tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916143620741450652024-03-12T19:42:30.415-04:00URBANaficionadoUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-18891085768493586962009-12-11T12:34:00.019-05:002009-12-12T14:18:03.220-05:00Empowerment 2.0<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:arial;">With transit fare hikes being a hot topic in the city this fourth quarter, Torontonians are finding new ways to express their ideas and discontents. The benefits of social media seem to be measured by the amount of action TTC Chair <a href="http://www.adamgiambrone.ca/"><i>Adam Giambrone</i></a>'s Facebook page receives daily - where thousands of Toronto residents have access to him directly voice their concern on the City's biggest service.</span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This online forum allows for real-time conversations and provides anonymity to citizens to voice their concerns. It is even able to attract those who are not politically inclined to participate and to do so in the comfort of their homes, expanding on the idea of the public forum by creating a digital one. Traditional forms of capacity building and the empowerment are done in a new way, addressing concerns with the goals of facilitating change in their communities.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SyKOZaeZdnI/AAAAAAAAAgg/5vjpzqFAvAk/s400/social-networking.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 236px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414046269307450994" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Use of social networking around the world (courtesy of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Weboptium)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I had a chance to speak with Mr. Giambrone - when he wasn't busy wearing TTC Chair or Ward 18 Councillor hats - about this new form of communication for the City and if it is a useful forum for him to inform decisions. As he is active in posting and responding, and with the public participation being there, he simply declared, "It works for me."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Not all Councilors utilize this resource, but think of the change it would bring to the political process for the city, and any metropolitan area for that matter. It would be a responsible move to react to these changes but even Giambrone questions, "</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">I don't know how many councillors will respond." </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">It would be beneficial for a politician to have an online presence to interact with their constituents, and equally beneficial for them to participate in the discussions. Although this movement isn't mainstream yet, it proves to be a great forum to voice your opinions and add to the discussions happening within your city. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I challenge you to find your local politicians on <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.facebook.com"><i>Facebook</i></a> and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.twitter.com"><i>Twitter</i></a>. If you can't, then bug them to get connected! With life moving at a 21st century pace, it should be part of their job description. </span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-166237730072958442009-12-10T23:13:00.017-05:002009-12-11T11:15:56.532-05:00New York Street Design<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SyHJTyczraI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/ienPp26o93I/s400/streetdesignmanual.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 258px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413829568873344418" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Earlier this year, New York City</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">’</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">s Department of Transportation released their Street Design Manual, with the purpose of being a guide towards quality design and sound implementation. After defining street typologies, the document continues to outline how people interact with the space, the materials used, and aesthetics, specifically lighting and furniture considerations.</span></span></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The manual</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">’</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">s overall goals are:</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i> 1. </i></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Design for Safety: Move people and goods safely.</i></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>2. </i></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Design for Access and Mobility: Accommodate all street users,giving priority to the most energy– and space efficient modes.</i></span></span></span></span></div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>3. </i></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Design for Context: Respond to neighborhood character.</i></span></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>4. </i></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Design for Livability: Create a vibrant public realm with high–quality public spaces.</i></span></span></span></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>5. </i></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Design for Sustainability: Contribute to a healthier andmore sustainable environment.</i></span></span></span></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>6. </i></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Design for Visual Excellence: Create coherent and harmonious streetscapes.</i></span></span></span></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>7. </i></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Design for Cost–Effectiveness: Provide the greatest possible </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><i>value to the public.</i></span></span></span></span></span></div></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">These ideas are expanded upon <i><a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/nycdot_streetdesignmanual_quickref_design_policy.pdf">here.