Earlier today while walking back from the corner drugstore with my Sunday copy of the Plain Dealer I passed the local coffee shop and overheard (as is my nature when wandering around town) a small group discussing the current rise in gas prices to which one gentleman mentioned that "They" have their foot on our neck and there is nothing that we can do about it.
While one could argue about whether "they" are doing anything or that "they" have a reasonable amount of control for gas prices the more interesting portion of the comment was that we, as a society, are limited in our response to fuel costs. While some may argue (see the Sunday Forum section) that the comparison of European to American fuel prices is an apples to oranges comparison (true, they (Europe as a generalization) have more stringent regulation on emissions, insurance costs, efficiency, infrastructure and pedestrian livability in urban areas) the greater questions is whether a new era of gentrification will be forced upon us as a way to re-centralize urban areas to decrease our dependency on automotive use. By this I mean simply a re-organization of urban centers to create a more symbiotic balance between where we live and where we work.
Poised to capitalize on higher fuel costs are of course inner ring suburbs that rely on the major urban center to provide areas of work and production to balance regions of residential space needed to support them. The concern is that many of these inner ring suburbs are community strongholds that, while perhaps not as strongly intertwined to be considered a proper "ghetto" there is still very strong recognition of the community with its identity. This is the perceived stranglehold. Not that raising fuel costs will directly affect the cost of goods (they will) and services (oh yeah, that is going to be reflected too) but that the affected populace (commuters) are part of communities. They can identify with their community. They have family, friends, favorite places to hang out, shops, libraries, schools, the inferred safety of the familiar. These are not easy things to give up.
Recently I was able to sit in on a studio jury at the Kent State CUDC where the premise of the semester project was an interjection of various community development strategies (theoretically based) in order to re-invigorate the city of Parma, Ohio. Overall many of the projects were based upon an interjection of alien usage (a college, entertainment structures, production facilities) to create a closed loop system that displaces the need for those who live in Parma to be trapped as commuters to Cleveland, instead they have the ability to find sustenance (economic and productive) locally, thereby decreasing dependence and reliance upon the automobile.
If you wanted to you could see the projects displayed at Parmatown Mall.
So in fact, the stranglehold that "they" may have upon us due to rising fuel costs are actually opportunities for communities to turn inward, to strengthen their identity and find reasonable need and direction for attracting businesses. So while there is in some aspects this sense of not having control, there are in others more opportunity to re-invigorate the old town centers, to capitalize on the old main streets by offering greater reasons for people to work and more importantly SHOP local. It will be up to local governments to consider their zoning, consider their infrastructure and their populace in order to support this precipitous swing. The future economy may cause it to be difficult for people to afford to gas up their vehicles and continue the lifestyle of the commuter and if that happens inhabitants of communities will have to weigh what is more important to them. Where they are living or where they are working, either way someone is going to lose. The important part is to plan for when those choices have to be made.
Already the housing market is reflecting the trend of utilizing commuting statistics to reflect perceived housing values. While in general the housing market is in (what some may generously call) a slump, recent studies have shown that housing prices closer to urban centers (Boston and Washington D.C. as primary examples) have remained steady and in fact shown increasing home values while those in "bedroom communities" have found planned speculative development halted due to the housing crisis.
If smaller local communities could develop a self-sustaining business model they may be fortunate enough to draw office or even manufacturing business as a way to shore up the residential properties. What would this result in? Perhaps more concentrated urban centers, possibly with duplicate amenities, that would have to be interconnected in order to share goods and services that could not be geographically isolated. This would mean more efficient infrastructure (rail) and a controlled sprawl technique, centered around a small city model. Imagine more centralized communities, each with their own flavor, easily and quickly connected by rail service that would allow inhabitants to walk or bike to work, spend more time with their family and have a vested interested in their place of business as they would be tied closely to the business's success (it would directly affect the health of the town).
Utopian? Perhaps, but if these communities were close enough together to begin to blend into a band of communities, again based upon centralized infrastructure than perhaps infrastructure costs could be shared and duplicate amenities would not be needed. This may be the direct definition of regionalism on a micro controlled scale. The bigger question is, how do we get the businesses to buy into the communities that most of their workers hail from AND how do we attract more people to live by businesses that are already vested in their communities?
