Adrian Tinniswood weaves a fascinating tale about the Great Fire of London's impact on urban planning in the city.
"It is in discussing the Fire's consequences for London's urban planning that Tinniswood (whose background is in architectural history) comes into its own. The Fire created a tabula rasa for urban design that provided an unparalleled opportunity for architects and town planners, and the book offers a fascinating survey of the various Londons that might have been. These range from the Richard Newcourt's grid-pattern scheme for 55 uniform blocks, a sort of Manhattan-on-Thames; to John Evelyn's for a city with "open piazzas"; and Christopher Wren's magnificent scheme for a series a broad triumphal avenues and axial vistas connecting the City's major public buildings (in the manner of 17th-century Rome) - the solution approved by both Charles II and his Privy Council."
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Plucked from the flames
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.
California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.
HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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