</a></i></span></span></span></span></p><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SyHJh7zn2DI/AAAAAAAAAgY/JG9NtsygqQ0/s400/nyc+street+plan.jpg" style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 400px; " border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413829811903125554" /> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:arial;font-size:small;">These guides are fun reads as they look towards innovations and successes from cities all around the world, attempting to apply international ideas to their respective city. After all, a good design can work anywhere. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Street Design Manual can be found via New York City</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">’</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">s<a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/streetdesignmanual.shtml#download"><i> DOT. </i></a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-31850500181655531352009-12-09T14:21:00.001-05:002009-12-10T23:36:02.209-05:00Google SketchUp Pro 7<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I just upgraded to SketchUp Pro 7 and have been playing around with it for most of the day. I love being finished school for the semester :0) </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Since my work on it isn't as good as the SketchUp promotional photos, I will post this video explaining what you can do with version 7.1 instead. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6LFnxT98-WM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6LFnxT98-WM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Shout outs to Google for making it so easy and so free (monetarily speaking). </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Download via <a href="http://sketchup.google.com/"><i>Google SketchUp.</i></a><i> </i></span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-42938713707654091302009-12-08T22:24:00.000-05:002009-12-08T23:23:54.137-05:00Wonderwall Inc.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/Sx8c0fb6hWI/AAAAAAAAAfk/bD-z7cofG8c/s400/fred-perry-moscow-wonderwall-retail-1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413076965239981410" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Fred Perry Moscow by Wonderwall</span></span></i></span><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I had to post this. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I'm a sucker for retail store design - boutiques, in particular - and after doing some reading I found out that a single firm is behind creating the retail identity of several of my favourite brands.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Out of Japan, Wonderwall is the leading firm in the retail design business, creating unique experiences within commercial spaces all over the world since 2000. Their work isn't limited to interiors as they also have creative direction over architectural design.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/Sx8gObPQETI/AAAAAAAAAfs/9zxKzoobo7M/s400/apc-kita-aoyama-wonderwall-store-1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 282px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413080709324607794" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:arial;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">A.P.C. store in Kita-Aoyama, Tokyo</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">View portfolio via <i><a href="http://wonder-wall.com/#project/en">Wonderwall.</a></i></div></div></span></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-16801799704619455462009-12-08T21:40:00.000-05:002009-12-08T22:18:50.224-05:00Frank O. Gehry "since 1997" Exhibition<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/Sx8OMqQPCiI/AAAAAAAAAfc/KnQGlw6OkV8/s1600-h/fg04.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/Sx8OMqQPCiI/AAAAAAAAAfc/KnQGlw6OkV8/s400/fg04.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413060887786228258" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Walt Disney Concert Hall, 1999 -2003 @ 1:50 scale<br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry is being honoured with his first exhibition entitled "since 1997" currently on display at the <a href="http://www.triennale.it/"><i>Triennale Design Museum</i></a> in Milan</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">. The collection, co-curated by Gehry himself,</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> brings together a selection of his iconic projects and attempts to explore how the buildings interact with its surrounding environment and human scale. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I don't know about you, but this scaled version of the Walt Disney Concert Hall would look great in my living room. Regardless, it's nice to see architecture make its way into art galleries. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">More photos via <i><a href="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/9/view/7688/frank-o-gehry-since-1997-exhibition.html">DesignBoom</a>.</i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">For a glimpse inside Gehry's creative process, watch the Sydney Pollack directed documentary, <i>Sketches of Frank Gehry</i> <a href="http://www.bigvidpro.com/?v=DE85JNIJ-iIXGQFGj23D2A"><i>here</i></a>. </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-14611952175145452052009-12-08T18:04:00.001-05:002010-08-27T11:34:21.502-04:00The future of pedestrian navigation<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ps49T0iJwVg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ps49T0iJwVg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">An App brings the New York subway system to the palm of your hand. To make things even easier for your day trip to the city, there are additional Apps that now include </span></span><a href="http://www.presselite.com/iphone/newyorksubway/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>amenities</i></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> as well - changing the way we interact with our cities!