starchitecture - love it or hate it?

The New York Times recently asked readers to respond a Letter to the Editor regarding 'starchitecture' by architect Peggy Dreamer. She contends architectural practitioners have been "backed into a corner of aesthetic elitism". She is dismayed at the image of architects who are portrayed by the media as insensitive and "socially tone-deaf" and is of the opinion the public is fed up of this.

It is an intriguing and timely discussion. On the one hand, it seems to me, it is starchitecture that tends to create interest in the profession, which is a good thing. On the other hand, one can't help feel, on occasion, that, to architects, the aesthetic is everything and function is the sorry second cousin. Is it just me, or are Frank Gehry's more recent designs beginning to blend together? Do Zaha Hadid's edifices work as well on the inside as they look on the outside? 

The responses to Dreamer's letter vary. Enjoy her letter, readers' views and her response in The 'Starchitect' Image. It is a worthy read.

Starchitecture isn't an issue in Bermuda. Not yet, anyway. Is that good or bad?

image - tim enthoven, courtesy of new york times

observations of a planning director #1

One year on from my return to the Bermuda Department of Planning in June 2013, I do have some observations to share. 

Aspects of the planning profession have changed a lot in the past decade or so. Actually, urban planning began changing more than ten years ago – as, indeed, it should – but our professional institutes seemed slow to catch on. (And I’m not sure whether planning educators could even be considered ‘current’ at this point.) 

What changed? Community engagement now goes beyond town hall meetings and open houses. There are tools such as MindMixer and Neighborland to gauge public opinion and obtain constructive input and feedback. Charettes, traditionally used by architects to brainstorm design solutions, can help focus planning priorities and develop a consensus on options. 

seaside, fl, early new urbanism. image - steve brookeWhat else? ‘Walkable city’ is a movement that began, slowly, at the nexus of new urbanism and transit-oriented development back in the nineties. When planners put an emphasis on pedestrians, it can reap benefits across a goodly spectrum of our daily lives. You can end up with better sidewalks, slower traffic, improved health and increased economic activity. 

Tactical urbanism, newer still, is a form of community building through people-focussed interventions where residents take matters into their own hands. They don’t wait for planners to do a study or conduct a survey; they see a need and address it. This is a tool planners are beginning to latch onto as well. Useful where the ‘powers that be’ are slow to recognise and act upon opportunities to improve a neighbourhood. 

So, is Bermuda keeping pace with these examples of new directions in urban planning? Partly, yes. With development of the new City Plan, traditional community engagement efforts were mixed with newer methods of outreach to help guide strategy and policies. I suspect there will be more experimentation with, and additions to, the engagement toolbox. Apart from anything else, it’s fun! 

The walkable city is a tougher nut to crack. In Bermuda, there is a perception that parking must occur as closenew york, ny, #1 walkable us city. image - walkscore as possible to one’s final destination, which results in an emphasis on cars rather than pedestrians. Tools such as Walk[YourCity] may help to restructure the odd and negative reaction to walking anywhere – apart from the E2E! – that Bermudians seem to have. 

As for tactical urbanism, Ms Simmons on Ewing Street demonstrated quite well how to take matters into her own hands! In this case, her purpose was to save existing trees in a neighbourhood rather than a guerilla action to plant new trees. 

In all, as I indicated when I got this job, I would like to see productive collaborations between the Department of Planning and those having a sincere interest and/or investment in our island, and I don’t mean only developers and homeowners. There is room at the planning table for artists, environmental stewards, students, entertainers, hoteliers – anyone, really. We can use the new directions of the planning profession to devise and realise all sorts of collaborations that improve Bermuda for everyone.

walkability: can we do it in bermuda?

Anyone paying attention to trends in urban planning will know that making cities more walkable is a biggie. But, to be fair, referring to the 'walkable cities' movement as a trend is not accurate. Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zybeck have promoted and designed new towns around this concept for decades. 

Jeff Speck is working in this space too. He co-authored the book Suburban Nation:The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream (2000) with Duany and Plater-Zyberk and, with his most recent book, Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time (2013), he shifts the conversation from why walkability is a good idea to how we can achieve this. It is a great read. Dense with useful and, at times, funny, information, there is much for city planners to absorb and put into practice. 

It may be challenging to translate the techniques to Bermuda, as our living and driving patterns are somewhat different, but the message is clear: create a walkable city and you have building blocks for vibrancy, economic stimulation and better health. Can't find the time to read the book? No worries.Watch Speck's TED Talk instead.