APA Los Angeles’ Post

Queer urbanism is an approach to planning that centers identity, breaks norms, and gives people agency to adapt a space to meet their needs, says Culture House founder Aaron Greiner. Learn more about creating queer-inclusive public spaces in #PlanMag. https://bit.ly/3OABOUP

A really interesting perspective.

Ready for episode 3 of #QueerForCities? Well, it’s out now!! Join me for a dynamic dive into the intersections of queer identity, urban planning, and public space with special guest Aaron Greiner (CultureHouse). Aaron is an innovative urban designer dedicated to crafting more inclusive cities, and he's here to share his insights on how queer urbanism benefits everyone. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/e7i5pd-z Audiogram Description: The image features a photo of Aaron Greiner standing against a vibrant graffiti background. Dynamic captions overlay the image, displaying his quote: "The beautiful and the challenging about cities is that they are human constructions. When you look at most places that we spend our time, a person decided to design them that way... A queer approach to urbanism inherently centers identity, it breaks norms, and it gives people the ability to adapt their space." The graffiti backdrop adds an urban and artistic feel to the audiogram, emphasizing the theme of urban design and queer urbanism. #queerurbanism #urbandesign #urbanplanning #placemaking

I recently wrote a paper for Culture Critic about New Urbanism and children's play streets. In it, I contend that American urbanists forgot that meaningful public places are far greater than the sum of their parts amidst the frenzy of mid-century efficiency. The benefits of an energetic civic plaza do more to maximize human value than any commercial use of that land one might imagine. Of course, the United States doesn’t have millennia-old cathedral squares (like our neighbor in Europe) around which to build living, breathing spaces. Instead, we will have to relearn what good urbanism looks like. If we design streets around people and demand more beauty in the public realm, we might be surprised at the result—economic and otherwise. Read more in the link in the comments.

Today marks the beginning of Reconciliation Week, an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the rich history of the oldest surviving culture in the world. Now more than ever, there is a need to continue the reconciliation journey. Reconciliation gives us the opportunity to learn about shared histories, cultures, and achievements. Our Urban Design Strategy aims to achieve this by connecting people and place by integrating Kaurna history through stories and design. Reflecting on the urban design strategy and principles, Angie Johnson, Aboriginal Liaison Officer (T2D) says, “I appreciate the comprehensive work done during the planning phase (of the Project), which has ensured a culturally integrated approach.” Below are some of the key objectives of the strategy: - Explore use of Kaurna language, including naming or dual naming of places and new infrastructure - Help heal Kaurna Country by incorporating locally endemic plant species - Develop creative design to retain and protect existing trees - Use materials, colours, textures, finishes that draw inspiration from local landscape.   Read more about the Urban Design Strategy and the outlined outcomes here: https://lnkd.in/gushXVKj

People love tall buildings. They always have and always will. Tall buildings extend our horizons and I believe there’s something innately human about the desire to metaphorically reach towards the stars. Buildings that taper into the sky aren’t new. Throughout history, they have created a strong sense of identity and place, enabling cities to be known and loved for the striking silhouettes they trace across the sky. Co-created by their users and shaped by the community around them, tall buildings – be they brand new or old structures adapted and re-used – are an incredible way of breathing new life into the city and a beautiful way of sustaining London. However, the days of sterile, single-use tall towers will soon be a thing of the past. We should start to imagine tall buildings as ‘vertical villages’ supporting a rich mix of uses. These villages need to be punctuated with ‘village commons’ that provide spaces for interaction to promote wellbeing, as well as being centres of innovation, creativity and community. Read my comment in favour of tall buildings: https://lnkd.in/dsYdhFmH Image: Our proposal for 55 Bishopsgate. Render by Plusimgs. #afkstudios #earlearney #arneyfenderkatsalidis #tallbuildings #citycluster

Tactical Urbanism ++ [revitalization activations for cities] >> Tactical urbanism refers to grassroots, temporary, and low-cost interventions in public spaces that aim to improve the livability and functionality of cities. These interventions can include pop-up parks, public art installations, pedestrian and cyclist-friendly infrastructure, and community events. While tactical urbanism projects may be temporary in nature, they often have long-lasting economic and social benefits for cities. Some of these benefits include: *Increased foot traffic *Enhanced community [local entrepreneurs] engagement *Reimagined public spaces *Economic revitalization Photo: Andrea-von-Bujdoss, pavement-to-plaza intervention in Williamsburg, Brooklyn 16'

What is #placemaking? When we talk about public spaces, we often throw around the word ‘placemaking’ without considering what the term really means. In our latest episode of #BuildingSounds, we sit down with Ruchi Chakravarty, Masterplanning, Urban Design and Placemaking Consultant, and Federico Ortiz of NLA to talk all things placemaking and unpack the meaning of the word.  Listen below! 🔊 https://lnkd.in/eentzFfN #LFA2024 #LFAat20

Agree fully, we need to start taxing cars by width and length as well as by value and emissions.

The ripple effect of this reality is significant to our communities and environment with the expanded asphalt/hard surfaces routing greater volumes of stormwater into our already overtaxed sewer systems. In turn, more energy is consumed to continually treat this ever growing collected grey water.