Archive | August, 2011

Are We Missing Major Place-Making Opportunities With Our Airports?

Share Yes, this looks cool, but I think I’ve seen this airport before…(Image Credit Flickr user: Evil Jess Floating through airports over the summer, I have noticed how remarkably similar they are. I would think an international building with the ability to showcase the local culture would in fact be that showcase. Instead, I’m seeing [...]

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Four Ways Old Malls and Strip Centers Are Coming Back to Life

Share Yes, I know North Hills Raleigh is a great retrofit of an old mall. But it’s still mostly retail. Read below and find out more about other rebirth options. (Image credit: Flickr user radellaf). I know in my last post I came down pretty hard on the lifestyle center trend. However, living up the [...]

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Shopping Malls and Strip Centers Are Not Dead Yet

Share Image Credit: flickr user steven.y As much as we hate them, I still do believe there is life in our traditional enclosed shopping malls and strip shopping centers. When these facilities opened, they were bright, shiny, air-conditioned and convenient. Supermarkets offered everything imaginable under one roof. Some even had lounges for spouses and kids, [...]

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Why Do Southerners Go Crazy Over Snow?

Because it happens just enough to both enchant us and drive us crazy.

Mixed-Use Ain’t Always Pretty

Let’s not fall into the trap that mixed-use is only a building code or type.

Maintaining Good Places, My One Wish for 2013

Shiny new places are great, but I want us to maintain the places that are already great.

Kwanzaa’s Seven Principles and the Community

Kwanzaa is more than a African-American holiday. It is a holiday that celebrates the best of our communities.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! New Things to Come for the Black Urbanist

Wishing everyone a prosperous holiday season, where giving and loving is number one in all of our communities! Meanwhile, a few reflections on what’s next on the blog.

The Black Urbanist Podcast-Episode 1

ShareHappy birthday to me! I’ve chosen to share a gift with you, the first episode of my podcast. Stream right [...]