An author, journalist, and urban planning expert, James Howard Kunstler is one of the foremost social critics of our time. The Geography of Nowhere (1993) and Home from Nowhere (1996) established him as a fierce critic of suburban sprawl and the high cost of our automobile-dependant culture.
His bestselling book, The Long Emergency: Surviving the Converging Catastrophes of the 21st Century (2005) addressed the ongoing global oil crisis by exploring the sweeping economic, political and societal changes that will result from the inevitable end of access to cheap fossil fuels. He expanded on his previous criticisms and detailed the impact the crisis will have on the way we live, work, farm and build.
The 2008 publication of his 10th novel, World Made by Hand, placed those ideas and his critique in a provocative fictional setting. Given the wild fluctuations in prices and concerns over the world’s oil supply, World Made by Hand is both timely and portentous. Through the eyes of the citizens and mayor of Union Grove, Kunstler imagines what will happen in Small Town USA when the oil wells dry up, the climate changes, and the economic system collapses. While it is “grim with portent,” the San Francisco Chronicle said, World Made by Hand “is an impassioned and invigorating tale whose ultimate message is one of hope, not despair.”
Kunstler’s earlier novels include Maggie Darling (2004), Thunder Island(1989), The Halloween Ball (1987), An Embarrassment of Riches (1985), andThe Life of Byron Janes (1983).
A former staff writer for Rolling Stone, he continues to be a prolific journalist and essayist whose writings have appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, Orion Magazine, The New York Times Sunday Magazine and on Slate.com.
A native New Yorker, he resides in Saratoga Springs.
Call it kooky and kitschy but Malcolm Wells thoughtful work continuous battled with the burden that most architects and designers succumb to, an attempt to mark the land in such a way as to claim it for humanity. Well's solutions weren't in any manner simplistic, nor did they rely heavily on futuristic technology to decrease mankind's burden on the careful ecological balance of existing and "living". Instead time honored traditions and understanding of the natural world (as well as the mechanics of buildings) were continuously questioned and explored in order to develop less energy intensive systems, ones that wouldn't scar the landscape but instead celebrate it.
In this age of "green roofs" and "vertical gardens" attempting to mix nature with buildings it is interesting to to note how the idea of the earth sheltered house, as explored in the 1970's is actually a contemporary take on ideas practiced by what is generally considered non-technology societies.
I would really like someone to help me out here. How has concern for the natural environment become defined by political affiliations? Why is climate change considered a "Liberal Myth"? What makes it political enough to polarize society? Is the realization that our actions may have consequences limited to politics and political pundits?
The recent hacked emails of the Climatic Research Unit (whose link is sadly down) have been repeated and dissected to use as "spin" which devalues any information may actually have been included. Arguably this seems to be being accomplished for primarily political reasons (in the US). It makes me a little sad honestly.
I love science and data and find myself slightly repulsed by information that has been regurgitated for my consumption. Which is why I was initially excited by the leaked emails, "Finally," I thought "we can get some nuts and bolts data." which of course we didn't yet. Or at least I can't find any. I can find tons on what some talking head in Tulsa thinks about what the "liberal elites" want him to think and his reaction to what the "informed republican sources" that have dissected the emails for him want him to react but those aren't voices I am willing to listen to. Either of them. Which is probably the entire problem to begin with.
Scientific research and our federal reactions to them are viewed primarily though a political lens. It's either an "us against them" or a "them against us", very rarely is it seen as "us for ourselves by being against ourselves" which quite honestly is what it needs to come down to. There is an awful lot of spin put into what our research is telling us. For instance if manmade climate change is real (and I admit here, I believe it is) then that should be an entirely separate issue from anything else. So if our researchers and scientists are telling us this, then our belief upon it should be entirely separate from our reaction to what it means. Just because we don't like the idea of cap and trade, or energy taxes, or clean coal, or wind turbines, or global warming doesn't matter, what matters is the acceptance of the interpretation of the data.
It is then how we react from that acceptance that can become political, however when you hitch your actionable cart to a disingenuous horse based upon your political affiliations it makes you sound like a crazy person, and not crazy in that "you so crazy!" way but in the ramblings of a lunatic way. The argument needs to shift from whether or not science is acceptable to you (since you aren't doing the science you should listen to what the people who have trained for it and practiced it are telling you.) to what can be reasonably and responsibly done in order to affect our future based upon the science now.
Seriously. I am getting really sick of people telling me they do or don't believe this or that because of what they read or heard on some vapid source information (which I could list but would rather just preface by saying that anytime anyone attempts to quote something they heard on an extremist talk show as supporting fact I typically walk away before they can finish - it isn't worth my time). Lets get the facts out there and be very clear about them, apolitically, and THEN we can tear each other apart. Let's get to the truth first.
I am very interested in the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference and hope some clear information and sources come out of it. Enough so to tamper the crazy talk that we have had to listen to for the past (eight? twelve? more?) years.
This rant is brought to you by a designer who thinks that designing smart buildings and cities to maximize efficiency is not only nice for the environment (which I love to be able to live in) but for the pocketbook by minimizing long term operational, material and health costs. Crazy eh? The $ can be used for good.
Lincoln Park, Tremont Neighborhood of Cleveland Ohio
Sunday, December 6th
2 - 4pm
A rally to support pedestrian and bike access on the bridge will be held Sunday, December 6 at 2 p.m. at Lincoln Park in Tremont (W. 14th Street and Kenilworth Avenue).
Anyone interested in safe, convenient and healthy car-free access between Downtown and Tremont (and a great scenic overlook of downtown) is invited to attend. The event is free, and refreshments and entertainment will be provided. Cyclists are urged to ride their bikes, with free mechanical safety checks provided by the Ohio City Bicycle Co-op. Helmets are strongly suggested, and OCBC will have some available to borrow or purchase.
