April has been a very busy month. I spent a couple of weeks in Buenos Aires and Santiago, where I gave a couple of lectures and presentations, I met some really interesting new people and reunited with old colleagues and mentors.
I gave the lecture: Belfast Encadenada: Autopistas, disturbios y suburbios en Santiago y Buenos Aires.
In Buenos Aires I presented it in the Instituto de Arte Americano within Facultad de Arquitectura Diseño y Urbanismo of Universidad de Buenos Aires. Thanks to Mario Sabugo and the Institute for the invitation and to all the audience for a very lively discussion about the politics of urban renewal.
To see the presentation please got to the youtube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKMI-m8cQkg

In Santiago, I presented the paper at Facultad de Arquitectura, Diseño y Estudios Urbanos de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Many thanks to the dean Pepe Rosas for the invitation and to Macarena Ibarra for facilitating the meetings with the doctorate programme of architecture and urban studies. Many thanks to the audience for raising new issues about conservation and motorways in a broader perspective.

Walking the city session aiarg2016

Many thanks to aiarg2016 for organising a great conference in Cork and to the speakers for their very interesting contributions to the session.
Adam d'Arcy, Kate Buckley, Tony Duggan and Mairtin D'Alton we will keep in touch!
Thanks Miriam Fitzpatrick for one more successful collaboration.

http://aiarg2016conference.com

AIARG 2016 Session 7 - Walking the city: Streets vs Motorways

A series of very good abstracts were sent to the session, but only 4 papers could be accepted. Thanks to all those who submitted their proposals and congratulations to Adam D'Arcy, Tony Duggan, Máirtín D’Alton and Kate Buckley. 

Looking forward to seeing you in Cork in January.

www.aiarg2016conference.com/

The quote of the week. Jan Gehl

And today a contemporary classic. Jan Gehl on walking

"The planning of long, straight pedestrian routes should be avoided. Winding or interrupted streets make pedestrian movement more interesting. Additionally, winding streets will be better than straight ones to reduce any wind disturbance."

Gehl, Jan,  Life between buildings, using public space,  Island Press, Washington, London, 2011 (Danish 1971) p141

Jan Gehl is an internationally well respected planner and was responsible for the transformation of Copenhagen into a walkable city. His work is very influential and has transcended national boundaries. In general I would agree with most of his observations, but this one written in 1971 seems not only romantic but limited. Yes, winding streets can be very interesting and it is very enjoyable to walk through a path that is continually changing. However this remark ignores the relevance of the great thoroughfares of 19th century grand plans, which accomodate diversity in the context of a long straight road. What about Champs Elyseés? Paseo de Gràcia? Avenida de Mayo? Unter den Linden?
More on Jan Gehl to come soon.

Motorways removed

This is worth a share. Increasing numbers of cities accross the world rethinking public space through the demolition of motorways. Ideas for Belfast?

http://gizmodo.com/6-freeway-demolitions-that-changed-their-cities-forever-1548314937

Alley activism!

http://gizmodo.com/how-alleys-are-becoming-pathways-to-urban-revitalizatio-1575922287

Happier cities

When investment in public transport infrastructure beats roads. Bogotá case study.
The secrets of the world's happiest cities http://gu.com/p/3kvze

Street Sections Kilkenny

A greatly productive day in Waterford with Miriam Fitzpatrick and a good group of students. One more city, Kilkenny, analysed by its street sections. Soon I will be uploading the students' work on the website. Thanks Miriam and students!

Building age map of the Netherlands

Fantastic map of the Netherlands by Bert Spaan. Each building has a color code showing its age. The differences between cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam are evident and clearer than ever.

http://citysdk.waag.org/buildings/#52.0753,4.331,13