Diana Lind’s Post

Today, we're taking a digital stroll down memory lane in the streets of Philadelphia, but in 1994! Our Topographic Map feature now lets you explore the city's contours and landscapes as they were nearly three decades ago. 🏙️ Imagine seeing how the City of Brotherly Love's hills and valleys have changed over the years. Discover historical landmarks in their past context, and compare them with the present to witness the city's evolution. 📚 For researchers, urban planners, or anyone fascinated by Philadelphia's rich history, this is a goldmine! It's not just a map; it's a time capsule that tells a story of urban development, landscape changes, and historical growth.

Another great piece this year highlighting what 15-minute cities are (hint, they are the way they used to build cities for centuries before the car) and why they should be incorporated into the planning process. You can check out NLC's piece on exploring 15-minute cities concepts for municipalities of all sizes: https://lnkd.in/eGqeKAm8 #planning #15minutecity #mobility

A livable city is a happy one. This book explores the intersection of urban policy and well-being. (from the archive)

Interesting perspective on urban living and the "15-minute city", highlighting 19th century redevelopment of my favorite international city - Paris, and also the design of Savannah, Philadelphia, and Copenhagen. https://lnkd.in/eS2R-xvw

The planning skill set is useful in leading communities too

A livable city is a happy one. This book explores the intersection of urban policy and well-being. (from the archive)

26 Visions for Urban Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity. Edited by Tony L. Griffin, Ariella Cohen and David Maddox | 2015. From the Nature of Cities: “Over the past decade, there have been conversations about the “livable city,” the “green city,” the “sustainable city” and, most recently, the “resilient city.” At the same time, today’s headlines—from Ferguson to Baltimore, Paris to Johannesburg—resound with the need for a frank conversation about the structures and processes that affect urban residents’ quality of life and livelihoods.

Learn more about walkable cities, 🎬 view Ted episode "How can more U.S. cities become more walkable? Here's one urban planner's approach" by Jeff Speck. https://lnkd.in/gErj3H7u

A lot of current talk related to public governance is more and more about the concept and the actual resilience of our cities. This book by Frank Lloyd Wright | 1932 is truly open and critical thinking in this regard and should not be forgotten because of its focus on the essence of citizens and their communities. “The principles set forth in The Disappearing City Frank Lloyd Wright’s advocacy of creating cities built to human scale, of planning the open spaces, making possible both community places and truly private places, of decentralizing the structure of our civilization - found their most thoughtful expression in his Broadacre City, an idea that grew from the 1932 book into a highly influential theory of city planning..."

Discover the power of public space as a solution! Reimagining the Civic Commons recently showcased how Lexington's public spaces, including the Gresham Smith-designed Town Branch Commons and Charles Young Park's SPLASH!, can play a pivotal role in addressing a city's social, economic and environmental challenges. Read the full article on Medium that details four key lessons from Lexington's approach to thoughtful and sustained investments in public spaces: