Paths Through Albuquerque

Paths though Albuquerque, a photo by Eric Fischer on Flickr.

More data visualization awesomeness of Albuquerque from Eric Fischer.

Enter 2012

Above: Mesa del Sol is shaping up

Working as a planner has certainly hampered my ability to sit and write like I used to do. I've primarily been responsible for writing comprehensive plans and area plans in areas around the state. Despite my continued interest in issues related to the metro area, I have found it quite difficult to dedicate the necessary (desired?) time to UrbanABQ. However, the start of 2012 also begins with a new job opportunity that will allow me be more involved in projects that directly effect our city and metro. I will certainly try harder to post more often, particularly on projects in which I can provide an insider's perspective. I will also try harder to post on topics that readers will be interested in and will be more inclined to comment/critique/etc.

Happy new year, everyone.

Tim

Urbanized

Possibly the finest cinemotography dedicated to urban planning issues. A must see for those in the field or interested in our developing world.

Inbound/Outbound Migration

Forbes has released its latest interactive map using 2010 Census data. Similar to last year, we're pulling from Florida, the Midwest, East, and Southwest, while hemorrhaging to Texas, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest. Texas for jobs and the others for creative class, urban centers (i.e. more emphasis on quality of life and less on jobs)? My wish for 2012 is that we begin to see investment in the quality of the built environment so that people will move here for the quality of life and not just for work. I believe this happens to some extent, but quality of life needs to become a part of our brand.

Shop Local for the Holidays

I'm loving the mayor these days. He referred to the "built environment" of our city in his State of the City address, displaying his increasing sensitivity and understanding of urban issues. He's now putting our money where his mouth is with his continued support for ABQ the Plan. An initial $20 million for the convention center, $1 million to complete an environmental impact statement for BRT along Central Ave, and now money for both the completion of the 50-mile bike loop around the city as well as for "river work." It is not clear if that's the boardwalk that was originally supported by the committee or not. Regardless, I'm already on board. Lastly, there's been commercials dedicated to encouraging people to shop locally for the holidays. The City has gone an extra step by providing free street parking in three city neighborhoods; Nob Hill, Downtown, and Old Town.

In other news, la Tejana Susana helped the Downs obtain a 25-year lease on Expo NM, with the unrivaled proposal to add a casino near the intersection of Central and Louisiana. Naturally, the brilliant plan set the new structure behind a sea of parking. While most people hoped for more, the outcome was about par with the golden nuggets coming out of Santa Fe these days. It's sheer unimaginative, conservative, old thinking, and there's no excuse for it given the level of interest and the prime location. (photo courtesy of the Albuquerque Journal)

Urbanized

I desperately wish this film was being screened in the Duke City.

Healthy Urbanism

A quote from Peter Calthorpe's recent book, Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change, that I feel is a perfect metaphor for the current condition of many of our cities - and Albuquerque certainly resembles these remarks:

"Urbanism so defined has been on the wane for the last half century. Our cities and towns have been on a high-carbon diet - and our metropolitan regions have become, in short, obese. Oil is like a high-sugar and high-starch diet for cities; it expands the waistline without nourishing strength or resilience. Urban neighborhoods are like healthy diets: they build on unique places and local history, they use natural ingredients and mix them well, they tend toward local sources, and they are lean. America's postwar suburbs are like fast food: their history and sense of place trumped by mass production; their ingredients dominated by a few generic staples; their resource distant and large; and their infrastructure highly subsidized. Our urban footprint-its physical size and resource demands - has expanded in unsustainable ways for too long."