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The world is ours. Well, New York at least. </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-53943669411799969982009-12-08T16:51:00.000-05:002009-12-08T21:45:08.522-05:00Better late than never, Utah<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(153, 153, 153); line-height: 18px; font-family:arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"We wanted to find out if cities are moving in the right direction, if they're realizing what they do in regard to land use </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(153, 153, 153); line-height: 18px; font-family:arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">and transportation actually has a public health impact."</span></i></span></div></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">This story brings me back to my half-completed thesis project as it takes a look at the built environment and how it affects citizens’ health. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">There are healthy lifestyle movements happening in cities all over the world, but no coordinated effort to plan healthy, walkable communities. We are required to take time out of our day to drive to a gym to run in a single place - there is something not very practical with that picture. If a healthy development plan was inherent, this would change the way people interact with cities, benefiting us in the long term, also promoting a more sustainable lifestyle - prompting us to walking to school, to amenities or even having live/work arrangements. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">The following illustrates a place starting from the basics, with several neighbourhoods even lacking sidewalks. Poor design and weak policies are promoting sedentary lifestyles keeping neighbourhoods unhealthy and contributing to the rising Body Mass Index (BMI) levels.</span></span></span></p><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/Sx7OIoR7DkI/AAAAAAAAAfM/Fy828_hsO3s/s320/utah+bmi.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 313px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412990449792781890" /> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">These ideas are explored through Utah, but think of your neighbourhood when reading this, especially if you’re the type to drive everywhere.</span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Via </span><a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_13940503">The Salt Lake Tribune</a></span></i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-76480433756711095792009-12-04T23:47:00.000-05:002009-12-05T00:41:09.694-05:00Best in Shoe* The Work Boot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/Sxnntu3rwEI/AAAAAAAAAfE/25wSBs_QQjs/s1600-h/artful-dodger-pair-intro-62.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/Sxnntu3rwEI/AAAAAAAAAfE/25wSBs_QQjs/s320/artful-dodger-pair-intro-62.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411611200124076098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-family:arial;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Show the street who's boss in a pair of work boots this winter. Mine came in the mail today!</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">For variety's sake, check out <a href="http://www.gq.com/style/wear-it-now/200912/best-leather-boots-winter-essentials#intro"><i>GQ</i></a> magazine's recent feature on the American work boot. </span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-73717195070349750272009-12-02T13:36:00.000-05:002009-12-05T00:44:56.517-05:00Art:21: Place<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/Sxaz8c-m5rI/AAAAAAAAAe0/9cs5ZutGu04/s1600-h/serra-sculpt-004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/Sxaz8c-m5rI/AAAAAAAAAe0/9cs5ZutGu04/s400/serra-sculpt-004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410709853484541618" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Richard Serra's </span></span></span><span class="title"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Torqued Ellipse VI" (</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">1999)</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#999999;">From the Art:21 website:<br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(128, 128, 128); line-height: 17px; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"Artists explore the idea of place by questioning commonly held assumptions about land, home and national identity."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;font-size:small;">Watch <a href="http://video.pbs.org/video/1230660017"><i>here</i></a><i>. </i></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-12733115229483300332009-11-20T12:06:00.000-05:002009-12-06T22:16:03.411-05:00Climate Change Adaptation<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Excuse the lack of posts as of late. The semester is winding down and I have been nose-deep in climate change reports for my Environmental Management course.</span></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Although this is school-related stuff, the material is progressive and noteworthy in a planning sense. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Adaptive capacity Indicators include:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:arial;">economic resources</span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:arial;">availablitiy of and access to technology</span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:arial;">information</span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:arial;">skills</span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:arial;">degree of prepardness of infrastructure and institutions</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Simply put, the more developed an area, the better they stand against the effects of climate change. These indicators differ in adaptive capacity based on subregions and sectors and the speed of reaction to these changes, as climate change can happen faster than our adaptation. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">The multidisciplinary collection of experts behind the </span></span></span><a href="http://www.ipcc.ch/index.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>IPCC</i> </span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">AR4 report point out that the role of institutions (ie. universities, government, etc.) is important in enhancing long-term adaptive capacity with the goal of making adaptation mainstream by including it in all forms of policy for planning processes. This must be informed by taking into consideration current vulnerabilities and future changes.