A Laboratory of the Future Human Experience
The traditional suburban office park — a cluster of homogeneous, cubicle-filled buildings surrounded by large parking lots and highways — is dying in the US.
As more corporations flock to cities, they are vacating these office parks, many of which were built in the 1980s.
Roger Sherman Architecture + Urban Design explores the idea of a year-round recreational area for kids of all ages in Ronkonkoma.
Parking lots and similar structures have been a popular battleground for urbanists and architects in their quest to reclaim urban space as they often represent large tracts of unused land that offer little existing aesthetic contribution. Arguably the ParkingPLUS proposals in Long Island, which are a follow-up to 2010′s Build a Better Burb competition, encourage behaviors that have created more livable downtowns while combining personal and public transit in striking new configurations. Though these proposals to reinvigorate a 4,000 sq ft parking lot are still mere pipe dreams right now, each was carefully examined for cost and suitability to each area’s needs, making them a possibility for the future. (Pics)
Continue reading… “Parking lot design challenge aims to revitalize urban areas”
Towns move back to the concept of a walkable multiuse town center.
Demographic shifts and changing values will increase demand for pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use communities in both urban and suburban settings, according to John McIlwain of the Urban Land Institute. “The age of suburbanization and growing homeownership is over,” McIlwain said in a recent report, “Housing in America: The Next Decade.” “The coming decades will be the time of the great reurbanization as 24/7 central cities grow and suburbs around the country are redeveloped with new or revived walkable suburban town centers.” This transition will be fueled by the growth of two-person households, an end to baby boomers’ suburban infatuation, and public policies designed to stimulate compact development. In his report, McIlwain points to four key demographic trends to watch going forward:
Continue reading… “4 Key Demographic Trends with the Housing Demand”
If you live in Denver, know that you’re envied.
Continue reading… “Most Popular Big City In America: Denver”