The rally will evaluate alternative walking and biking routes proposed by ODOT for the bridge and present other information about a dedicated path over the bridge. Participants will divide into groups, taking a different route from Lincoln Park to the intersection of Ontario Street and Carnegie Avenue, where a brief rally will address the issues of equity and civic interest in this nearly $1 billion project, before returning to Tremont for refreshments and discussion of strategies for further public input in this process.
After the rally, the job is not over. Please consider attending and voicing your support at a very important follow up: The December 11 meeting of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) at 10 a.m. when this local board will decide on ODOT's final proposal for funding of this project.
If you cannot make the meeting, consider sending an email, calling, or writing the Mayor's action line 216/664-2900, and the ODOT project director, Craig Hebebrand, at 216/581-2100 to let ODOT know you support biking and walking the proposed I-90/71 bridge. This huge taxpayer investment—ODOT's largest ever—will affect the places we live, work and play for the rest of our lives. Any donations to the event organizers will be used to help pay for engineering and professional services to document ODOT miscalculations of the feasibility and cost to safely accommodate pedestrians and cyclists in this project.
To be completely fair and honest I did not attend Dr. Beatley's lecture at CMNH however I was included in the 2 hour workgroup which occurred before the lecture which was more of a Q&A session with Tim Beatley and others involved in the city. Luckily Erie Wire commented on one of my posts and directed me to a podcast of the lecture so I was able to at least listen to his presentation and mentally compare it to what I had seen in his movie preview clip (The Nature of Cities) as well as what was discussed at the workgroup.
The main concern that seemed to arrive from the discussion was a dire need for policy to support the grassroots involvement brewing to alter how communities and infrastructure are planned and thought of. I admit I was looking for specific case studies to apply to our current condition (in order to fortify policy discussion) which were lacking in the workgroup.
There was discussion of risk aversion and how it affects design. Brought up by the images of a wetland park lacking railings that leads to a park in the inlet which had a hole in the center to watch the tide rise and fall, and of course the clip of the children walking/hopping along larger stones, it was commented upon how a similar situation would be hard pressed to occur in the States due to our litigious nature. Which I have to admit is a damnable shame.
It seems that as a society and more nuanced, as a local community, we withhold ourselves from attempting anything truly innovative or ground breaking, instead we are awfully careful with our development. I believe this stems from a combination of not trusting the intelligence of the general public (hence we are not treated as adults, instead we are fed morsels of safe information about projects like children) and a lack of accountability/transparency. I would suggest that bold initiatives require strong leadership and change carries a risk however if the current situation is not very good the risk/reward ratio should be tilted to accommodate more risk. The difference between "bottom" and "rock bottom" isn't that great when you have no chance of moving above a current situation due to a declining situation (ie. Cleveland's tax supported school system, public transit (as transportation infrastructure) and job base).
However, the case studies were evidently saved for the lecture and not part of the discussion, which means that it is up to us again, looking to ourselves for leadership and solutions because, let's be honest, if we don't do it, no one will.
I don't blame Beatley for not being a savior, he wasn't brought here for that. Instead he offered some glimpses into what could happen if communities were better thought out, designed and were based upon a human scale, or at least a reaction to finding our humanity. Which is a point you don't hear often when words such as "sustainability" or "green" occur. Our humanity includes the natural environment (we are animals after all) and being "green" typically saves money (in operating costs anyway), so the symbiotic nature of our coexistence with ourselves should be a pinnacle purpose of this argument. Health, Safety and Welfare shouldn't be concerned with who can get sued instead HSW needs to develop into how beneficial something is. Designing for bikes instead of cars, building places for people to be outside, children's exposure to nature, natural foods, sunlight, wind, rain, are all glorious things to celebrate. I have even heard that some people even look forward to snow. How often do we design in order to shut this all out instead of incorporating and celebrating it?
Too often.
So I thank Dr. Beatley for coming to our city, for taking the time to answer a barrage of questions, to give a presentation and to work so diligently for his beliefs (as to publish, film, teach and practice extensively). I only hope we can persuade him (and others) to spend a bit more time studying Cleveland in order to better help us formulate stronger policies and procedures.
And I ask our communities to ponder the following points as we look towards how Cleveland can resolve its livability in the future.
How do we properly educate ourselves so as to not fall into the trap of "popular marketing" and instead spend our time investigating solutions responsibly?
How can we integrate functional design in lieu of just as a spectacle in order for communities, infrastructure and buildings act not just as passive structures (to be witnessed or experienced) but active objects that interact productively with the community/region/etc.?
Which case studies can we properly look towards, emulate, adapt and make our own? Which data is imperative and applicable? How do we foster techniques to study and implement this research (ie. where is the funding from, how is it paid for, how is it validated)?
What differentiation of scale is allowable for interventions to have any affect? How do case studies scale? How are regions and communities studied and through which lens best allows for application (and how does one convince designers and clients to look past the boundaries of their property when designing these solutions)?
Last Thursday at the Case Medical Library Douglas Farr gave a brief lecture on smartly planned neighborhoods. I typically don't like to use words such as "green" or "sustainable" as they impose an aura of misplaced and misleading marketing that devalues the true intent, instead I would like to offer that Mr. Farr presented case studies and experiments in smarter urban planning with the intended goal of creating better used and useful communities. Regardless of which lens you would most enjoy peering through the end goal is to take these lessons and apply them in a manner that would benefit local community planning and development.
The crowd comprised of a few Case School of Architecture alum (which opened in 1929 and was closed in 1972, which is a shame as the City would no doubt benefit from a full local program), planning students from Case and CSU, some local architects, urban planners and community minded people who believe in strong communities. There were some noticeable people missing who shall go UNNAMED with the intent that they should already feel guilty enough about missing a local lecture on such a topic without being pointed out.
It is rather difficult to take a talk on planned communities and distill it into little memorable quotes. Luckily Mr. Farr did that for me and without his permission I will reveal to you some of the secrets you could have garnered for yourself if you bothered to show up. Take from it what you will. This is a TOIstudio public service announcement.
