Town Design as Legacy

Community, Design

“Thus in all these ways we will transmit this City … greater and more beautiful than when it was transmitted to us.”  —The Athenian Oath

Welcome to the Community + Design + Advocacy blog

Advocacy, Community, Design

As an attorney and consultant for over twenty five years in government and business regulation,  I currently focus on community development and urban design issues – through organizations at the national, regional and local levels. It is my sincere belief that quality design, particularly as it relates to community planning, can improve quality of life … Read More

Why Design Review Matters

Resources

“…assure that new development projects contribute to the character of the community — and create great places of lasting value where people want to live work and shop.”  — Municipal Design Review Network (MDRN) publication

Signs of Aging?

Design, Resources

In the eternal balancing between taste and technology, the recent book Signs, Streets and Storefronts provides a valuable historical perspective on local placemaking. In “Signs..” architect Martin Treu convincingly presents a reminder that every decade has its new style and “modernization” for business development purposes.  E.g. with the invention of electricity, main street “white ways” demonstrated the … Read More

New Look at Window Signs

Design

“…For now we see through a glass, darkly;…” Corinthians This biblical phrase could also describe the challenging issues for regulating storefront window signage.  Few community appearance concerns reflect as much as SIGNage on the image of local shopping districts — and yet can cause such negative reactions with area businesses. Many upscale communities have traditionally … Read More