiWcZjRF

A very interesting and innovative way to further the use of public space.

Tonight, an inspiring message that echoes our city's kindness and togetherness has been switched on, scrolling across the top five storeys of the Civic Centre. The light installation, designed by local artist collective Still/Moving, is made up of the same materials used for the globally-renowned No New Worlds installation on Mount Batten pier in 2020. The super efficient, low-power LED bulbs spell out a poem, edited from a longer text written by Booker Prize-winning author Sir Ben Okri. These emotive sentences emanate from the central refrain: ‘LOVE IS THE HIGHEST ECONOMY OF LIFE’, and together call for collective change towards a more simple way of living within the finite resources of our beautiful planet. Okri’s text was chosen with Plymouth’s proud social identity in mind - the city’s spirit of togetherness that’s rooted in kindness and kinship. The project has been commissioned by Plymouth Culture, the organisation which supports cultural organisations and projects in the city, with funding from Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone cultural programme. Like NO NEW WORLDS, this new message looks to a future threatened by the climate crisis - asking what else can save our world but love and working together for a common good. The powerful phrase appears on the screen on a cyclical schedule, interspersed with additional passages from Okri’s text “Our Love Must Save The World” which have been re-edited by Ben to form the poem. The return of the light discs to their ‘home city’ of Plymouth is a poignant moment. The original No New Worlds installation by Still Moving sparked global headlines and the artistic collective believes this new installation will turn the normally static Civic Centre into a canvas for conversations. They said: “The chance to powerfully reuse these materials in their home city brings a truly exciting focus to the work of regenerating Plymouth, reactivating the city centre in a way that is not dominated by the monetary economy, but forefronts the economy of a community.” Read more at https://lnkd.in/ecKemeHu Urban Splash #cultureisalive

#CivicArchitecture is an essential aspect of our social fabric. These buildings and spaces allow the public to feel welcomed, safe, and engaged. We approach Civic stewardship with a holistic design vision because our work can positively impact the communities served. MWA’s first civic revitalization project transformed the Greene Library in Oakland into the African American Museum & Library at Oakland. Our civic portfolio has evolved to include urban design - 9th Avenue Terminal at the Port of Oakland, California - and community wellness and empowerment - Youth Uprising in Oakland, California. We continue to pursue Civic projects with complex and diverse stakeholder needs because these opportunities inspire significant social change. Pictured: 2020 - 9th Avenue Terminal, Oakland 2005 - Youth Uprising, Oakland 2003 - Moscone West Convention Center Expansion, San Francisco 2000 - AT&T Park, San Francisco 1995 - Oakland City Hall, Oakland 1993 - African American Museum & Library, Oakland

In an ongoing series Project for Public Spaces, explores the core of great public spaces - "Access and Linkages." This article delves into what makes a place accessible, visually and physically, and why the journey matters just as much as the destination. Read the full article here: #UrbanDesign #Community #Connectivity