As a final submission for The Grid, I wish to thank everyone who has read my past blogs. I hope that they have been a source of new perspective and contemplation. What often began as a thought or idea manifested into words more tangible through my internship. For this, I wish to express my appreciation [...]
The Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA), an organization comprised of nearly every higher learning landscape architecture program in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, will be holding its annual conference at the University of Illinois March 28 – 31, 2012. The 2012 CELA Conference will provide educators, professionals in the field, [...]
Neotraditionalist, or new urbanism design, is committed to pedestrian-friendly streets. Details for this type of urban design include mixed-use zoning, garages at the back of residential lots utilizing alleys, and retail areas located on the same secondary streets running throughout the development. Pedestrians and bicyclists become the main focus for this type of development, as [...]
As a pedestrian on a bicycling/walking path, you’ve probably grumbled as a bicyclist passed from behind without warning. Or maybe you’ve feared for your children’s safety as you’ve pulled them to the side of the path as bicyclists whizzed past without regard to their speed. On the other hand, as a bicyclist, chances are you [...]
The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) will hold its annual meeting and EXPO in San Diego, California, October 30 – November 2, 2011. According to their website, www.asla.org, more than 6,000 landscape architect professionals from the United States and around the world will be in attendance. Attendees will have the opportunity to earn up [...]
My professor recently told a story about an individual that was picking out trees for a landscape design he was working on. Of all the trees available to him at the nursery, he chose ones that had been improperly planted so that the soil and mulch covered the root flare and was piled too high [...]
New Urbanism, among other movements, strives to make a community more walkable, while establishing a strong sense of community. While the design of New Urbanism communities can create an environment in which pedestrians are more welcome and neighbors can easily gather; this does not always promote a sense of togetherness. For various reasons, providing the [...]
Rain gardens can be found in several public spaces within Lincoln, Nebraska. Sometimes a sign is placed within the landscape, drawing attention to the rain garden and its usefulness to the environment. Unfortunately, not all of these gardens are maintained consistently to make them attractive. The city of Lincoln is actively promoting the installation of [...]
Like most urban areas, Lincoln, Nebraska, contains many farmers’ markets throughout the growing season. The biggest of these markets is open on Saturday mornings in the downtown Lincoln area. The market itself has become something of an event, attracting thousands of people each week, during its peak. Just last month, a new farmers’ market opened [...]
As much as I enjoy commuting to work and school on my bicycle, oftentimes I dislike riding it for regular errands. Incomplete streets, limited bicycle trails, and routes are one problem, but a lack of bicycle facilities are another. When you’re hopping out of your car to patronize stores at strip malls, do you ever [...]
Where is your focus when you step outdoors? Are you automatically checking personal email and texts, or surfing the Web on your mobile device? Or are you deeply breathing the fresh air and enjoying the sun upon your face? Just recently, in my hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska, the air temperature hit triple digits on a [...]
What do you consider when you think about humanity’s carbon footprint? Do you applaud those that drive an electric car? Or do you commend those who commute by bicycle or public transit? Maybe the fuel-efficient home is more desirable than keeping the thermostat low on cold days while wearing an extra layer of clothes? When [...]
I love walking through my urban neighborhood in Lincoln, Nebraska, on early spring mornings. Although it is nestled between main arterial streets, I am enveloped in nature through thoughtful design. The rising sun penetrates areas of the urban design landscape that fade into the shadow as the day progresses. During these glimpses of new activity, [...]