1- start an aspirational development
2- strengthen existing neighborhoods and corridors
3- fix the rules, ask the right questions
4- advocate for living locally
What exactly do those statements mean? They mean that for the most part American post war society has created an insular set of rules, mores and regulations that actually weaken neighborhoods and by extension communities. We (social humanity) are actually fighting an uphill battle to better neighborhoods and to do so requires a lot more work, understanding and manifested intent. They mean that for every decision that must be made it must be asked "why". Why is that decision shaped that way, Why do the building/zoning/planning codes require these solutions, Why is a development or community not interacting, not succeeding, not vibrant, not interesting? Ask the questions and think on the answers, then act in the necessary manner.
It really isn't rocket science, we had that licked in the 50's. This is a "soft" science and it requires diligent thinking to attempt to solve it instead of cookie cutter plans and misanthropic regurgitations of 20 year old books used as a marketing ploy. It requires a bit of research, critical thinking, a little bit of heart and quite a bit of hard work, and when it works a designer can sit back and go, "Well I tried to make the world a better place. How can I improve on what I last did to make it even better?"
Co-sponsored with the Cleveland Council on World Affairs
Dr. Timothy Beatley of the Department of Urban and Environmental Planning, School of Architecture at the University of Virginia promotes green urbanism, a creative urban planning and design strategy that brings nature back into city neighborhoods, supports locally produced renewable energy and encourages growing food close to urban communities. He will present examples of innovative green projects and policies adapted by cities in Europe and North America that could be implemented in Northeast Ohio.
Please join this speaker for a book-signing session after the presentation. All books are available for purchase in the Museum Store.
In 2003 Marcus Eriksen sailed down the Mississippi River on a plastic raft called Bottle Rocket
In 2008 he sailed across the Pacific Ocean on a raft made of 15,000 plastic bottles called JUNK
In 2009 he will sail Lake Erie on a raft made of bottles called The COLA-HOGA!
Come and cheer on all the folks who built their very own recycled rafts as they take to the high um... Lake and bring back their rafts for responsible recycling.
It wasn't that long many years ago that I was explaining to a Missouri denizen that I was from Cleveland, OHIO and not Cleveland, MO hence my funny accent. There was a moment of thought before he honestly asked "Didn't your river catch on fire?". It was an odd moment, to be a third of the way across the country and to know that my hometown wasn't famous for rock and roll (this was 1996, right after the Rock Hall was completed) or Drew Carey's generous grinning face but for the seeming industrial impossibility of water being polluted enough to actually burn.
Not that it was an uncommon practice. Many industrial cities suffered from their main waterways catching on fire as industry and the residents of the cities dumped whatever they wanted into their rivers in an ironic effort to "clean". However our river fire caught the media on a good day and became, well infamous. It is one of those amazing moments where the weakness of a situation evolves into the strength of a city as we are currently poised to delist the Cuyahoga River(or most of it) as a "most polluted river of the Great Lakes"*. The fact that the Cuyahoga River, once infamous for it's ability to burn, has become a thriving navigable and inhabitable waterway, speaks volumes about how public opinion, once swayed to accomplish a seemingly impossible goal, can do so (perhaps with the strong arm of a little federal prodding behind it). Cleveland may still be the butt of stale and old jokes but we have proven that we can make a measurable difference.
Now, as we celebrate 40 years, the EPA and a cleaner river later, we question "How can we take this understanding of actionable ability and harness this accomplishment to change Cleveland's image from a filthy, dirty town to a vibrant and forward looking city?
Happy Anniversary Cuyahoga River. We still have a bit to go.
One vital aspect of life made cute to spread knowledge.
Wally the Waterdrop explains what that the water we deal with in everday life, from our drains to the street runoff that collects at curb drains and what it takes to clean the water before it is reintroduced into the watertable on a website put together by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District entitled Where does it go.
With the public becoming increasingly aware of the concerns attributed to potable water, even in industrialized nations such as the United States. a public consciousness should begin to express itself through human migration patterns. The low cost of land in the Southwest may be becoming offset by the realization that the land does not lend itself to human habitation and requires massive artificial infrastructure to force habitation. This lends itself not only to the "where does it go" mindset which is important if only because another part of the conversation is "where does it come from". When one realizes that "it" is coming from where "it" is going to I can only hope that the import of water becomes apparent. Not that it is a perfectly closed loop system, water evaporates and of course rain can replenish some bodies of water, but ground source (aquifers) must be monitored and not over utilized. We are not the only critters who require that ground water to live.
There is a agenda to protect the America's largest bodies of freshwater by the states and provinces that surround it, not in order to create a monopolized control, but to protect the systems already in place that millions of people depend upon for survival and with it some interesting notions on how to protect our freshwater and adjacent flora/fauna are already becoming public. Whether to stem invasive specie exposure, control/halt pollution or to find ways to use the open areas of the lake as a power generating resource to supplement a region of the country that relies heavily on coal power generation. The agenda is known as the Great Lakes Basin Compact and includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin along with the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Article I of the compact describes what I like to think of as regionalism at it's finest.
So what does this mean to you? Well, whatever you want it to. It would be great if everyone was concerned enough with regards to their global impact to want to find out if they are creating an undue burden on others. Maybe it would be a good idea to discover the effort that goes into protecting what many take for granted and perhaps, if possible, find ways to alleviate any unnecessary waste or at the very least be aware enough to actively help others help themselves. Water is a precious commodity, is being constantly fought over either economically, legislatively or physically, and is vitally important to those whose fates (or their city's fates) are intimately intertwined with their water's well being.
U.S. House Triples Funding for cleaning up Great Lakes
The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2008 which reauthorized a federal program to clean up the rivers and harbors feeding into the Great Lakes by tripling its funding to $150 million annually.
A great American resource is finally getting some of the attention that is deserves which is also great news to the many post industrial cities that would definitely benefit from some special attention.
