ARTICLES
The Original Articles archives of CharacterTowns.org presents papers that discuss practical and conceptual ideas for designing, building and managing character towns and small cities that are interesting, pleasant and prosperous places for residents, businesses and visitors.
Amanda Burden: How public spaces make cities work
FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail
America Household Demographics and the Housing Market
The composition of the American household, from a macro perspective, drives or should drive the housing market. The composition is described by the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual data report in its American Community Survey. The housing industry’s response to household composition, directly and indirectly, informs the number, type and location of new dwellings built, the […]
Americans Go to the Library More Than Anywhere Else.
New survey data found that library visits outstripped all other activities measured, including going to the movies or museums. Americans went to the library an average of 10.5 times in 2019, beating out trips to movie theaters, sporting events, national parks, museums and zoos. According to a new Gallup poll, libraries were almost twice as […]
Amphitheaters, Entertainment al fresco.
Every park should have an amphitheater, formal or not, big or small; but a place for families to enjoy performances from children, clubs, friends or professionals. The Tradition. Amphitheaters have been with us for a long time; perhaps since the beginning of human existence. Formal amphitheaters go back at least to the Greeks around 600 […]
An “All of the Above” Strategy for Affordable Housing.
VISION. An important part of the American’s social contract with its citizens is that everyone can reside in an adequate, safe and sanitary home that is affordable. The vision is of a city program that focuses its attention and resources on the goal of increasing the affordability of housing for all of its citizens. STRATEGY. […]
An Article from Yahoo Finance. Hyperloop CEO reveals where the revolutionary project is right now.
The world’s first Hyperloop is likely to be built in India and construction will start at the end of next year, Virgin Hyperloop One CEO Jay Walder told Yahoo Finance. “One of the big projects that we’ve been working on right now is in India — it’s to build a route from Mumbai to Pune,“ […]
An elevated park on an old railway line. Promenade Plantée
The Promenade Plantée is a linear park spanning 4.7 kilometres built atop a disused railway line in the east of Paris. Starting from Bastille, the first part of the walkway is elevated on the Viaduc des Arts before crossing the Jardin de Reuilly. It finally goes down to ground level and through tunnels as you […]
An interview with Thomas Friedman, “Why cities matter in an age of acceleration”.
“If you want to be an optimist, stand on your head. The world looks a lot better from the bottom up than it does from the top down.” In that phrase, said at a recent Brookings event, Tom Friedman succinctly captures the nature of American democracy and governance in the 21st century. FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail
Announcement from…LSECities
LSE Cities is co-hosting two events during the World Urban Forum Transforming our cities for a better urban future, which takes place in Katowice, Poland from 26-30 June 2022. FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail
APA Great Places in America
APA’s Great Places in America offers a strong foundation for planning any small city or town. City planning can benefit greatly from the APA’s analysis of the factors that make great places. American Planning Association’s flagship program, Great Places in America, celebrates places of exemplary character, quality, and planning. The qualities used to selected great […]
Apple commits $2.5B to combat California housing crisis
Apple on Monday said it will put up $2.5 billion toward easing California’s housing crisis. The sum from Apple eclipses pledges by fellow Silicon Valley giants Google and Facebook for addressing the lack of affordable housing in a region where affluent tech workers have helped drive up the cost of homes. Apple’s commitment Monday includes […]
AR6 Synthesis Report
From…The International Panel on Climate Change [IPCC] INTERLAKEN, Switzerland, March 20, 2023 — There are multiple, feasible and effective options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to human-caused climate change, and they are available now, said scientists in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released today. “Mainstreaming effective and equitable climate […]
Arbor Day Foundation Benefits of Trees
Benefits of Trees. LINK: https://www.arborday.org/trees/benefits.cfm Trees can add value to your home, help cool your home and neighborhood, break the cold winds to lower your heating costs, and provide food for wildlife. The Value of Trees to a Community The following are some statistics on just how important trees are in a community setting. The […]
Arlington Public Library Makerspace
Discover and learn to use technology in the second floor’s makerspace area. From sewing and other traditional crafts to cutting-edge 3D printing, the Downtown Library offers something for both experienced and aspiring makers. Training is provided by Library staff. Use of the makerspace is free to library cardholders. Bring designs to life with STEM-focused technology […]
Article from The Responsible Hospitality Institute
The Global Cafe Society and Public Space Upgrades. Sociability is how we form and develop relationships. Whether in the home or in a venue, hospitality is creating spaces for people to socialize. Responsible hospitality is assuring safety, security, and community engagement in venues where people socialize to share food, drink, music and dance. FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail
How can blockchain help smart cities?
Conference Paper (PDF Available) December 2016 with 3,666 Reads DOI: 10.1109/HPCC-SmartCity-DSS.2016.0198 Conference: Conference: 14th IEEE International Conference on Smart City Blockchain: What, Why, Where And How? Excerpt: Facebook, Linked In, Twitter Tech & Political Challenges December 11, 2017 Altabel Group KRISTINA KULESHOVA – BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER How can blockchain help smart cities? by Stefan Junestrand; Architect, Grupo […]
Assessing the Global Climate in April 2022
Month tied as the fifth-warmest April on record for the globe The global surface temperature for April 2022 tied with 2010 as the fifth highest for April in the 143-year NOAA record, which dates back to 1880. The year-to-date (January-April) global surface temperature was also the fifth warmest such period on record. According to NCEI’s […]
Atlanta BeltLine
The Atlanta Beltline has been a long-time in coming and it has garnered the active support of local, regional, state and federal agencies who provided funds and support as partners. The website provides a wide-range of information about development of the Beltline. Atlanta BeltLine, Atlanta’s spectacular outdoor space, comprises 22 miles of unused railroad tracks […]
Attributes of a Social Infrastructure Plan for a Character Town.
The Mission is to Build Communities with Character. The mission of design professionals, developers and city officials who build the city is to understand how to discern and pursue the town’s vision and then, to develop a strategy that preserves, enhances or discovers the community’s character. Community-based vision drives the town’s strategy which then directs […]
Auburndale FL, A Quintessential Character Town
HISTORY. “The town was founded in 1880 by Frank Fuller and originally named Sanatoria for a hotel located here. When the railroad came to town, the town renamed itself Auburndale after a town of the same name in Massachusetts. Thousands of acres of citrus were planted and the area began to boom. Big Freezes destroyed […]