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Public Toilet; up for Architecture Prize
Once in a while a project may be nominated for recognition that garners a special sort of appreciation. Not only may the project itself be interesting but the solution may well surpass the sort of attention that the program may suggest.
With that in mind a special tip o' the hat goes to Plastik Architects for being shortlisted as one of eight projects in RIBA's Regional Awards.
The project? A public toilet (or loo if you want to use the local vernacular) located in Parrock Street Car Park.
There is something tremendously special about paying that sort of attention to such a small project and making such a wonderfully large statement. A firm that can exemplify large intentions with such a small medium deserves recognition.
BBC via Archinect
With that in mind a special tip o' the hat goes to Plastik Architects for being shortlisted as one of eight projects in RIBA's Regional Awards.
The project? A public toilet (or loo if you want to use the local vernacular) located in Parrock Street Car Park.
There is something tremendously special about paying that sort of attention to such a small project and making such a wonderfully large statement. A firm that can exemplify large intentions with such a small medium deserves recognition.
BBC via Archinect
Rain Barrel Workshop
Rain Barrel Workshop
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Nature Center at Shaker Lakes
2600 South Park Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44120
Noon-2pm and 3-5pm
Many local municipalities are starting to realize that if the home/landowner will assume the responsibility than there is no reason to not allow the home/landowner to install their own rain collection system such as a rain barrel.
Rain barrels provide a easy to install and relatively cheap way to collect rain water runoff from the roof of your house, garage, barn to use to irrigate your lawn and garden.
Come to the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes for a workshop where you receive the instructions and materials to construct one rain barrel. Cost is $30 for members, $45 for non-members.
To register call 216.321.5935
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Nature Center at Shaker Lakes
2600 South Park Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44120
Noon-2pm and 3-5pm
Many local municipalities are starting to realize that if the home/landowner will assume the responsibility than there is no reason to not allow the home/landowner to install their own rain collection system such as a rain barrel.
Rain barrels provide a easy to install and relatively cheap way to collect rain water runoff from the roof of your house, garage, barn to use to irrigate your lawn and garden.
Come to the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes for a workshop where you receive the instructions and materials to construct one rain barrel. Cost is $30 for members, $45 for non-members.
To register call 216.321.5935
Thursday, April 24, 2008
CIA-Design Spring Show Reception
CIA - Design Spring Show Reception
Friday, April 25, 2008
JMC Building, 11610 Euclid Ave, Cleveland
5.30-8.30pm
RSVP: events@cia.edu
OHIO Rideshare - now for bikes
I am not entirely sure who started implementing the Ohio Rideshare Carpooling Assistance Program for Northeast Ohio but creating an online member based community to coordinate carpools seems like a ridiculously smart idea. I suppose then that it shouldn't really come as too much of a surprise that given the recent increase of interest in cycling to work (whether from increased fuel concerns, health concerns, environmental respect, financial reasons or just because sometimes it is quicker and less stressful) that our friendly folks over at Ohio Rideshare created a Bike Buddies component where you can find people who share your route so that you can travel as a "bike pack". Statistics support that safety increases when cyclists travel in packs, specifically in areas without designated bike lanes as they make for a much larger, shall we say, target that is more difficult for drivers to not notice.The Bike Buddies program allows you to enter in your starting location and destination, the times of your commute and whether you would feel more comfy with a male or female cycling friend. The site then generates a map showing a suggested route as well as an approximation for locations of other cycling commuters. You contact those "potential bicycling buddies" through email via the OhioRideshare website.
There is also a plethora of fine links at the BikeBuddies website including safety, training and planning tips. You can also register there as well.
More Resources:
Sacramento Transportation Management Association - Bicycle Commuting
Bike Commute Tips Blog
Commute by Bike Tips on Freshening Up (after a commute to work)
Ohio City Bicycle Co-op
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Happy Earth Day
Be the change you want to see!Who's your Ohio Senator?