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">With that said, climate change is currently incorporated into long-term planning and decision making processes within </span></span></span><a href="http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/air/climatechange/adaptation.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>conservation authorities</i></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> (such as stormwater management) and<i> </i></span></span></span><a href="http://www.toronto.ca/health/airquality/smog/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>public health departments</i></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> (in the form of smog alerts). North America has historically been "reactive," to cope with these changes instead of being focused on preventative measures.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> Using Global Circulation Models, coupled with several different emission scenarios, the IPCC researchers predict a future that will boast temperatures exceeding 30</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">°</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">C, with most of the warming happening in the winter season.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SxawKIKQgTI/AAAAAAAAAek/5vA2wZzhG1k/s400/warming.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 328px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410705690367918386" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">With ageing urban infrastructure found in all cities around the world, modifications required for adaptation involve retrofits to update and enhance how we live in urban centres.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SxawZg2g_CI/AAAAAAAAAes/RI_FEZyJdZc/s400/infra.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 351px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410705954694036514" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">The implications carried through the various related reports recommend climate change be factored into all long-term plans as it is hailed as a reality by this Nobel Prize-winning intergovernmental panel of experts. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">More literature on adapatation and Ontario municipalities can be found </span></span></span><a href="http://adaptation.nrcan.gc.ca/projdb/pdf/176a_e.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>here</i></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>.</i></span></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-79187964611471984492009-11-14T15:03:00.000-05:002009-12-08T17:55:04.175-05:00Vancouverism<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/Sv8QJ4JammI/AAAAAAAAAcc/WE-_wg1KFzM/s1600-h/living.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/Sv8QJ4JammI/AAAAAAAAAcc/WE-_wg1KFzM/s400/living.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404055839744629346" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">L</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">iving Shangri-La is Vancouver's tallest building. Designed by James KM Cheng Architects Inc. (Photo by Uncle Buddha via Flickr)</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I've seen this term being thrown around in various architecture readings, but never really knew what the term encompassed. Here is what I've learned:<br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">"<a href="http://www.vancouverism.ca/vancouverism.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Vancouverism</span></a> is characterized by tall, but widely separated, slender towers interspersed with low-rise buildings, public spaces, small parks and pedestrian-friendly streetscapes and facades to minimize the impact of a high density population."</span></i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(83, 83, 83); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Wedged between the sea, mountains and the US border, Vancouverism is truly a product of its </span></span></span><a href="http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/BYLAWS/odp/dd.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">environment</span></i></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.archnewsnow.com/features/Feature177.htm"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here</span></i></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> is an interesting comparison between New York's modern architecture and Vancouver's neomodern styles and the policies that allow them to exist. </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#535353;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And if you didn't know before, you do now. </span></span></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-28720023391629004812009-11-11T21:17:00.000-05:002009-12-05T00:46:14.638-05:00Hosang Park's 'A Square'<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SvtyqLLMaxI/AAAAAAAAAcU/VOEx2D4t8eA/s1600-h/hosang.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SvtyqLLMaxI/AAAAAAAAAcU/VOEx2D4t8eA/s400/hosang.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403038246840855314" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); line-height: 14px; font-size:11px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; font-size:11px;color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">From Seoul, South Korea, Hosang Park's photographic series </span></span></span><i><a href="http://www.hosangpark.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">A Square</span></span></span></a></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> articulates how public spaces blend in with urban living environments.</span></span></span></span></p><div class="article_links" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-77858283334535508902009-11-06T21:43:00.001-05:002009-12-05T00:43:50.510-05:00Blueprint America: Road to the Future<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SvTgVZDl_oI/AAAAAAAAAcM/6FIyTH_AmLU/s1600-h/blue.