The Happy Urbanist

Loving cities to death

paulcaine:

Andres Duany:

The Gen-Xers also discovered the cities; they’re buying in a proper way. The Millennials are the ones we’re talking about. And they love cities desperately. And they’re loving them to death.

Instant cities to be built by Cisco

For the article click here

This raises issues that are both exciting and worrying. At risk of being a luddite, such technological integration to me seem like a major security risk (recall for those that can, it was such a networked system in Battlestar Galactica [the rebooted series] which allowed for a cyclon attack). Not to mention the obvious Orwellian undertones.

In terms of what this mean in policy terms, it is always interesting when we see such private public partnerships. The outsourcing of the building of an entire city - I cannot help but be ever so slightly un-nerved. Recent examples has shown that the pursual of profit doesn’t neccessarily produce the results conducive to the creation of an improved society (whatever that may be).

Finally, I wonder what such assembly line production cities mean in terms of not only aesthetics, but also how as a result, people interact with their environments and as a result, each other. Will we end up having cities which are templates, without individuality, variety ?- characteristics which are so important for creating dynamic environments for people.

Thats, SIR Patrick to you

source: BBC

Its official!

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/patrick-stewart-gets-a-promotion/article1589711/

Things activists have achieved:

adriennemae:

crookedindifference:

Includes the American Revolution, the abolition of slavery, universal suffrage, public education, public parks, wildlife reserves, integration, coeducation, the eight-hour workday, collective bargaining, health and safety standards, child labor laws, reproductive choice, same-sex partner benefits, public health clinics and multicultural studies.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, its the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead

Let’s not give up.