Ohio House of Representatives
Don't forget to catch the premiere of Return of the Cuyahoga tonight at 9.00pm on WVIZ. Interesting how closely knit Cleveland is to the birth of the modern environmental movement. Learn more by tuning in!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Carolyn Strauss Reminder
Carolyn Strauss of slowLab
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008
Westfield Insurance Studio Theatre at Ideastream
1375 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
6.00pm
Brought to us by MOCA-cleveland
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008
Westfield Insurance Studio Theatre at Ideastream
1375 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
6.00pm
Brought to us by MOCA-cleveland
From Rustbelt to Windbelt Rally
Green Jobs Rally
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Great Lakes Science Center
Gathered around the ol' Wind Turbine
601 Erieside Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio
4pm to 7pm
What if our languishing manufacturing based was turned around to churn out wind turbines, solar cells, hydrogen electrolysis equipment, tidal power generators, heck even prefabricated building components? What if we as a region took advantage of our proximity to a shipping channel, highway infrastructure, workforce and to a rather large portion of the rest of the county (in terms of being declared a "local supplier for LEED points")? How about utilizing our many strong research colleges and institutions who are all interested in exciting new ideas to create a strong intellectual base for idea generation? What if we took advantage of our natural renewable resources such as wind and solar power to remove some of our burden on coal generation and nuclear plants?
Seems like quite a bit of potential right there, eh?
Come on out and join 10,000 Little Ideas to Believe in Cleveland in a public rally to show support to make Northeast Ohio a leader in Sustainable manufacturing and usage. If you time your day properly you can still make the slowLab lecture at Ideastream later in the evening.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
The Districts of Destination - Art Districts removing the Artist
If only it were as simple as urinating on every street corner to demarcate what properly belongs in what particular district. I continue to become agitated every time I run across an article that states a specific neighborhood is re-branding themselves as a particular district, mostly because they are all competing for the same district title, the vacuous "arts district".
From an urban standpoint well defined districts can initialize growth in a variety of ways. The first and foremost is that by offering a destination of similar retail/experience typologies visitors who realize they are in the mood for "something" but are not sure exactly "what" can visit a certain location with relative certainty that they will stumble across what they are looking for. By not becoming too specific with boundary relationships these districts also allow for an area's perimeter to ebb and flow depending on market of goods/experiences being sold within the district (such as an antique district or entertainment district).
Financial districts are usually extremely rigid with their boundaries because visitors have an expectation for what will be experienced and Financial Institutions gain legitimacy through longevity. Since financial institutions are typically comprised of functions enclosed within one particular office there isn't much "window shopping", instead visitors typically arrive with a specific portion or business of the district in mind as a destination. They take care of their business and leave. The collection of financial districts arose from the historical precedence of having to discuss face to face with your financiers and business partners who may have been from competing institutions. Nowadays the financial district exists because we expect it to, there is a historical precedent of bank and money market buildings that we have been conditioned to see in any burgeoning downtown. While not necessary a financial district still allows for competitors to meet over lunch and drinks and talk about how they are spending everyone else's money. It is a luxury and an expectation and shares infrastructure (parking, access, etc) similar to and possibly with a local business district which has evolved under closely similar terms.
Central Business Districts are typically speculative office structures that were built based upon perceived amenities and shared infrastructure to then be leased out for profit, clustered around office headquarters (usually named buildings) for corporations. While generally located in a downtown location recent market values have made the ubiquitous "suburban office park" model more profitable generally due to cheaper land values, tax abatements and freedom from the "perceived" dangers of an urban environment. While not necessarily a district, the office park model does fit most of the criteria laid out for calling itself one however for the reasons of this diatribe I will concentrate on the Central Business District. The Central Business District, in conjunction with the Financial District was the reason for the major urban boons. By locating workers in one centralized location offices were able to use economies of scale as well as ease of communication to keep businesses running efficiently. Most Central Business Districts also housed headquarters for many of the major retailers in the Retail Districts which would weave in and out of the Central Business District creating a symbiotic relationship of downtown occupancy and livelihood. The Retail Districts and the Central Business Districts were inseparable until recent years when the advent of the shopping mall and the growth of the suburbs drove much of downtown retail from the urban core.