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 232px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SvTgVZDl_oI/AAAAAAAAAcM/6FIyTH_AmLU/s400/blue.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401188511231901314" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Featuring Denver, Portland and New York</span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span>This episode of PBS' documentary series </span></span></span><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Blueprint America</i></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i> </i>examines the United States' investment in its aging infrastructure and changes that are happening now by looking at several American cities and the systems they have created. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Watch </span></span></span><a href="http://video.pbs.org/video/1127425638"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>here</i></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>.</i></span></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-15141661010473644122009-11-06T18:03:00.000-05:002009-12-05T00:44:43.923-05:00Toronto wins 2015 Pan Am Games<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SvTbtTnJMYI/AAAAAAAAAcE/G9ahnnEJ5-k/s1600-h/banner-top.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 89px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SvTbtTnJMYI/AAAAAAAAAcE/G9ahnnEJ5-k/s400/banner-top.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401183424529117570" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:arial;">What are the <a href="http://www.toronto2015.org/">Pan Am Games</a> you ask? Well, it's known as somewhat of a prequalifier for the Olympics held every four years, the year before the big Games. Participants from the Americas and Caribbean compete in multi-sport events. With a history of losing two Olympic Games and two Commonwealth Games, this victory seems bittersweet.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SvTampA2uyI/AAAAAAAAAb8/W2QYi5pYAc4/s400/facts.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 321px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401182210503392034" /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Courtesy of the </span><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/sports/amateur/story/2009/11/06/sp-pan-am-bid.html?ref=rss"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">CBC</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">The Games will bring a $1 billion athletes' village in the West Donlands which includes a component of affordable housing after the games and develop sports infrastructure to the region in the form of a new aquatics centre with two 50-metre pools and a separate diving tank plus a high-performance sports training facility at the U of T's Scarborough campus. This will contribute to the health of our residents and to Toronto's identity as a city with world class facilities.<br /><br />The Games will surely be good for tourism and<i> </i><a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/panamgames/article/722020--hume-give-us-the-games-we-need-the-subway"><i>potential public transit advances</i></a><i> </i>but will it cost us money or make us money?</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Whatever happens post-2015, Toronto's <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/720191--a-vision-beyond-2015-pan-am-games?bn=1"><i>vision</i></a> of the future is grand. </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-80736787983434223682009-11-04T21:54:00.001-05:002009-12-05T00:46:43.172-05:00PublicART: Eagles in the City<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SvJABhwaRSI/AAAAAAAAAb0/DxvLj3EBanY/s1600-h/eagle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SvJABhwaRSI/AAAAAAAAAb0/DxvLj3EBanY/s400/eagle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400449298156111138" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">(Photo by LK Cavers)</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">W</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">hen visiting Vancouver a few months back, it was hard not to notice the 7</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">½ foot bald eagles taking over public spaces every several intersections (and in places you would least expect). </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Modelled after other similar city art projects, 'Eagles In The City' intends: </span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(48, 36, 17); font-family:Verdana;font-size:13px;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-style: italic; font-family:arial;">To create an event that provides maximum exposure to sponsoring organizations, artists and the recipient charity</span></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">To invite tourists from around the world to visit our province and share in our culture</span></span></span></i></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">To produce an event that encourages the 'Arts', local businesses and individuals to come together in a spirit of community fundraising, benefiting the important work of the BC Lions Society's Easter Seal Services.</span></span></span></i></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">To generate artistic creativity and showcase BC artists</span></span></span></i></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">To celebrate the cultural diversity of our province and promote civic pride</span></span></span></i></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">To capture the imagination of children, adults, and tourists alike</span></span></span></i></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">To raise much needed funds to provide Easter Seal Services to children with disabilities</span></span></span></i></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">There seems to be a lot more done about showcasing homegrown artists and their projects in B.C. than there is here in Toronto. Correct me if I'm wrong... Perhaps I should ask the <a href="http://internethug.blogspot.com/"><i>Buttercup girls</i></a>.