Christopher Alexander died on March 17, leaving behind a towering legacy of influence on the fields of architecture, planning, and urban design.

Christopher Alexander, author of A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction and The Battle for the Life and Beauty of the Earth, among other books and essays, passed away on March 17 after a long illness.
Alexander's death was first reported by Michael Mehaffy and commemorated with an article on the CNU Public Square written by Robert Steuteville.
Steuteville describes Alexander as "a towering figure in architecture and urbanism" and "one of the biggest influences on the New Urbanism movement." Both Planetizen and Brent Toderian ranked A Pattern Language as one of the top planning books of all time. In 2017, Planetizen readers also ranked Alexander as one of the most influential urbanists of all time.
More suggested reading and listening on the influence of Christopher Alexander's A Pattern Language:
- Is it Time to Revive the Pattern Language? (Planetizen, April 2020)
- Let Christopher Alexander design your life (Curbed, July 2019)
- This Is the Most Calming Book I’ve Ever Read (The Cut, October 2017)
- Christopher Alexander: A Pattern Language (Studio 360, March 2011)
FULL STORY: Christopher Alexander, 1936-2022

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.

Greening Oakland’s School Grounds
With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.

California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas
Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.

Native American Communities Prepare to Lead on Environmental Stewardship
In the face of federal threats to public lands and conservation efforts, indigenous groups continue to model nature-centered conservation efforts.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland