I’ve pointed to the dangers of physical determinism many times. Space and geography are important variables explaining how cities work, but some disciplines have a marked tendency to over-state their importance and, more seriously, under-state the importance of more decisive economic and social variables. My interest has to date been at the level of cities. [...]
I cringed when I saw the Prime Minister reportedly portrayed the Leader of the Opposition yesterday as a silvertail living in one of Sydney’s wealthiest regions. “It is only those who are cosseted on Sydney’s north shore”, she told Parliament, “that could fail to realise working families need relief.” Changes in the connection between geography, [...]
Comments during the week by Australia’s two newest Premiers suggest traditional political understandings might need to be revised. Ideas like creating walkable communities and increasing social capital aren’t usually associated with the conservative side of politics, yet the Premiers of the country’s newest blue States are co-opting them with the enthusiasm of born-again hippies. First we [...]
February 23, 2012 – 7:34 pm
No point trying to talk urban policy while the Julia and Kevin show is in full swing, so here’s something not all that different – stars and celebs. The Urbanist’s angle is it’s the geography of New York stardom. Where do the stars live? The exhibit shows Manhattan south of the Garment District. If you [...]
January 4, 2012 – 10:11 am
Here are the ‘top twelve’ articles posted on The Melbourne Urbanist in 2011 i.e. those that got, in order, the most readers: What were they thinking? Will redevelopment of Fishermans Bend really be revolutionary? The distribution of wealth: perception vs reality Is this building offensive? Is this a real tram ‘network’? How many travellers use [...]
December 20, 2011 – 6:32 pm
City managers love a catchy idea. Ten years ago it was “creative cities”; next it could be the idea that cities should discover their own “ethos” to protect them from the homogenisation of globalisation. Avner De-Shallit and Daniel A Bell have just published a new book, The spirit of cities: why the identity of a [...]
December 17, 2011 – 2:35 pm
It’s natural in discussions of planning and development issues to focus limited energy on the areas where Melbourne could do better. But it’s easy to forget our blessings – the areas where Melbourne is doing well. That’s not to say that things couldn’t be better, but it acknowledges there are some areas where things could [...]
December 15, 2011 – 7:54 pm
Assorted links to some of the useful, the informative, the interesting, and sometimes even the slightly weird sources I stumble across from time-to-time: There are only one and a half days to go to win a copy of Jarrett Walkers new book, Human Transit. Follow this link (this competition closed 17 Dec 2011) Motoring helmets for [...]