One of the interesting topics covered was the possibility of utilizing white roof technology in urban environments to offset heat island effect. The premise of the main argument is "Increasing World-wide Urban Albedos to Offest CO2". Roughly translated implementation of higher albedo surfaces (such as pavement and roofs) on a large scale in urban environments directly cool the globe by reflecting solar radiation (in a similar manner to polar ice). In this manner higher albedo surfaces can offset a specific CO2 emission (10 meters squared of white roof offsets 1 ton CO2) by directly cooling the planet's surface area independent of CO2 emissions.
Besides decreasing the operational costs of specific buildings and cooling urban environments increasing comfort the proposal to offset carbon emissions via high albedo requirements for urban environments on a grand scale could help alleviate the burden of greenhouse gases until technology can catch up with lower (or hopefully non) emission solutions.
Happily the cost of white roofing has dropped dramatically to be cost effective for new and replacement construction however it may fall to municipalities to create and enforce requirements for higher albedo pavement (parking and sidewalks).
While at the Burning River Fest a while back I had noticed a booth where the discussion was centered around airborne contaminants. I queried whether the county had real time tracking of particulate matter from specific locations as I am typically interested in real time results from the surrounding region. Part of it is due to my desire to quantify site specificity as a design precedence as well as my necessity to know what is going on everywhere.
Currently the county does not have real time mapping or data stream, at least according to the booth I inquired at (which may have been the Environmental Health Watch booth, I wrote it down but misplaced my notes).
I had read about an "installation" during last years CONFLUX festival whereas a person pushing a cart that monitored CO2 emissions walked a main path adjacent to a road way and demonstrated the amount of pollution being emitted, and consequently inhaled, by festival visitors. I found it an interesting way to connect directly, via real time measurements and results, to the general public in an educational manner that tied together how our everyday choices and interactions with our environment affect our health.
Whereas particulate matter in Cuyahoga County is directly connected to respiratory illnesses (or in case of our current time of year, allergies), I would think that wind data and pollution data would be interesting to study. Granted it may seem difficult to have such data constantly at our fingertips, but currently groups are working with that very goal in mind.
The Black Cloud Citizen Scientist League has developed "Pufftron" sensors to measure air quality, temperature and noise is specific Los Angeles and Bary Area areas.
Currently there are 5 sites under the scrutiny of the "Pufftron" data loggers which have data streams visible online. This real time data streaming allows anyone to instantly view and hopefully understand external events and their affect upon quality of life, a major concern of a good design professional. Recent growth in environmental awareness and passive design strategies should inherently justify the value of studies such as this which would hopefully result in techniques and technologies that either limit environmental pollutants or design strategies for dwellings and structures to combat, collect/deflect or avoid such contaminants if deemed desirable.
On July 17th Al Gore issued a public challenge to the country to take the effort and make the necessary sacrifice to guarantee the future of the American way of life. While the short term sacrifice may seem harsh or difficult I am reminded that this country has faced the need for such sacrifice before; through World Wars, economic turmoil and political upheavals. These changes, these necessary tasks that must be undertaken to strengthen our countries independence requires a resolve and willingness to accept the change required and the fortitude to make those changes ourselves, before it becomes too late.
At worst our country will be poised to maneuver on the world stage from a position of strength based upon energy independence and technological prowess. At best we will take the lead and reshape our economy while ensuring a high standard of life for the rest of the planet.
I think one of my favorite quotes from the challenge was "we are borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroys the planet. Every bit of that has to change". Help make that change.
Burning River Garden discovered - urban gardening right on the river
While wandering around downtown Cleveland on the 4th I stumbled across the Burning River Garden, a little urban pocket garden where the Veteran's Memorial Bridge meets W. 10th on the East Side of the Cuyahoga River.
The corner is a rather nice spot that gets some good afternoon sun and marks the East entry of the Veteran's Memorial Bridge Tour. According to the BRG website the plots were designed with future expansion of more gardens and perhaps a community park in mind. While the community garden offers a great opportunity for the inhabitants of the nearby apartment/condo buildings to get their fingers and toes in the dirt, it also creates a fine respite spot for workers of nearby buildings and in creating the garden, marked a space that offers rather nice vistas of the Cuyahoga (our most valuable yet ignored resource).
Built in partnership with the Summer Sprout Program these folks have created a series of hubs for community place building and interaction and in doing so have made the city that much more livable. If you would like help the summer sprout program call Connie Booth for details (513) 221-0981.
Special thanks to Beth from BRG for taking some time from digging and weeding to explain the garden to me.
Kamm's Corners Farmers Market Grand Opening Sunday, June 22nd, 2008 The Kamm’s Corners Farmers Market is in the municipal parking lot located at W. 168th Street and Lorain Avenue, near Rocky River Drive. Parking nearby is free and plentiful. It is not at Kamm’s Plaza Shopping Center. map 10am - 2pm
...with all the talk of eating, shopping, thinking, living local nothing spring/summer is the best time to begin re-evaluating your diet as local options and choices are at their greatest. Take advantage of the weather and the Kamm's Corner's Farmers Market Grand Opening
Renowned Irish dancer Patrick Campbell, owner of Brady Campbell’s Irish Dance School and former lead in Lord of the Dance, will be performing at 11:30 a.m. along with students from his school.
Matt Spinner with the award winning Great Lakes Brewing Company will be doing a chef demonstration at 12:30 p.m.
Marilyn Valentino, owner of Westpark Massotherapy, will be administering chair massages during market hours for a small fee.
Musical guest and neighborhood favorite, Brand New Hat, will be entertaining throughout market hours.
Local Clergy will help us start the season off right with an ecumenical market “blessing” at 12:00 a.m.
Kick the Carbon Habit - World Environment Day 2008
Thursday, June 5th, 2008
About World Environment Day 2008
World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.