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">More about this public art project can be found</span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.eaglesinthecity.com/default.aspx?PageID=1004"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">here</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">For more about Vancouver's Public Art Program <a href="http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/oca/Publicart/index.htm"><i>proceed this way</i></a>. </span></span></span></span></i></div></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-63654286361817939512009-11-04T21:29:00.001-05:002009-12-05T00:47:04.834-05:00Dubai from the sky<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Via Jeff Staple's blog. More photos</span></span></span><a href="http://stapledesign.com/?p=4002"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">here</span></span></i></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SvI5JHcvKFI/AAAAAAAAAbs/iF9Tmz9DRrQ/s400/dubaiheli3.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400441731951831122" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">The tallest building in the world: Burj Dubai Tower</span></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-42897531516964442592009-11-04T20:41:00.000-05:002009-12-05T00:47:26.738-05:00Ontario's Top 20 Worst Roads<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SvIwdsJjqNI/AAAAAAAAAbk/iLORT39dVVI/s1600-h/Potholes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SvIwdsJjqNI/AAAAAAAAAbk/iLORT39dVVI/s400/Potholes.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400432189796231378" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Driving down Steeles Avenue east from my girlfriend's place reminded me to post this </span></span></span><a href="http://www.caasco.com/community/worst-roads/top-20-worst-roads.jsp"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">link</span></span></span></i></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> from CAA's website released last week. The list of the Province's worst roads include eight in found in Toronto alone, topped by my route home today. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 18px; font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:14px;"><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Toronto is planning a $10 million resurfacing of Steeles Avenue pending the approval of Federal infrastructure stimulus funding. A hefty $139 million of Toronto's annual budget goes towards road repairs, but they have been suffering from a $300 million roadwork backlog. </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This is what it costs to make Toronto's roads drivable (courtesy of </span></span></span><a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/680495"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>The Star</i></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">):</span></span></span></p><ul style="list-style-type: square; margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2em; "><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">$25 Average cost to repair one pothole<br /></span></span></span></i></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">275,000 Potholes fixed by the city in 2008<br /></span></span></span></i></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">$6 million Cost of pothole repairs annually in Toronto<br /></span></span></span></i></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">$7,000-$10,000 Annual cost of preventative patching, routing and sealing 1 km of new four-lane road<br /></span></span></span></i></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">$110,000 Cost of applying new overlay to the same stretch (year 15, or earlier if the preventative work has been neglected)<br /></span></span></span></i></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">$650,000 Cost of full reconstruction of road (year 20 if neglected; year 40 otherwise) </span></span></span></i></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#999999;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The cold, unforgiving Canadian winter is coming and these conditions will surely get worse. This doesn't look good, Toronto.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div></span></i></span></div></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-33858775282152137402009-11-04T19:46:00.000-05:002009-12-05T00:49:14.391-05:00Broadband Infrastructure: A Primer<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">This decade's development of broadband infrastructure is changing the our cities and how one can operate within it. I found myself checking my e-mails and F</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">acebook all while eating noodles at a restaurant for breakfast this morning all under their cozy wi-fi umbrella. I was reminded of how well connected we are when the topic of who was starring as </span><i><a href="http://marvel.com/universe/Thor_(Thor_Odinson)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">The </span></a></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><a href="http://marvel.com/universe/Thor_(Thor_Odinson)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Mighty Thor</span></a></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> in the upcoming Marvel Studios film came up and within 10 seconds, the answer was </span></span></span><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1165110/"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">found</span></span></span></i></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Instant gratification! This isn't even mentioning the 3G networks available - I've already started taking this information resource for granted!</span></span></span></div><div><div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SvIrqcO_I-I/AAAAAAAAAbc/Zbv88b3G83w/s400/wifi.gif" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400426911304197090" /><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><i>bzzt bleep bloop: </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:x-small;">Diagram of the City of Milwaukee's WiFi Network</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;"><i>"The internet has become part of our nation’s mass transit system: It is a vehicle many people can use, all at once, to get to work, medical appointments, schools, libraries and elsewhere."