Manufacturing Districts were typically segregated from the rest of the urban core, locating themselves based upon ease of access to transport and raw materials. There was little daily interaction between the other districts and the Manufacturing District as working hours and the typical uses were much different. Manufacturing Districts were able to capitalize on a burgeoning urban center to draw its labor force yet would sometimes relocate these very citizens to grow onto occupied land adjacent to rivers or open fields that would be needed for business expansion. Manufacturing was also a major income generator for many regions and was therefore able to yield tremendous power in shaping the encroaching city.
Now, the Arts District. The most fluid and short lived of all the districts. Typically the Arts District is an "abandoned" area, left over from the Manufacturing, Business Districts or ethnic communities to be occupied at little or no cost by those studying or working in the creative arts fields. These area/structures offer large, undecorated and raw spaces to be transformed by the occupant to fit the occupant's vision. They are typically closely off the beaten path adding to the allure of "subversion" that would add to the inferred "creative ability" of the artist to "see things differently than everyone else". While infrastructure in terms of transit of people and goods were important these Art District's typically fostered a strong sense of community as true spaces where people would live and work.
The major concern with the Art's District is at once dangerous and exciting. When the area becomes important enough to make financial sense for development, whether to capitalize on the existing artists or create the sense of arts for the economically mobile to seem part of, the district will then face gentrification. While it was possible to surmise that some of the tenants had purchased their structures to rehabilitate and make livable it would be even easier to accept that those that could not afford the gentrification were then evicted and forced to find new homes. Art Districts will then be transformed into condos or live/work lofts (titles which still confuse me) and priced well above the previous rents in an attempt to allure those that could afford it into an existing creative district without the realization that the newcomers were in fact displacing those that had given the area it's creative fervor. It almost becomes worrisome when a new neighborhood is called an "art's district" if only because the next logical step would be the removal of the artists. While it makes some financial sense to chase after a Creative District title (since it is difficult to disprove what isn't a creative field and people seem willing to pay more for the opportunity to rub elbows with creative people) it seems a tragic misnomer to constantly push away those that created the area's new history in the first place.
While the district brand for any area is understandable, the question should arise what the area hopes to do once accepting any sort of district title. Is an honest effort to be made to continue the original intent or are districts almost a sort of ploy, to hope to capture the attention of visitors at the price of the inhabitants? Can the new district live up to it's expectation and can it consistently offer inhabitants and visitors reasons for staying? There are plenty of case studies of either example and they should be paid careful attention before a neighborhood or community recreates itself (especially when surrounded by like branded districts) as to what the actual INTENT of the branding is.
From an urban standpoint well defined districts can initialize growth in a variety of ways. The first and foremost is that by offering a destination of similar retail/experience typologies visitors who realize they are in the mood for "something" but are not sure exactly "what" can visit a certain location with relative certainty that they will stumble across what they are looking for. By not becoming too specific with boundary relationships these districts also allow for an area's perimeter to ebb and flow depending on market of goods/experiences being sold within the district (such as an antique district or entertainment district).
Financial districts are usually extremely rigid with their boundaries because visitors have an expectation for what will be experienced and Financial Institutions gain legitimacy through longevity. Since financial institutions are typically comprised of functions enclosed within one particular office there isn't much "window shopping", instead visitors typically arrive with a specific portion or business of the district in mind as a destination. They take care of their business and leave. The collection of financial districts arose from the historical precedence of having to discuss face to face with your financiers and business partners who may have been from competing institutions. Nowadays the financial district exists because we expect it to, there is a historical precedent of bank and money market buildings that we have been conditioned to see in any burgeoning downtown. While not necessary a financial district still allows for competitors to meet over lunch and drinks and talk about how they are spending everyone else's money. It is a luxury and an expectation and shares infrastructure (parking, access, etc) similar to and possibly with a local business district which has evolved under closely similar terms.
