Seeking an example of sustainable urbanisn in Seattle (Planetizen)
Seattle has the political momentum behind sustainable urbanism, but it doesn't seem to have a physical neighborhood example of how sustainable urbanism can work, according to this article.
Building the virtual city (Planetizen)
Beatville is a new "open source, multi-player environment for real cities", which purports to be a useful tool for democratizing urban planning. Does it live up to the hype? Urban Omnibus checks it out.
Giving a lift to Vancouver's downtown eastside: build taller buildings (The Vancouver Sun)
A group of academics have challenged Vancouver's Historic Areas Height Review, which recommends city council permit buildings on several sites to exceed the existing height allowance to further the long-standing goal of densification, supported by consecutive city councils.
Green building: where to live? (Cambridge)
Are cities the best place to live? Are suburbs OK? A fight grows in urban planning, with Harvard at the center.
Affordable housing, parks to receive budget boosts from city council (The Vancouver Sun)
Vancouver City Council will decide Tuesday where to spend its $337-million capital budget, with priority going to creating affordable housing, community centre developments and more park space. The budget will also provide funding to support the city’s green initiatives, including improvements to cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, work on sewer separation and initiatives related to the solid waste plan.
A new tool for fighting rural sprawl (Crosscut)
Developers can already buy up development rights in farmland and nearby forests, transfering the rights to increase density in cities and towns. This new proposal from Cascade Land Conservancy would tap the increased taxes to help pay for urban infrastructure and amenities. It solves economic and legal issues that have held back such transfers.
Top 10 Nations With Clean Power - Hydropower, Nuclear or Small Populations Figure Heavily (treehugger)
Apropos of President Obama's intent to have 80% of US electricity come from clean power sources by 2035, GE has just released a graphic detailing to the top ten countries with the cleanest energy sources.
Gallery: 5 Up-and-Coming Canadian Cities (The Vancouver Sun)
Here are five Canadian cities on the up and up.
The future of transporation funding in uncertain times (Planetizen)
In this Q&A, urban planning professor Mitchell Moss explains how budget crises at the federal, state and local levels will affect transit funding in New York City and other places.
First Full Bamboo School in Philippines Stands Up to Tough Stormwinds (inhabitat)
A new school in the Philippines (where they know quite a bit about buildings being blown down by powerful tropical winds) has done one better by utilizing a flexible, storm resistant material that is also locally grown and rapidly renewable - bamboo.
Glass-Clad Bike Transit Center Opens in Downtown Washington DC (inhabitat)
A newly-opened bike station in the heart of Washington, DC has been likened to an eye, a bike spoke and even a bike helmet. The glass-enclosed station sits adjacent to Union Station, where it makes low-impact commuter travel a reality.
Friday Feature: Naomi
Who are you and what do you do? My name is Naomi Buell and I do marketing and business development for VIA Architecture. I also try to make people laugh whenever I get a chance.
What made you decide to go into your field?
I was taking communications at school and found it to be too theoretical and not applicable enough for me and my friend told me she thought I would like business. Once in business I realized that I had always been a marketer, right from my days coming up with slogans for my Kool-Aid stands (No PST, GST or MSG).
What did your family think of your chosen field?
As an only child I think they would have been proud of me no matter what I did. Having recently helped my mom with her business cards and e-mail signature though, I think she is happy I chose marketing. My dad has always encouraged my writing skills so anything that connects me and words together seems to make him happy.
Who is the teacher who had the most influence on you and why?
I had two marketing teachers that taught me so much in University. I later found out that they were actually husband and wife which just seems to make sense. They were both very knowledgeable helpful and encouraging and had the best marketing assignments. My one professor told me “there is no such thing as the general public” which means you can’t market to everyone so you better find out who your target market is. I think about that at least once a week.
What was the biggest hurdle you faced along your educational path? (academic, financial, motivational, family or peer pressure, outside distraction, etc.)
Definitely financial. I mean don’t get me wrong business school is challenging but filling out Student loan forms was way more stressful.
What inspires you?
A good song on a beautiful day.
What schooling is required for success in your career?
I have a degree in business but any degree in marketing or communications gets you off to a good start. I would suggest choosing a school with a co-op program or do an internship as companies will want someone with experience.
What kind of people are the most successful in your field? Are there any specific attributes?
You should be creative and innovative and understand people. Having an eye for design is a great attribute as well.
What is the best advice you were ever given?
I personally am a fan of the secret. Positivity breeds positivity. I truly have found that you can achieve anything that you put your mind to.
Is your field growing? (ie. is there room for new entries and is there career growth?)
There will always be a need for marketing and there are new specializations for social media marketing and that field is certainly growing.
What advice would you give someone considering a career like yours?
Well I may be a little biased but I would say go for it because it is the best career ever. It’s fun, you get to do so many different things and so far I have found that the other people in it, the ones you get to work with are pretty awesome to.
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