The Architectural League of New York » Staff Picks

Food as an ordering principle of cities?

admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:59:23 +0000

This is an interesting TED talk by Carolyn Steel about cities and food. She starts her lecture with a historical context of how ancient cities like Rome have fed themselves and then tracks how cities’ relationship with food, and consequently nature, has changed with industrialization and massive urban growth.

Also, check out this week’s Urban Omnibus feature on the same subject.

-Reid Bingham, Digital Production Assistant

Art in the Downturn

Nick Anderson — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:06:33 +0000

Jed Perl takes on the conventional wisdom of the recession’s useful effects on the arts and the continuing lauding of less-is-more creativity. Unrealistic or a challenge for the cultural sector to fight for the “freestanding value of art”? Read his piece here at The New Republic.
-Nick Anderson, Program Associate

Historical Mapping in New York

Nick Anderson — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:38:52 +0000

The New York Public Library has launched a beta site where users can “rectify” historical maps against current maps. Great resource for anyone interested in New York history or mapping in general.
-Nick Anderson, Program Associate

Skywalking Mumbai

Anne Rieselbach — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:35:38 +0000

To lift the pedestrians that power this city above the fray, Mumbai is building more than 50 elevated walkways. The skywalks will sprout from train stations across the city and snake over the traffic for up to two miles to create a pedestrian express lane. Click for more.
-Anne Rieselbach, Program Director

Hand vs Mouse

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:28:40 +0000

While I am constantly impressed with the increasingly slick, flashy, and realistic 3-D renderings being made today, not one of them has left an impression on me as strong as Mikkel Frost’s “toons.” They drip with water color and charm, and remind me of the power of the hand when compared to the cursor.
-Reid Bingham, Digital Production Assistant

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Bus Lanes

Nick Anderson — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:27:42 +0000

From streetsblog.org, funds in the 2011 Obama budget include a trial run for a select bus service in Brooklyn–interesting to see how this works if it comes through.
-Nick Anderson, Program Associate

Refresh Everything

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:26:07 +0000

Pepsi is giving grants to “fresh” ideas. Anyone can submit an idea, and grant amounts range from $5,000 – $250,000. The website has separated the ideas into the categories of health, arts & culture, food & shelter, the planet, neighborhoods and – lastly – education. And we get to vote on them, and we get to watch everyone else vote. Judging by the current $5,000 winner, this might seem like a bad idea – are Girl Scout cookies really the best fuel for soldiers? – however, Freecycle has the lead on the $250,000 grant…
-Sarah Snider, Executive Assistant

Federal Budget

Nick Anderson — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:24:28 +0000

The New York Times has developed a nice interactive graphic on the Obama administration’s 2011 proposed budget. As the debate continues on how we want to invest for our future (and for whom), it is a great visual aid.
-Nick Anderson, Program Associate