Central Business Districts are typically speculative office structures that were built based upon perceived amenities and shared infrastructure to then be leased out for profit, clustered around office headquarters (usually named buildings) for corporations. While generally located in a downtown location recent market values have made the ubiquitous "suburban office park" model more profitable generally due to cheaper land values, tax abatements and freedom from the "perceived" dangers of an urban environment. While not necessarily a district, the office park model does fit most of the criteria laid out for calling itself one however for the reasons of this diatribe I will concentrate on the Central Business District. The Central Business District, in conjunction with the Financial District was the reason for the major urban boons. By locating workers in one centralized location offices were able to use economies of scale as well as ease of communication to keep businesses running efficiently. Most Central Business Districts also housed headquarters for many of the major retailers in the Retail Districts which would weave in and out of the Central Business District creating a symbiotic relationship of downtown occupancy and livelihood. The Retail Districts and the Central Business Districts were inseparable until recent years when the advent of the shopping mall and the growth of the suburbs drove much of downtown retail from the urban core.
Manufacturing Districts were typically segregated from the rest of the urban core, locating themselves based upon ease of access to transport and raw materials. There was little daily interaction between the other districts and the Manufacturing District as working hours and the typical uses were much different. Manufacturing Districts were able to capitalize on a burgeoning urban center to draw its labor force yet would sometimes relocate these very citizens to grow onto occupied land adjacent to rivers or open fields that would be needed for business expansion. Manufacturing was also a major income generator for many regions and was therefore able to yield tremendous power in shaping the encroaching city.
Now, the Arts District. The most fluid and short lived of all the districts. Typically the Arts District is an "abandoned" area, left over from the Manufacturing, Business Districts or ethnic communities to be occupied at little or no cost by those studying or working in the creative arts fields. These area/structures offer large, undecorated and raw spaces to be transformed by the occupant to fit the occupant's vision. They are typically closely off the beaten path adding to the allure of "subversion" that would add to the inferred "creative ability" of the artist to "see things differently than everyone else". While infrastructure in terms of transit of people and goods were important these Art District's typically fostered a strong sense of community as true spaces where people would live and work.
The major concern with the Art's District is at once dangerous and exciting. When the area becomes important enough to make financial sense for development, whether to capitalize on the existing artists or create the sense of arts for the economically mobile to seem part of, the district will then face gentrification. While it was possible to surmise that some of the tenants had purchased their structures to rehabilitate and make livable it would be even easier to accept that those that could not afford the gentrification were then evicted and forced to find new homes. Art Districts will then be transformed into condos or live/work lofts (titles which still confuse me) and priced well above the previous rents in an attempt to allure those that could afford it into an existing creative district without the realization that the newcomers were in fact displacing those that had given the area it's creative fervor. It almost becomes worrisome when a new neighborhood is called an "art's district" if only because the next logical step would be the removal of the artists. While it makes some financial sense to chase after a Creative District title (since it is difficult to disprove what isn't a creative field and people seem willing to pay more for the opportunity to rub elbows with creative people) it seems a tragic misnomer to constantly push away those that created the area's new history in the first place.
While the district brand for any area is understandable, the question should arise what the area hopes to do once accepting any sort of district title. Is an honest effort to be made to continue the original intent or are districts almost a sort of ploy, to hope to capture the attention of visitors at the price of the inhabitants? Can the new district live up to it's expectation and can it consistently offer inhabitants and visitors reasons for staying? There are plenty of case studies of either example and they should be paid careful attention before a neighborhood or community recreates itself (especially when surrounded by like branded districts) as to what the actual INTENT of the branding is.
City Fresh Monday - Food Systems and Climate Change
Topic: Food Systems and Climate Change
Facilitators: David Benzing, Professor of Biology, Oberlin College
Joe Logan, President of Ohio Farmers Union
Description: Over the past couple of months, we have seen an alarming growth of food access issues globally. At the core of rising food prices are rising fuel prices and changes in climate that have produced difficult growing conditions in some parts of the world. How will a transition to a post-carbon economy affect our approach to food systems? Can local food systems provide a proactive response to climate change? What are some of the dynamics of climate change and what might climate models suggest about impacts on food systems in Northeast Ohio? How can farmers provide a proactive role in growing materials for renewable energy or sequestering atmospheric carbon.
Schedule: 6:00-6:30 Meet, network, and enjoy snacks, refreshments
6:30-6:45 Announcements, welcoming, multi-media
6:45-7:45 Discussion on food systems and climate change
7:45-8:00 Social networking, collaborating, and imbibing
Location: Great Lakes Brewing Company, Basement beer cellar
2516 Market Ave, Cleveland 44113
Next Up: Why it makes sense to preserve farmland and the real costs of development on May 19, 2008
Forum Ideas: Would you like to host or facilitate a forum? Is there a topic that you would like to suggest? Please contact brad@gotthenac.org with ideas!