</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">With </span><a href="http://www.newgeography.com/content/00885-telecommuting-and-the-broadband-superhighway"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">telecommuting</span></i></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> an option, benefits include less impact to the environment and the enhancement of live/work situations, among several found outlined in Ottawa's </span></span></span><a href="http://www.ottawa.ca/city_services/planningzoning/2020/bb/6_0_en.shtml"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">20/20 Broadband Plan</span></i></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">. With constant innovative advancements and mobile web capabilities, this resource has changed the way we live and is destined to become more accessible with </span><i><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_40/b3902057_mz011.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">municipalities developing this infrastructure</span></a></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> fu</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">rther. </span></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-28328821018242546072009-11-04T19:19:00.000-05:002009-12-05T00:48:58.170-05:00Urbanspoon App<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SvIbSGRLIfI/AAAAAAAAAbU/XzKaHLRBMJY/s1600-h/urbanspoon-iphone-app.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 362px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SvIbSGRLIfI/AAAAAAAAAbU/XzKaHLRBMJY/s400/urbanspoon-iphone-app.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400408900904886770" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It's amazing how often this </span></span></span><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=284708452"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>App</i></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> comes in handy - and can lead to fun and exciting new discoveries in food!</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Even more fun, they've got restaurants from all of the surrounding municipalities in their database. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Bon appetit</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> anywhere!</span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-86117071126671109082009-10-31T15:54:00.000-04:002009-12-05T00:49:25.828-05:00City Fabric: Outlier<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SuyXmpcmF3I/AAAAAAAAAbM/2I9SfevDNLE/s1600-h/outliermain.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 209px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SuyXmpcmF3I/AAAAAAAAAbM/2I9SfevDNLE/s400/outliermain.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398856743526995826" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">"Tailored performance clothing for cycling in the city"</span></span></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SuyXmpcmF3I/AAAAAAAAAbM/2I9SfevDNLE/s1600-h/outliermain.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"></span></span></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">New York-based <a href="http://outlier.cc/">OUTLIER</a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> is a brand aimed at the urban dweller concerned about classically tailored garments made with the best technical fabrics around. They focus on producing clothing that works from the bike to the boardroom.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 20px; font-size:13px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:small;">Outlier strives to create that timeless look that will work well tomorrow and for seasons down the road.</span></div></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-67864094300367384442009-10-31T14:42:00.001-04:002009-12-05T00:50:20.874-05:00Campus Walk: York University<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SuyGjNxUuOI/AAAAAAAAAa0/MAA6BWsb_9Y/s1600-h/DSC00132.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SuyGjNxUuOI/AAAAAAAAAa0/MAA6BWsb_9Y/s400/DSC00132.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398837992860465378" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The Ross Building's framed gateway which beyond it reveals a courtyard<br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Ross Building is an example of what 1960s and 70s architecture looked like and has been criticized as looking like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brutalist_architecture">slabs of concrete piled on top of each other</a>. It has a charm to it, doesn't it? Walking around campus, you will notice the several different architectural styles it employs based on the era the particular building was built. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">After this enjoyable autumn stroll, expect me to elaborate on the University's architectural styles in the coming weeks.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;">I think I'm going to need a better camera.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-19276702356631271822009-10-31T13:48:00.001-04:002009-12-05T00:50:52.082-05:00Markham's Sustainability Fair<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:arial;">Last weekend I attended the Town of Markham's first ever <a href="http://www.markham.ca/Markham/Departments/NewsCentre/PubMtg/091024_sustainabilityfair.htm"><i>Sustainability Fair</i></a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SuyOXXGgghI/AAAAAAAAAbE/y8Jerff2x0A/s400/DSC00124.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398846585299829266" />This call was answered by the Town's residents, councillors and other notable municipal figures. Through their </span></span></span><a href="http://www.markham.ca/greenprint/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Green Print</i></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> sustainable plan, Markham intends on becoming a municipal leader by encouraging social well-being, a flourishing culture, economic success and a healthy environment. More importantly, they stressed the need for residents to get involved to develop a long term plan for these healthy sustainable communities. Markham's overarching goal is for the individual resident to reach his or her's full potential living in the Town.