The World Environment Day slogan for 2008 is Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy. Recognising that climate change is becoming the defining issue of our era, UNEP is asking countries, companies and communities to focus on greenhouse gas emissions and how to reduce them. The World Environment Day will highlight resources and initiatives that promote low carbon economies and life-styles, such as improved energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption.
The main international celebrations of World Environment Day 2008 will be held in New Zealand. UNEP is honoured that the city of Wellington will be hosting this United Nations day (read the press release).
The day's agenda is to give a human face to environmental issues; empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues; and advocate partnership, which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.
What are you going to do?
Get some ideas here or more North American ideas here.
Rust belt cities suffer from the heavy mantle of industrial exodus. The loss of jobs is reflected in the loss of tax revenue which decreases the city's ability to maintain its infrastructure, pay for basic services such as education and protection and maintain amenities such as entertainment or arts.
While lands are left vacant waiting for the local economy to turn there exists the potential to use the extended lag periods to passively increase the viability of polluted city sites in order to take advantage of passing opportunity. Many phytoremediation or phytoextraction strategies could be utilized to remove or decrease toxins from the polluted soils of vacated manufacturing plants. Phytostabilization or phytotransformation are strategies for stabilizing/containing a pollutant and for breaking down organic pollutants such as pesticides.
Passing over the Cuyahoga this morning I wondered how difficult or expensive it would be to begin a phytoremediation program to clean up selected sites in The Flats that are not currently slated for any development or where development is many years off.
Would it make sense to begin natural clean up solutions to decrease the toxicity? Would it increase the inherent land value for resale? Could brownfield clean up grants be available for such a project and if so could educational institutions become involved as part of biology or environmental study groups to monitor progress and attempt various techniques?
Could Cleveland become the case study for phytoremediation techniques, utilizing the massive amounts of undeveloped, post-industrial, poisoned land and turning these sites into amenities such as public parks, nature reserves, community gardens while they sit unused waiting to be developed?
Would a program such as this take too long to have an affect? Are we waiting for something worthwhile or amazing to happen instead?
I remember years ago reading about folks in the UK who would drive around in the dark of night, find some despot of a site, overgrown, forgotten, filled with trash, and then lovingly clean, replant and care for the little oasis. I always found the occurrence scary in a wondrous way. There are so many residual spaces, little areas that are surrounded by public way, confused as to whom has ownership, so they lapse into becoming forgotten hardened dirt, adding nothing to the identity of the area and offering no respite from the hardened facade of the urban jungle.
I was debating with some of the LAUNCHies about the act of Guerrilla Gardening. Surprisingly the few that I talked to about it got all excited and bothered. Some quick research went into the beginning nuances. How best to distribute seeds or plants, what areas would be most beneficial to plant, were we going for a statement, for aesthetics or for balancing the natural order?
We quickly found some rather helpful links, tips and ideas (hint: Google "Guerrilla Gardening").
Then, as some get ready to begin our due diligence I stumble across an article about an LA area Guerrilla Gardener whom has been planting medians with Agave for 10 years, a succulent that has low moisture needs and thrives in the local climate. The best part of the article was that the Superintendent of Grounds Maintenance for the city of Long Beach is rather impressed by the gardeners use of drought tolerant plants and notes that "there is no law against planting on city landscaping, except for ficus tress, who's roots wreck roads and sidewalks".
Not that I want to take the subversive fun out of the act but perhaps this may be a good time for local activists who would like to beautify their cities to start cooperating with local officials to create gardens and local parks (Cleveland already has many programs already with this aim, I will make note of them as I get more information from the various groups - WCPN Sound of Ideas recently discussed how urban gardening may be used to battle the foreclosure crisis). As a renter I do miss digging in the yard. I suppose now I can treat my whole city as, well, mine.
I hate to completely summarize a news article but I feel that this is a rather important stepping stone to society assuming accountability for our actions.
Four years late and under the shadow of a court order demanding it the White House produced their climate report this past Thursday.
While offering no "new science" it does collaborate previous studies and reports that concentrated on human action, climate change and the resultant environmental impacts upon natural systems.
In 1990 the US Global Change Research Act of 1990 was passed stating that the United States government must issue a comprehensive science assessment of global warming but had not released one since 2000.
I have not had the chance to read the 271 page report. I will try to get through it this weekend however there have already been some tidbits bantered around the internet that I found interesting.
...from the New York Times; The Bush administration, bowing to a court order, has released a fresh summary of federal and independent research pointing to large, and mainly harmful, impact of human-caused global warming in the United States.
...from Yahoo AP ; • Increased heat deaths and deaths from climate-worsened smog. In Los Angeles alone yearly heat fatalities could increase by more than 1,000 by 2080, and the Midwest and Northeast are most vulnerable to increased heat deaths.
• Worsening water shortages for agriculture and urban users. From California to New York, lack of water will be an issue.
• A need for billions of dollars in more power plants (one major cause of global warming gases) to cool a hotter country. The report says summer cooling will mean Seattle's energy consumption would increase by 146 percent with the warming that could come by the end of the century.
• More death and damage from wildfires, hurricanes and other natural disasters and extreme weather. In the last three decades, wildfire season in the West has increased by 78 days.
• Increased insect infestations and food- and waterborne microbes and diseases. Insect and pathogen outbreaks to the forests are causing $1.5 billion in annual losses.
Alright, so what are we going to do about it? More importantly what are you? The tools are right there to become informed, now act upon the information. Inaction is no longer a viable option.
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!
TOIstudio scours the news everyday to find interesting tidbits regarding architecture and environmentalism that may have slipped by the mainstream media, however I am not one for completely disdaining our larger broadcasting brethren and was actually caught by surprise when I saw this major news network story about World Water Day.
All joking aside without conservation or some minor technological breakthroughs potable water is poised to become the next major conflict instigator, most likely surpassing the volatility of oil in coming decades.