Facilitators: David Benzing, Professor of Biology, Oberlin College
Joe Logan, President of Ohio Farmers Union
Description: Over the past couple of months, we have seen an alarming growth of food access issues globally. At the core of rising food prices are rising fuel prices and changes in climate that have produced difficult growing conditions in some parts of the world. How will a transition to a post-carbon economy affect our approach to food systems? Can local food systems provide a proactive response to climate change? What are some of the dynamics of climate change and what might climate models suggest about impacts on food systems in Northeast Ohio? How can farmers provide a proactive role in growing materials for renewable energy or sequestering atmospheric carbon.
Schedule: 6:00-6:30 Meet, network, and enjoy snacks, refreshments
6:30-6:45 Announcements, welcoming, multi-media
6:45-7:45 Discussion on food systems and climate change
7:45-8:00 Social networking, collaborating, and imbibing
Location: Great Lakes Brewing Company, Basement beer cellar
2516 Market Ave, Cleveland 44113
Next Up: Why it makes sense to preserve farmland and the real costs of development on May 19, 2008
Forum Ideas: Would you like to host or facilitate a forum? Is there a topic that you would like to suggest? Please contact brad@gotthenac.org with ideas!
Lifted directly from the notice because I was too lazy to reword.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Earthfest 2008 - Climate Change Solutions and the Walk or Bike for the Earth
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Earthfest 2008
10am - 5pm
$7 adults
$4 age 2-11
free for ages under 2
Free admission if you Walk or Bike for the Earth
Registration form I hope you all filled out WAY in advance.pdf
or
Ride the FREE RTA Clean-Air bus between Public Square and the Zoo.
The theme of the event is Climate Change Solutions and will have the following exhibits and displays:
Local and Organic Food Area
Clean Transportation Area
Children's Area
Eco Area-Non Profit Organizations
Green Home Improvement Area
Environmental Science Area
Party with the Planet Entertainment Area
You can check out the official Earthfest 2008 website.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
1/3 Movie Night - You and Me and Everyone We Know
Thursday, April 17th, 2008
1/3 Movie Night
You, Me and Everyone We Know
@
Bella Dubby, Lakewood
7.30pm
Part of LAUNCH Cleveland
Monday, April 14, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Cuyahoga Community Land Trust Green Cottages Orientation
Saturday, April 19th
4100 Franklin Blvd. - Lutherna Family Services Bldg
Cleveland, OH 44113
Ohio City Neighborhood
12.00 pm
The Green Cottages are new energy efficient houses located in EcoVillage on Cleveland's West Side. The Cuyahoga Community Land Trust works to ensure affordable housing to families looking to partake in the American Dream of home ownership.
This Saturday there is an orientation for those looking to purchase through the Land Trust program. You can determine if you qualify on the Land Trust Website.
There are upcoming events where one can help support the CCLandTrust such as the Eat Well, for a Good Cause May 19th at Johnny Mango Restaurant where if you give this .pdf to your server 20% of your purchase (from 11am to 10pm) will benefit the Land Trust.
**There is another orientation on April 29th @ 6pm on 4100 Franklin Blvd too.
4100 Franklin Blvd. - Lutherna Family Services Bldg
Cleveland, OH 44113
Ohio City Neighborhood
12.00 pm
The Green Cottages are new energy efficient houses located in EcoVillage on Cleveland's West Side. The Cuyahoga Community Land Trust works to ensure affordable housing to families looking to partake in the American Dream of home ownership.
This Saturday there is an orientation for those looking to purchase through the Land Trust program. You can determine if you qualify on the Land Trust Website.
There are upcoming events where one can help support the CCLandTrust such as the Eat Well, for a Good Cause May 19th at Johnny Mango Restaurant where if you give this .pdf to your server 20% of your purchase (from 11am to 10pm) will benefit the Land Trust.
**There is another orientation on April 29th @ 6pm on 4100 Franklin Blvd too.
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