Island Press Field Notes blog

Island Press Field Notes

Photo of brick building

By Erica Sánchez Vázquez / On November 22nd, 2019

Your building has the potential to change the world.

Buildings in Detroit

By Erica Sánchez Vázquez / On August 30th, 2019

My Kind of City reflects the breadth of Hank Dittmar's experience in working for better cities for people.

Vancouver

By Erica Sánchez Vázquez / On August 23rd, 2019

In Soft City David Sim, partner and creative director at Gehl, shows how cities with well-designed density can result in a higher quality of life.

By Jada Mosley / On May 14th, 2019

Vacant lots, so often seen as neighborhood blight, have the potential to be a key element of community revitalization. As manufacturing cities reinvent themselves after decades of lost jobs and population, abundant vacant land resources and interest in...

By Jada Mosley / On February 15th, 2019

Before we can create vibrant, sustainable urban areas, we need to understand what naturally happens when people congregate in cities.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

By Katharine Sucher / On September 21st, 2018

Around the world, countries marvel at the Netherland’s impressive cycling culture and infrastructure while an insidious “that would never work here” attitude prevents real change from happening. But the Dutch overcame many of the same challenges as other...

By Katharine Sucher / On December 15th, 2017

For decades, collaborative design has helped enliven neighborhoods and promote racial, economic, and social justice. But in an era marked by climate change, growing income inequality, and major advances in technology, designers are acknowledging the...

By Katharine Sucher / On December 8th, 2017

Cities across the globe have been designed with a primary goal of moving people around quickly—and the costs are becoming ever more apparent. The consequences are measured in smoggy air basins, sprawling suburbs, a failure to stem traffic congestion, and...

Photo credit: Shutterstock

By Katharine Sucher / On July 14th, 2017

Excess asphalt contributes to stormwater runoff, which can carry pollutants into water bodies and overwhelm sewer systems. As more and more cities reclaim street space for human life and habitat and enact far-reaching plans to address climate change,...

Washburn

By Katharine Sucher / On June 9th, 2017

In Within Walking Distance, journalist and urban critic Philip Langdon takes an in-depth look at six walkable communities—and the citizens, public officials, and planners who are...

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