Perhaps it is the growing pains of our civilization that let us forgo the importance of drinking water in such a way that we continued to poison and waste it in such a manner that may become threatening for us as a species if we do not start taking some sort of responsibility. I am not advocating that we all only sponge bath once a month, instead I advocate that we realize that every decision we make has an impact upon another entity. You don't have to over-water your lawn to keep it green, you could plant lawns of non invasive species that have a deeper root structure so they will not suffer the 'burn of summer' as readily.
You could take your own bags to the grocery store instead of relying on being provided bags that take precious resources to make only to be thrown away at the end of their extremely short lifespan.
You could use low flow fixtures in your house and fix drips and leaks.
There are hundreds of water conservation techniques that could be easily employed without making any impact on our lifestyles and in the end would be better for all of us.
The flavor of invention - oscillating tension belts may answer questions poised by microturbines
Inspired by the vibrations wind forces produced upon the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, Shawn Frayne suspended a taut membrane with coils between two small magnets which, when exposed to a low wind can create enough electricity to power small devices such as lighting or clock radios. The current project was developed for rural areas without electrical infrastructure however it is hoped that the current design can be scaled up somewhat to produce more power without the inevitable noise problems.
There is a pretty snazzy video interview and some diagrams on this Popular Mechanics webpage.
While not every idea solves every problem perfectly, it is little ideas like this that I really appreciate as they show how solutions to our perceived problems could already be staring us right in the face.
We have all been in places where the crush of human bodies has resulted in uncomfortable temperatures. In some places this unavoidable occurrence can only be countered with a large mechanical cooling system.
Until someone discovers a way to utilize this energy.
The Stockholm Central Station is configuring a mechanical system that instead of simply removing the excess heat from station they intend to capture this energy to heat an adjacent office building.
The proposed system will utilize a closed loop heat transfer system that will distribute water warmed up by people in the Central Station to a new office building that will house a small hotel and a few shops.
The additional cost of the pipes and pumps is not, by itself, cheap. However projections of system use offer a 20% reduction in energy use from a standard heating system that when added to overall cost of the building makes the added cost seem "not that much" according to Karl Sundholm of Jerhuset, a property administration company run by Swedish government.
If proved viable restructuring building systems to take advantage of the occupant usage instead of merely treating building program as a 'problem to be solved' may become an effective way to structure design solutions for occupied projects. Besides generating power (don't forget to check out this link on crowd farming) I wonder what other potential solutions are in the proposal phase...
Global Warming as Risk Management - "How It All Ends"
One doesn't have to win a Nobel prize to have a valid view on issues of international import. By the same token any nut job with a webcam can make a video (and every kook with an internet connection can start a blog), however when issues are presented in an intelligent manner that is based upon logic more than simple emotion and when the issue is arguably one of the most important issues of our lifetime (possibly for the species), I would find it hard to argue that you couldn't spare 10 minutes of your time.
The first video is simply a basis for the argument of whether or not humans should take action to fight global warming. The next of the series deals with what one can do, the risk management aspects of choices, etc.
While only a simplified exercise in demonstrable logic it does concisely emphasize the point that it would be better to do something and be wrong than do nothing and be screwed. What can I say? I am a sucker for whiteboard and a logic matrix.
The sweet smell of fuel independence...smells like fries
There is something to be said for those that instead of arguing about the practicality of certain ideas, decide to tinker with the mechanics until they get it to work and then use a functioning example of their argument. I would find it hard pressed to argue with Stephen Merrett of Oberlin, Ohio who, at the ripe old age of 24 has not only converted over 100 diesel vehicles to run on waste vegetable oil but who also owns and operates the Full Circle Fuel Station on Main Street in Oberlin. Full Circle is one of the few waste vegetable oil stations in the country although the number of stations that are selling biodiesel appear to be rising.
Fresh out of college Merrett attained various grants that allowed him to work with Ray Holan, another proponent of waste oil recycling and biodiesel conversions who has worked with local Cleveland businesses (such as the Great Lakes Brewing Company)to develop biodiesel vehicles for the company's use.
Typically one can get waste vegetable oil (WVO) from restaurants but would have to store and strain the oil before using it in a vehicle. Biodiesel fuel stations are able to supply the waste as a fuel at a reduced rate (compared to traditional petroleum fuels) because the restaurants give away the waste oil instead of having to pay to have someone remove it.
Typical automobile conversions can cost upwards of $1,500.
Once in a while I come across a story or idea that surprises me with its simplicity and potential that I not only grin, but become a little ashamed when I realize what an impact a simple idea could have.
A gentleman in Seattle (I hope I don't embarrass him by calling him a gentleman) is instituting The First International Solar Sculpture Challenge 2008. There are rules stipulated in the challenge: 1 There shall be no batteries in the structure. All the solar should be direct use. 2. I think the sculpture should be bigger than a breadbox 3. The art installation should remain in one place. (I can envision it moving around but I think it should not be a vehicle or that moves more than 10 feet from a basic spot) 4. The sculpture must include either photovoltaic cells, solar flat panels, solar thermal evacuated tubes, or wind mechanics or all of the the above mentioned to qualify for entry. 5. The structure sculpture must be placed in the city of Seattle by the Summer Solstice 2008 (June 20th 23:59pm 2008)= June 21 2008
I suppose the reasons why this is a great idea are actually rather evident. First it creates the opportunity for educational and research institutions to create programs that would showcase their student and faculties talents. It would allow for more public installations that would raise awareness as well as create areas that could be activated or reactive as destinations. It could also put the city hosting it on the map as a concentrated nexus of art and technology. I suppose my favorite part of the whole challenge is that it is incredibly attainable and should be relatively easy to gather all the support needed (from local government, schools, businesses, artists and professional organizations) to pull this off.
So, who in Cleveland is going to put one together for here?
As you travel the roads this holiday season, perhaps you may be so lucky as to wander upon the remains of one of childhood's most distasteful threats, the beet. During the extraction process of removing sugar from sugar beets it was noticed that the left over material had a very low freezing point.
