Project for Public Spaces

In researching for my next class project I remembered hearing about this awesome program called Project for Public Spaces. 

They're  a nonprofit planning, design and educational organization dedicated to helping people create and sustain public spaces that build stronger communities. They lead projects as well as train people to help create these inclusive small urban spaces.  


In 2006 PPS came to Bellingham to hold a two day conference focusing on placemaking opportunities. (Read the story here) 


I wish I could have been there. Placemaking is such an important part of any urban framework. A project I'm working on this quarter for Sustainable Communities could really benefit from the ideas represented here. 


SO check it out!

Ikea-land?

Found this really interesting article (linked Here) Totally check it out.

Turns out Ikea is trying to emerge into the Planning and urban designing field with their 11 hectare neighborhood! 

Senior Year!

Alright Followers!

SO! It's senior year baby! This is my last quarter as a planning student with Huxley College, and boy does it feel great! Though terrifying!

Last quarter I took a class called Urban Transitions Studio (see LINK) . We worked with what is called the "Corridor Edge" between existing Central Business District and the newly emerging Waterfront District, right here in Bellingham. We worked in conjunction with the City Of Bellingham Planning Department, Port of Bellingham and the Bellingham Public Development Authority. A lot of research,  time, field work and computer time went into this project. But the overall product was a 24 page report chalk full of interesting graphics created by yours truly, (and a few other group members).  Our final presentation was at City Hall, and open to the public. The website announcment can be found HERE.

Overall this project was eyeopening to the amount of work that goes into a comprehensive plan.


This image was the cover of our document, showing the "Districts" we created using existing character and extending their specific feel into future developments. If you would like to see the whole PDF Please, email me and I will send you a copy. Thank you.

LUMCON

Alright so, FRiday and Saturday our group was at LUMCON Research station in south west Louisiana. It stands for Louisiana university marine conservatory, and conducts research on the marine environment and the effects of human activities.

On Friday morning we took the two hour bus ride out to the station, and a town called cocarie.
Sadly when we arrived the winds were too high and our canoe trip of the marshes was canceled. So some of us played volleyball for a while, Before heading to row. To check out the only restaurant/bar/grocery store. Also we hung out in the local pool, super tiny but effective at cooling us off. Dinner, provided by local women cooking at LUMCON, was chicken gumbo with potato salad and grits. Tasty. Finally we ended up walking around town, enjoying the sunset before crashing the local "club house". Loud music and cheap beer helped all of us bond hah.

Saturday morning came bright and early with a breakfast of eggs, and grits. We loaded up some sandwiches and nets before heading out to the Trinity barrier island. A beautiful 45 min boat ride took us through both man made channels, and natural bayeu passageways. The island was beautiful, but looked like a dessert. Insanely hot. We played in the gulf of Mexico, chased crabs, combed the beach for shells and swam in the bayeu. We used the nets to scoop up organisms for study. Found all sorts of fish, jellies, shrimp and others. On the way back to the station we saw a few dolphins playing in the channel. An hour later we were back on the bus headed for New Orleans.

We are staying in a hotel called the Olde Town Inn and the old buildings are charming but obviously ancient. It has a cute courtyard, great staff and kitties roaming just looking for friends. It has a southern charm. But few outlets. Saturday night after we had all checked in and showered the gulf sand away we explored the local area. We are about a mike from the French quarter, but is a straight walk. So we had dinner down there, I had a shrimp po'bou sandwich and Cajun salad. Shirty service but Loved the food. Later we found a drag show in the local gay bar and made friends with the bartender to get some tasty free drinks with the queens. Great fun.

Welcome to the Crecent City!

Ok so I didn't update yesterday because when I finally had time I was too exhausted.
So I took off from DIA airport at 6 am and had a brief layover in Houston before touching down in "Loosiana", as the locals say, around 11.

I took a cab into the city and headed to the Garden District, specifically the prytania park hotel. Since our rooms went ready yet I found two of my classmates, Kristina and Amy, and we went for an adventure.

Out first stop was actually unexpected, when a local woman asked for a cigarette. Kristina obliged and we ended up talking to Theresa and her 10 month old son for a half hour. She gave us some great restaurants to visit, bars to try out and tips about the trolly and bus systems. She was hilarious.

After talkin to her we ended up at the civil war museum on the edge if the art district. Although they didn't allow photographs of their artifacts it was a cool stop. They had a Ron of stuff there and even more information.
Next we continued walking toerless the French Quarter. We went into a few shops, petted a mule a meet locals trying to con us out of our $. (didn't work) we ended up eating lunch at the Napoleon House. I had a Pimms cup and red beans an rice. So good. We continued exploring and ended up waiting out a rainstorm in a local pub. Found out hurricanes are delicious hah. Later we silts dinner at bubba gumps shrimp shack and I tried Cajun shrimp. So spicy! But delicious. Finally we headed home.

Luckily for me I got to room with Kristina. We both passed out pretty fast.

Now I'm on the bus to the LUMCON research station for a canoe trip into the marshes. Exciting.

Travelin'

Alright so the time has finally come. I leave for new Orleans tomorrow morning bright and early (6am flight out if DIA). Im super excited but rightfully nervous. Big city, alone, and only a lowly map to guide me I find myself anxious to meet up with my classmates at the hotel.

So, in preparation for this class I reviewed the book "The Trouble With City Planning: What New Orleans can Teach Us." by Kristina Ford. It was fairly interesting as well as entertaining, as far as planning literature goes. I suggest checking it out. I'll post my review soon.

Wish me luck on my travels tomorrow.
I'll post as often as possible!
Ciao

Urban planning?

Inspired Bicycles - Danny MacAskill April 2009

Ok So check out the above link, then come back and I'll explain.

This video is a perfect example of how different people use the urban environment. Essentially making it "multi-use". We recently looked at it in my Human Geography class, and it got me thinking: How do I, or anyone else, use the urban environment differently then it was intended?

It's a pretty interesting thought, and I have yet to find an instance where I do use the urban setting for something other then it's intended. I'll have to keep better track.