Soft city of illusion
In Seeing the Better City by Charles R. Wolfe (2016)
Month in review: April 2017
April always feels like a very important month for me. It is when I started university and five years later graduated from it, and it is also when I started my Masters and two years later graduated from it… And it is the birthday of one of the most important people in my life: my mother.
So, this was taken seriously, and here is what happened: Read more…
Yungaburra, Australia
Beautiful towns with dark histories in Far North Queensland. More photos here
The academic job selection
Several months ago I mentioned I was moving to Cairns (Australia) to take up a position as a lecturer in Urban Design, and I promised I’d share my experience here. Read more…
On markets – Have they ever died?
The recent resurgence of public markets is just a beginning. Markets spark urban revitalization, foster community diversity and improve public health. We’re on the verge of a new era of market cities, with expansive networks to connect people and places. (Project for Public Spaces*)
SoLA Symposium and the memories of what I have not seen
The relationship with a post-disaster environment is a strange and powerful one. I arrived in Christchurch on the 15th February 2011, exactly one week before the earthquake that would extensively damage the city and its CBD. Read more…
Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to the second great misunderstanding that lies at the root of most urban degradation today: widening a city’s streets in the name of safety is like distributing handguns to deter crime.
Speck, Jeff (2012) Read more…
Month in review: February and March 2017
This post starts with a disclaimer: The month in review posts – being this the first one – is inspired by Ana Canhoto’s monthly round-ups. I’ve been following her blog and her monthly reflections for a while now, and it always gives me a feeling that she is in control of her work and time. I feel like I could benefit from it, and perhaps help someone out there as Ana’s reflections have helped me. Thanks Ana!
As I have previously written, I have recently relocated from Christchurch (New Zealand) to Cairns (Australia). Read more…
Book recommendation
When Strangers Meet: How People You Don’t Know Can Transform You by Kio Stark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love talking to and meeting strangers and this book is a pleasure to read. Although it is not directly about urbanism, there are so many aspects of human relationships that should be taken into account in urban design. How can we promote these encounters, this exchange? Read more…
Induced demand is the name for what happens when increasing the supply of roadways lowers the time cost of driving, causing more people to drive and obliterating any reductions in congestion. Read more…