Someone thought that this would make a handy de-icing material for roadways and so viola, beet juice road de-icing mixture which has already been tested in Akron may find its way onto more Ohio roads.
Supporters say that the beet mixture is less harmful on cars than straight Calcium Chloride (road salt) which is corrosive to metals (ie. bridges and cars)and deadly to vegetation (ie. roadside lawns and farm fields). All sugar has been removed from the solution before it can be used for roads, otherwise it may attract animals (or small children).
Questions remain. Will the roads appear purplish? Will liver and onions find an acceptable use as housing insulation? Will Dwight Schrute's beet farm reap the rewards it has deserved lo these many years?
Green Architecture is apparent, sometimes obvious, this time wonderful thanks to Mass Studies
Despite all the 'green washing' that one gets to experience this holiday season and the resultant 'funk' I find myself in regarding environmental architecture I was extremely happy to stumble across the Ann Demeulemeester Shop by Mass Studies on the Designboom website. While one could easily argue that the application of "green" building technology is pure applique, I would like to counter with a "Yes, it could only be an applique, but it is a rather sensational one."
Unlike the addition of a wind turbine or solar array the wrapping of the entire skin of the structure seems so integrated, so intentional and so rigorous that I find myself grinning at how the soft skin substance (in this case plantings) so perfectly compliments the soft forms of the building. While I don't know Ann Demeulmeester's work that well, I will probably give her styles a second look if there is a depth of thought akin to her shop in her clothing.
Regardless, I would like to complement the design of the store. Not only is the skin extremely interesting I am so highly intrigued into how the interior spaces are laid out, how movement through is shaped and accomplished by the street to stair to bridge level and then the simple street entrance which I assume wraps you up to the bridge or down from the bridge or someway to get through this building via a series of level changes and thresholds and wonderful interior to exterior or interior(?)/exterior(?) spaces.
If you found that as confusing as I did writing it you should probably just check out the pictures and save yourself some trouble. It will all become crystal clear when you do.
Two separate tracks for two (semi)local companies hoping to capitalize on emerging energy based technology markets. One almost hopes that the region finds a way to cultivate a local culture for these types of businesses.
*had an image that could have been used to help out the argument but apparently can't show it. That's fine and I understand ownership of imagery and everything. It is just a shame that others cannot view the work quickly without going to through the other websites. Notice how the argument loses a lot of its import. Quite the shame. (Before you all yell at me too, I did give credit and link to the archivist's site where the image orginated from (which was being used on the architect's website instead of just copying and pasting the image haphazardly).
The current owner of the 1963 Graham House designed by Arthur Erickson in West Vancouver is currently awaiting a demolition permit to raze the structure.
Rumors on the street-erweb are stating that the current owners purchased the house in 1988 and have not maintained in as strategy to remove opposition to the demolition.
The Graham house is an amazing structure in that it was built on an 'unbuildable' site (the sort of site every design student equally dreads and dreams about) of a rock cliff with the main body of the house 40 feet below the arrival level. The building then descends in a series of staggered rooms and platforms to create a multidimensional environment offering amazing views to the Sea. Due to the steepness of the adjacent cliff exterior space had to be created and controlled and therefore was integrated into the design of the building.
Client: Mr. and Mrs. Graham - 1965
The site for the house was a rock cliff dropping forty feet from the arrival level down a sheer cliff to a rock bench over the sea. The solution to this difficult site was the creation of a multi-storey house descending the slope in levels.
The formal idea of the piling up of hovering beams was the basis of the composition. These enclose the major living areas, which step down the embankment for four storeys from the carport to the bluff over the sea below. Each area opens onto a roof terrace over the living quarters below, so that there is maximum access to sunlight and view. Because of the ruggedness of the site, the outside living areas are confined almost entirely to the roof areas of the house itself.
A texture difference is achieved between the walls and box beams by using flat siding on the beams and a deep board and batten on the walls. The house is treated with a simple oil finish and the only other materials used in conjunction with the wood are used brick and a Welsh quarry tile.
There is supposition that the demolition is being planned in order to create the property for a more speculative (see generic) development. On the heels of the Ameritrust Tower debacle I found the following articles rather interesting. Most importantly how preservation and environmentalism work in conjunction with saving our infamous architectural heritage.
I am curious with how this will play out. Will the local design community come to the aid of the structure? Will a new buyer step up? With Canada's preservation laws save this building? Will the threatening of this particular structure have a more disastrous ending than the Brueur Tower?
With the arguments circling around personal property rights versus preservationists right this one could set the standard for future of Canada's architectural heritage.
Resources (Imagine you and your laptop in front of a warm fire this cold evening reading over all these fun sources):
I know I had already mentioned the CCA Sorry, Out of Gas exhibit but recently the CCA (Canadian Centre for Architecture) launched the companion website at sorryoutofgas.org.
Set up like a viewfinder slide show, the exhibit showcases the three major natural energy production techniques, solar, geothermal and wind power. As a 'bonus' feature examples of integrated system projects that set the stage for reorganizing social models and creating the basis for new lifestyle techniques with a foundation in energy-related awareness are also presented.
Well, not that I am agreeing to give you an excuse to not see the exhibit, but you could at the very least check out the exhibits website.
Check the Fence, or yo-self, foo! (Example of irony part II - same guilty party)
This picture was forwarded to me by a concerned citizen who had noticed that the fliers posted on the construction barrier around the Ameritrust Tower on East 9th, South of Euclid has suffered from what could possibly be described as "adhesive surrender". The glue used to mount the fliers to the barrier has/is failing and the fliers are falling to the ground, and possibly, their doom. This is an example of irony for the following reason...
a) The fliers are promoting what Cuyahoga County is doing to promote, endorse or create sustainable initiatives. Their example is now littering the ground. Littering is not sustainable.
b) The fliers appear to be vinyl based, much like a picnic table cloth. Vinyl is by no means an acceptable sustainable material. Asbestos is probably safer for you. I have no factual material to back that up but I doubt anyone comes here for straight facts. That is what the BBC is for.
