Ultra-running.
I just finished reading Chistopher McDougall’s Born to Run. Absolutely inspiring. Running on a treadmill right now, but prepping for a marathon, WHOO
A New Redevelopment Paradigm
Any sentence with the word paradigm is guaranteed to be of interest, right? Better check this new Quincy project out to see a non-traditional Public-Private partnership.
KITTAY!
These past couple of days I have been attending some discussions on the role of media/technology within city planning. One of the ideas being, access to information and using media to sway change. [Sounds general enough, but also considering how to be more creative through citizenry action]. In exploring some of the benefits of technology, the issue of how much is too much, and how fast is too fast, became relevant. What is the threshold for us to maximize our roles as active citizens, to be able to make the change we want to, but without exploiting and removing the barriers that we have come to rely on (privacy, anonymity of data)? That is a difficult question to sum up.
Technology has been the focus in many discussions across disciplines, as it has lent to synchronization and movement that was seemingly uncaptured before. Social media as a medium to activate revolution became an obvious asset in the Middle East Revolt. Even credible on smaller scales where voices on twitter rose up against the big name corps.
The social media evolution, turned revolution, as part of our day-to-day interaction is not one that I am arguing against. It’s use and comfort is shifting the world, although in my opinion, in contrastive ways. Creating homogeneity of culture and branding, accessible to all. Or creating awareness and diversity with new ideas, new knowledge. But tapping that potential in a city planning sphere should not relay solely in a top-down process. Perhaps the increase in information, knowledge transfers and accessible documents would significantly impact citizenry demands for how space is built. I am not for arguing which medium will allow that to happen, already unintentional uses of planning have sprung up, whether through mapping or mobilization. The role of technology has become infused in shaping our cities whether intentional or not. The question I am asking is how will urban planning invite innovation in an accelerated online world? Is the acceptance of online communities joining in the discussion a first step to see improved communities? And what barriers will that break, what barriers will be created for our “safety”?
In this example, the idea of hyperlocal media in the DC community is proving how to take the ideal model of community engagement one step further, especially in an urban development process.
“With the media landscape constantly changing, there’s still plenty to learn about the potential for hyperlocal media in shaping urban development. Although many of these hyperlocal blogs will report both good and bad news, others are apt to focus on the positive. Online news coverage doesn’t always lead to offline action, and it’s of little use to people who lack online access.”
In the end, it’s about spreading the word, right.
DO T.O.
This past weekend was Doors Open Toronto.
One of the spots I checked out was the MaRS Discovery District. My favourite part was learning about the think-tank on the 4th floor, the Martin Prosperity Institute. I was blown away by the creative space created for creative minds (a lot of creation in that sentence). The space just reaffirmed what conducive thinking occurred there.
Also, fun fact, Richard Florida is the Director.
How much do I want to work for them??? A LOT.
Montréal
This long weekend, I visited Montréal. As much as I adore Toronto, there is nowhere (in Canada at least) like lovely Montréal. I may have a slightly bias view, since I have only visited in it’s summer glory, but everything about its urban yet timeless streetscapes draws me in.
Here is a visual diary of what I love about the outdoor life of this city. Everything from bikes, cafés bordering the sidewalks, green parks + ponds, old and new architecture and brightly painted staircases.
The charm of the city is not taken for granted either, as is reflected in it’s Master Plan and the aims of integrated heritage preservation. An appreciation for the quirky and juxtaposed is something that is acknowledged as a cultural attraction. I never thought I would be the tourist, in seemingly my own backyard, but I did gawk and point at things that were clearly there to entertain the nonnative.
