Today I am sharing my space with Katie McCaskey of Urban Escapee. She and I are examining different shades of the words “rural urbanism”. Below she examines the racial element and on her blog I explore the place-related element. Enjoy! Our rural urbanism captured my attention when I moved from New York City to Staunton,… Continue reading GUEST POST: Does Rural Urbanism = “White”?
Month: March 2012
Photospiration: Find Your Cool In Durham
What is cool? There’s a new book about that, but it’s focused primarly on African-Americans. What about everyone else? What makes something cool? Why are people coming back downtown? This sign on the back of a building in Durham invites people to come to their main street and find it. I just look at… Continue reading Photospiration: Find Your Cool In Durham
For Trayvon, With Love
You’re probably watching me type this right now. Or actually, I hope you are living out some of your dreams in heaven. However, it would be so much better if you were still down here on Earth. I started this site because my dad and I used to walk around our neighborhoods too. There was… Continue reading For Trayvon, With Love
Support The Black Urbanist in the Knight News Challenge
Readers , Family and Friends: As I wrote a few weeks ago, I want to expand the reach of this site. I believe there are many voices in placemaking, community development and cultural awarness that need to be heard together. The recent neighborhood shooting in Florida and the rising gas prices make this type of… Continue reading Support The Black Urbanist in the Knight News Challenge
Durham, The City As A Bull
I couldn’t talk about Raleigh without talking about Durham. Durham is known locally as the Bull City. Looking at the logic I applied to Raleigh, I found that Durham has community characteristics that resemble it’s nickname. These characteristics are not so much in how the city is shaped, but how the city has been shaped… Continue reading Durham, The City As A Bull
Photospiration: Foust Building on the Campus of UNC-Greensboro
The academy. That place where scholars go to learn and grow and thrive. This picture reflects an image that represents my second round in the academy. Many people believe that state universities only have mid-century modern, ill-designed buildings. Yet, they’ve never visited either of my alma maters, among a number of the other 16 campuses… Continue reading Photospiration: Foust Building on the Campus of UNC-Greensboro
The Great Placemaking Thing About Starbucks
I know I have readers that are completely anti-Starbucks. The vitriol is spewed along with the hate of chain stores, fatty food, sprawl, cars and everything else a good Charter-believing New Urbanist is supposed to hate. I used to be you. Then I found out the place sold really good tea and cold drinks. My… Continue reading The Great Placemaking Thing About Starbucks
Photospiration: The Lincoln National Building in Downtown Greensboro
If I had to pick one building to cite as my inspiration to write about cities, it’s the one above. For those of you who read this story, you know that the one thing I missed the most when sick with the chicken pox was the site of this building. All I had to do… Continue reading Photospiration: The Lincoln National Building in Downtown Greensboro
The Black Urbanist Spring 2012 Appearance Schedule and Reader Survey
As I promised in my last post on Thursday, I am now releasing my reader’s survey and also my event schedule for the spring. At the latter two events I am on the program and at the Urban Design Conference I’ll be in the crowd and liveblogging. Also, if you want me to come speak… Continue reading The Black Urbanist Spring 2012 Appearance Schedule and Reader Survey
The Next Steps- Moving Past Black History Month in My Planning Practice
I originally planed to re-post my entire series on Black History Month. However, as the month progressed, I’ve been inspired to take things a step further. When I started this project in October 2010, I was looking to give a voice to African-Americans who have technical and professional backgrounds in urban planning. I also wanted… Continue reading The Next Steps- Moving Past Black History Month in My Planning Practice