New Tools for Broke Cities

Howard Blackson looks at new tools for fixing cities, including form-based codes, plans for complexities (neighborhoods, urban patterns, architecture), classification of character, and funding systems.

1 minute read

April 30, 2011, 5:00 AM PDT

By Hazel Borys

Blackson decries the current state of planning:

"Let's be honest. Our cities are broke and redevelopment was unpredictable at best - except in causing a lot of angst among the general public. And, despite Einstein's definition of insanity, a majority of our nation's Planning Departments have stubbornly continued to use the same Land Use-based planning tools over and over again, expecting different outcomes."

"It is time to bring out a new set of tools to help our cities grow more strategically in our new economy and re-focus new development to contribute towards a sense-of-place that is socially, culturally and economically valuable."

Thanks to Hazel Borys

FULL STORY: Coding for Character: The Architecture of Community

Friday, April 29, 2011 in PlaceShakers

Urban Development World Redevelopment Frank Gehry Leon Krier Form-Based Codes Bilbao Dan Gilbert Howard Blackson View More

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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