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
Year: 2012
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
The Beginings of the Black Experience in Community Development
For Black History Month, I am reposting my series on the Black Experience in Community Development, as well as my motivation for writing this blog. Also, I am celebrating leaders in community development on my Facebook page This is post one, a brief history. As planning and architecture in their modern notions did not come… Continue reading The Beginings of the Black Experience in Community Development
Five Ways to Kill the Inferiority Complex in Community Building
I think a major layer of community building is the inferiority complex. I’m seeing it again as we are preparing to welcome Trader Joes into our community. We spend too much time thinking we need to spend money on expensive stadiums and art centers to be more urbane. If we are over that demon, we… Continue reading Five Ways to Kill the Inferiority Complex in Community Building
Four Ways to Bring Income Back to All of Greensboro
The news picked up on the latest Pew Research Center study stating how income inequality has increased tensions here in America.Nowhere has this inequality grown greater than in my hometown of Greensboro. Yes Weekly has a great spread on how our poverty zone has extended far beyond it’s original barriers and how old money neighborhoods… Continue reading Four Ways to Bring Income Back to All of Greensboro
Raleigh: The City as an Oak Tree
I spent my New Years weekend in my adopted hometown of Raleigh. I watched as they dropped an acorn to ring in the New Year, a nod to the city’s designation of the “City of Oaks”. I hung around for a couple of extra days as well to chill out. As part of my vacation,… Continue reading Raleigh: The City as an Oak Tree
My Four Wishes for the Urban Fabric, 2012 Edition
Last year, I wrote a list of wishes for 2011. Looking back, a number of those wishes have come true. The Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship, a beloved start-up incubator, is set to get remodeled and become bigger and better.We have the promise of HondaJet expanding in Greensboro. I witnessed the Greensboro City Council get better… Continue reading My Four Wishes for the Urban Fabric, 2012 Edition