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#666666;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Being held on the<i> </i></span></span></span><a href="http://www.350.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>International Day for Climate Change</i></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>,</i> Markham made explicit their concerns with the changing climate, and how its infrastructure can cope with these changes.<br /><br />McGill University's </span></span></span><a href="http://nsb.com/speakers/view/avi-friedman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Dr. Avi Friedman</i></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> (also one of *Wallpaper Magazine's 10 people </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">“most likely to change the way we live”)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> spoke on sustainability and what can be done in Markham to enhance the Town's connectivity and contribute to the health of the residents. His theme - and what has been the theme of the week - is that collectively, we have lost our way. Friedmann got nostalgic and stressed the need to revert back to the old ways of living where markets would come to the people, living in bi-generational neighbouhoods, and town squares built for neighbours to congregate all contribute to our social network. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/SuyMNFkkmoI/AAAAAAAAAa8/2MNRvmN5gKA/s400/DSC00123.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398844209772141186" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">"Communities are about social networks - not housing." - Avi Friedman<br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br />This inspiring speech was what Markham needed to get started on creating a sustainability plan. Small group activities followed, allowing for Town staff and residents to collaborate and voice their concerns in a constructive manner on various topics (such as water conservation, social equity and so on). This was the first of several meetings to develop the Green Print so stay tuned! </span></span></span></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-80850799958338927592009-10-31T13:24:00.001-04:002009-12-05T00:51:06.677-05:00Top 5 Comic Book Cities<object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7218371&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7218371&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/7218371">AJ Top Five: Comic Book Cities</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user902512">The Architects' Journal</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-78179870941174139252009-10-30T14:29:00.000-04:002009-12-05T00:51:33.992-05:00Making Sense of Place<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/Suto37eMPDI/AAAAAAAAAas/l1zzjACG7hg/s1600-h/banner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 175px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/Suto37eMPDI/AAAAAAAAAas/l1zzjACG7hg/s400/banner.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398523888400088114" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><i><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">From the</span></span><a href="http://www.lincolninst.edu/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> Lincoln Land Institute of Land Policy</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> website: </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Making Sense of Place is a documentary film and educational outreach project launched by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. The first film, </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.makingsenseofplacefilms.com/phoenix.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Phoenix: The Urban Desert</span></span></a></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0HEj4Yb-tQ&feature=related"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">examined explosive, dispersed growth in the booming Southwest metropolis and the practical and environmental issues that have accompanied. The second film, </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.makingsenseofplacefilms.com/cleveland.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Cleveland: Confronting Decline in an American City</span></span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">, traces urban decay, and efforts at revitalization, in what was once America's 5th largest city. </span></span></span></i><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Recently, </span></span></span><a href="http://www.makingsenseofplacefilms.com/portland.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Portland: Quest for the Livable City</span></span></i></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> was released exploring innovation and conflict about growth and land use regulation in the self-proclaimed "City that Works" Portland, Oregon.</span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591614362074145065.post-28087626132406768602009-10-30T14:16:00.001-04:002009-12-05T01:00:44.844-05:00For you city joggers out there<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Adaptation is the best footwear. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/Susucz0D__I/AAAAAAAAAak/aiWQ-RtwSmk/s1600-h/jockology.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 339px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-RwHxzf52eA/Susucz0D__I/AAAAAAAAAak/aiWQ-RtwSmk/s400/jockology.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398459650813460466" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Guess you won't be needing those <a href="http://www.upscalehype.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/kanye-west-louis-vuitton-photoshoot-by-la-mjc-08.jpg.jpeg">Louis Vuittons with the red bottoms</a> anymore.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">See what I mean </span></span></span><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/will-running-on-concrete-increase-my-risk-of-injury/article1342046/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>here</i></span></span></span></a></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0