It is common today to talk about health only in terms of physical health. The “Active Living” program is often considered the solution to all health problems. In fact, even as cities enact “Active Living” programs to solve obesity, they discover the programs are ineffectual if the society is fragmented or the individual is marginalized. … Read more
The 2012 International Making Cities Livable International Urban Design Award to Ettore Maria Mazzola for his exemplary project, “Urban Regeneration of the Groundscraper, Corviale, Rome” In recognition of this visionary proposal to replace a “ground-scraper” with a human-scale new-traditional small town with mixed-use and piazzas, improving the landscape, economic and social well-being, without disrupting the … Read more
The 2012 International Making Cities Livable International Urban Revitalization Award to Ecuador’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage (Ministerio de Coordinación de Patrimonio) for their exemplary national program, The Plaza: A Place of Encounter (Proyecto Ciudades Patrimoniales del Ecuador), Jacobo Herdoíza Bolaños, Coordinador In recognition of this visionary national program to regenerate social and economic health in … Read more
Cities across the US are learning to bike-share. On March 14th, the Portland City Council submitted a request for a proposal to find a vendor to install and operate a bike share program. “Bike-share will be a great addition to North America’s most bike-friendly city. It’s a simple, attractive alternative to making quick trips by … Read more
It almost goes without saying that transportation options are different depending on where you live. If you live in a small town, there's a good chance you can get around without having to own a car. Maybe you have to drive to a grocery store on the outskirts, but hopefully you live in a place … Read more
On March 14th, the Portland City Council submitted a request for a proposal to find a vendor to install and operate a bike share program. “Bike share will be a great addition to North America’s most bike-friendly city. It’s a simple, attractive alternative to making quick trips by car” Portland Mayor Sam Adams stated on … Read more
By Andreas Feldtkeller Director of Old City Restoration, City of Tübingen I think that communities in old European city centers exemplify the idea of a viable community, and when we restore these old cities our first problem must be to maintain this existing community, and not to destroy it by over-planning. By our own actions … Read more
Interview with Bob Cools, Mayor of Antwerp I base my vision of cities on a theory, and this theory proposes that a city is like a human being. The health of a human being is based on balances, and that is true of the city as well. If those balances are distorted then the city … Read more
By Dietrich Garbrecht What is livability? When we talk about livability we are concerned with individual and social development, with safety and comfort, and we are concerned with piazzas, with special quality, architectural quality, and with transportation systems. Livability for whom? Livability for all groups! What does that mean? The population of my hometown of … Read more
The 2012 IMCL International Urban Design Award will be presented to Prof. Arch. Ettore Maria Mazzola for his consistent leadership in designing urban environments that celebrate community, and lift the spirit. As shown in his reconceptualization of modern mass housing areas such as Corviale, Rome, and Zen, Palermo, his urban designs are hospitable for all, … Read more