I will however offer the option that this is part of the County's plan to save money by utilizing an adhesive which fails exactly when the new fliers are to be posted (the next one goes up in December!) saving the energy and cost of labor needed to remove and dispose of the fliers. That seems somewhat sort of logical.
I for one, am ATWITTER at the possible December designs. If anyone knows what they are I would prefer for them to not spoil the surprise. I am sure it will be endlessly glorious.
Green building and modernism; are they antithetical? Guest lecturer, Carl Stein, FAIA, Principal of elemental architecture, llc, of New York City and his late father, Richard Stein, FAIA, have completed numerous historic rehabilitation projects based on their innovative and pioneering research in the analysis of energy use and conservation in buildings and design. Stein served his architectural internship with Marcel Breuer from 1968-1971.
Architecture for Humanity AMD Competition Resources
I would like to tip the hat to the Open Architecture Network(OAN) for attempting to prove out that designers care quite a bit about designing with a purpose as opposed to hi-jacking altruistic trends for personal gain. Spend some time at OAN site and check out the hundreds of project submissions and proposals that are being shared. There is something comforting about the knowledge that people are willing to take their own time and resources to create solutions for the sort of problems that most think too large or ingrained to resolve.
The interesting thing about these competitions and the Open Architecture Network is the teams willingness to share information with other teams as each group works towards the same end goal with perhaps different perspectives. Usually this results in groups working inadvertently against each other to solve a common goal and competing for resources, however the structure of the OAN allows for camaraderie to supersede the search for pure authorship. Whether this is a result of the information age or perhaps more people are searching for purely altruistic goals (and willing to share credit) is beyond me and actually, to me, unimportant.
On a closing note I would like to pass along a blog that was sent to me a while back (took me forever to find again) that documents the Washington University's multidisciplinary student team working on the Kallari portion of the Open Architecture Challenge.
"Those that do not study history are doomed to repeat it"
That seems like a fair enough assessment given our current woes. I find it increasingly amazing that given our rapid and prolific state of inventiveness (mobile phones on which we can watch full length feature films, voice activated interactive computer systems, global information and telecommunication networks) we still fail to understand how our decisions impact our ever shrinking world.
34 years after our last oil crisis America (and much of the industrialized world) finds ourselves again on the precipice of what some are calling a complete economic breakdown. Once again we see how closely we are tied to international energy production but are unwilling to make the self sacrifice needed to alleviate the burden. I find it so strange that a country who constantly involves itself in international affairs fails to realize how our own personal actions affects said international world. Americans systematically use and discard proportionally the vast majority of our planet's resources. Cities develop massive automotive infrastructure routes to cut commute times by mere minutes which justify further deconcentration of communities resulting in more energy/fuel being needed to navigate sprawling community. We live in a society where it is easier and cheaper to throw out a broken appliance than to have it repaired, the cost subsidized by impoverished foreign workers and the goods shipped to this country with the expense of a massive consumption of energy.
It is intriguing to me how interconnected everything really is if you take the time to examine it.
For those of you with piqued interest I direct you to the 1973; Sorry, Out of Gas exhibit on view at the CCA (Canadian Centre for Architecture) until April which highlights some of the architectural responses to the oil crisis of "green pioneers like Micheal Reynolds and Steve Baer".
Metorpolis magazine also acknowledges that the show is "also a warning to contemporary architects enamored with solely technological-driven solutions, and a call for societal changes to combat looming ecological disaster."
Greener gifts for the holiday season thanks to Treehugger.com
Happy Black Friday United States! (I think the rest of the world celebrates tomorrow as the biggest shopping day of the year).
Granted I am against copious consumer consumption as much as I can be however with the holidays gearing up and gift giving being a way to express one's feelings and respect for another I figure I may as well pass along the 2007 Treehugger's Gift Giving Guide - Now in various shades of green! Using the site one can navigate by preferences for who will be receiving the gifts as well as gift types. I find one of the most useful parts a list of holiday tips for reducing consumption and alternative for dealing with non efficient materials (virgin gift wrapping paper). There is also a nice list of foundations one can contribute to in someones name.
All in all a fine idea for those looking to reduce their impact or make a statement with their gift giving this holiday season.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I hope all are enjoying good times with family and friends, celebrating the important things in life, our love for each other.
Amazing how quickly fine ideas become sullied. Christmas has been an overly commercialized holiday since as long as I can remember. Halloween, well, that is all about candy, right? Easter was somehow maligned to also be a mall holiday and since Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks for what we have I suppose the only way to properly hi-jack it is to assume that after giving thanks people realize that what they have isn't enough.
Somehow 4am sales on 72" plasma screen TVs is supposed to fix all that emptiness inside?
Well, I am not sold on the idea that buying things will make me happy (actually I hate seeing credit card bills, getting rid of those would make me happier) and so once again I will not be partaking in 'Black Friday' in the usual manner.
Oh, I will enjoy my train ride into work (minus the crush of the work rush), my relatively calm day at the office (lots of people on vacation) and a quiet stroll around Cleveland at lunch. I will also celebrate Buy Nothing Day, the annual "moratorium on consumer spending". There are many reasons. After suffering a flood and losing quite a bit of my material identity I have discovered that those things are not as important as I thought. I also have come to the realization that no one is really impressed by the junk I own and all it really does is tie me to a sedentary lifestyle, locked in a single locale due to the massive amount of things I have accumulated. In fact, I find the more things I 'own' the more trapped feeling I become.
Even if it not all about the accumulation of 'stuff' there is something downright uncomfortable about 1/5 of the world's population consuming 80% of it's resources. Is our consumption based society to blame on our current economic, health and enviromental crisis? Damn straight it is. Do something interesting this Black Friday; read a book, talk to friends, enjoy the outside, draw, paint, enter architecture competitions, work on school assignments, think. Think about what a difference you could make if you really wanted to, then make that difference.
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