Steve left before the other shoe dropped. The solution Kunstler proposed
involves multi-disciplinary, community-based planning rather than the
policy and engineering-based planning that has prevailed since WWII. He
ofered up visuals of new communities that have been recently built using
traditional (pre-WWII) planning concepts. Andre Duany and Elizabeth
Plater-Zyberk are the main proponents of the "new traditional town"
movement. The Randall Arendt workshop planned for this weekend--a
commmunity-based planning exercise--is a possitive step for Moscow.
Steve, it's easy to be skeptical and disillusioned, also.
Bruce
On Mon, 26 Feb 1996, Steve Cooke wrote:
> Dear Visionaries,
>
> I attended the 1st hour of Kunstler presentation on Th night on rural towns.
> I was standing in the hall and did not get a good look at a lot of
> the slides. However, from what I heard, Kunstler is very good at
> criticizing the development of Saratoga Springs, NY since 1945. He is
> quite systematic in pointing out what is wrong with the changes in
> development styles in the past 50 yrs. He had lots of examples.
>
> I kept waiting for the other
> shoe to drop. For example, what were the forces that caused these
> type of changes rather that maintaining the status quo. What was the
> thinking. What can be done to avoid these problems?
> One theory offered was that the country suffered a
> collective community design stroke after WWII. Funny? Yes. Helpful?
> Well, I am not so sure.
>
> Perhaps the solutions Kunstler is suggesting were implicit in the
> criticism. I would like to have had them made more explicitly. To me,
> criticism is an easy game to play. We can all get a good laugh at the
> boobeoisie. But after we are done laughing and feeling smug, then
> what? It seems like we are left feeling more alienated than before w/
> no greater understanding or plan of action. Who needs that? I'll pass.
>
> Others reactions?
>
> Steve Cooke
>
> > Dear Susan and Visionaries:
> > Mea culpa. Who'da thunk it--Jazz feastival and an overflow crowd! The
> > Jazz fest folks were probably wondering where all those people were.
> > This was only the second SRO crowd we've ever had for a lecture--Susan
> > went to the other one, Steve Badanes. I wish there was a great and large
> > lecture hall on campus. Any suggestions?
> > I hesitate to review the lecture, I kinda have an insider's
> > perspective--I'd enjoy someone else's view.
> > Bruce
> >
> > On Fri, 23 Feb 1996, Palmer Susan wrote:
> >
> > > Many of us we unable to get into the SRO "How to Mess Up a Town"
> > > presentation last night...even county planning commission members!
> > >
> > > So, would anyone who DID get to hear the presentation provide a summary
> > > to the list? I don't know if the local media were there to cover the
> > > program.
> > >
> > > To the Architecture Dept.: Although I don't know the seating capacity
> > > of the Forestry room, past experience coupled with last night indicates
> > > that during the school year, your programs are successful and well attended.
> > > I know it's Jazz Festival week, but future programs may require greater
> > > seating capacity, yes? Or perhaps compiling a video library of the
> > > programs?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Susan
> > >
> > > *---------------------------------------------------------------------*
> > > | |
> > > | Susan Palmer Education Programming |
> > > | Phone: 208-885-6616 Coordinator |
> > > | FAX: 208-885-9494 Women's Center |
> > > | E-mail: susanp@osprey.csrv.uidaho.edu University of Idaho |
> > > | Alias: Auntie Nuke Moscow, Idaho 83844-1064 |
> > > | |
> > > | "People convinced against their will, hold the same opinion still" |
> > > | |
> > > *---------------------------------------------------------------------*
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>