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 [...]
Two weeks ago, I discussed the various ways that urban planners and firms use social media to reach out and interact with public audiences (i.e. Facebook and Twitter). While using these platforms is a good way of creating a base and engaging with users, knowing how to use these methods correctly and in the right [...]
From the beginning of its practice, planning has always been a discipline of engagement. Without engaging and interacting with city residents and constituents, planners would be lost with regards to making effective decisions and city plans. Now, with technology virtually omnipresent and more of these residents having access to data and city information, it’s imperative [...]
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 [...]
Global Site Plans is offering a 6-month to 1-year internship opportunity for contributing bloggers for topics related to business, marketing, design (website, graphic, and print), internet marketing, and content strategy. If you are a student with a passion and talent for writing about any of the aforementioned topics, then Global Site Plans wants you as a contributing blogger. We [...]
“Smart” is a Cyber Buzz Word Hawking & Einstein would have trouble keeping up with this term’s branding umbrella. “Smart” is a swirling universe of interlocking cyberstrings: system, network, knowledge, power, self-regulation, transparency, efficiency, sustainability, individuality, comprehensiveness, inclusivity. Smart cities draw on all of these. “Smart” is Open The cat is out of the bag [...]
For the fourth year in a row, the City of New York transformed some of its most heavily trafficked streets into a network of pleasant pedestrian plazas and recreational byways. Inspired by modern public space and urban design projects such as Paris Plage, Summer Streets, which ran for three consecutive Saturday this past August 2011, showcased [...]
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 [...]
In August 2011, the BMW Guggenheim Lab made its formal debut on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. A collaboration between BMW Corporation and the Guggenheim Museum, the lab hopes to redefine and rethink the modern concepts of urban planning and urban design through a series of exhibitions, games, and public events among other items. [...]
After months of research and development, the City of Philadelphia released its first comprehensive plan in June 2011, since the “1985 Plan” back in 1960. The new city plan, which predicts how the city will look 25 years from now in 2035, focuses on the key ideas of thrive, connect, and renew. But unlike the previous [...]
As technology becomes increasingly mobile, city residents are constantly in demand for information on the go. But aside from their desire to Facebook and tweet anywhere, anytime, users are looking for ways to improve their commute, quicken their pace, and reach their destination faster. Public agencies and private developers have responded to the call, creating [...]
Do you tweet and use Facebook every day, all day? Is building social community so ingrained you just can’t stop? We seek a highly a motivated individual with experience and fanatical passion for blogging, micro-blogging and community participation leadership. If you are a student with a passion for social media, have top-notch writing and communication [...]
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 [...]
As social media continues to grow and become part of the architecture and planning disciplines, design schools are increasingly integrating these essential services and networks as part of their marketing and communication, but also in their curriculum. With many design firms and city agencies incorporating these tools into their professional practice and branding, it is [...]
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 [...]
With more and more city residents becoming engaged in social media, municipal planning departments are taking notice. Across the country, many cities are responding to the trend by embedding themselves within social media networks and reaching out to constituents like never before. The cities are putting themselves out there on Twitter and allowing anyone to [...]
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 [...]
Twitter is a terrific micro-blogging platform that allows users to send 140 character messages to each other and the world. This form of social media allows for vast amounts of information to be sent in short bursts, but can also be a disaster for a user that may be new to the site. Even the [...]
One organization that is using new tools offered by companies like Global Site Plans to grow and build its advocacy campaigns is Next Aide.
