Why Build a Parklet?
They’re called parklets but they’re often more like outdoor café dining areas. These sidewalk extensions are parklets because of their roots. In 2005, the clever folks at ReBar had a plan to take back some … Continue reading
Oakland City Center Walk
The California Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) is hosting a conference in Oakland this weekend and I’ll be there. Well, I’ll be here because I live and work in … Continue reading
Longfellow Neighborhood, Oakland
This week, my office is moving from the Longfellow neighborhood in Oakland. Each day I take a walk through the area and, in the three years I’ve been here, Longfellow has … Continue reading
Uptown Oakland keeps getting better.
Named a Great Neighborhood by the American Planning Association, Oakland’s Uptown continues to soar. Last Saturday, I took a walk with the California Planning Foundation to find out why. The conversation started with … Continue reading
Shipping Container Village at The Yard
The Giants are opening a new party pop-up today, across McCovey Cove from AT&T Park. It’s called The Yard. I asked my friend, the designer and manufacturer of the destination’s shipping container buildings, … Continue reading
Eighteen Gates
I have a fascination with gates. They’re doors but when you pass through them, you’re not indoors. What could be better? This week, I give you Gates of the East … Continue reading
Berkeley Rocks
You really have to see Berkeley’s rocks. Ancient rock outcroppings are not so unusual in California, but the way North Berkeley’s neighborhoods integrated the boulders into the built landscape is pretty awe-inspiring. Indian … Continue reading
Art, Anti-Fracking & Asian Food
Density, diversity, and being part of a larger urban context enlivens Oakland and other Bay Area Cities and makes them exciting places to live and visit. Saturday, Jan and I skipped the … Continue reading
five-one-oh 