Category Archives: Environment

Historic Preservation and Environmentalism

Posted on April 6, 2009 by LaDale Winling

Richard Moe of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the union-busting New York Times: NEVER before has America had so many compelling reasons to preserve the homes in its older residential neighborhoods. We need to reduce energy consumption and … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Preservation | Leave a comment

On the Overuse of Air Conditioning

Posted on June 8, 2008 by urbanoasis

A feature of summer that aggravates me to no end is the excessive use of air conditioning in public places and shops. I just had to flee from ERC because it was too cold in there — and I’m wearing … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Europe | 2 Comments

Green Preservation

Posted on February 21, 2008 by urbanoasis

Finally. Word may be reaching the masses that preservation is environmentally sensitive. Preservationists say green architecture isn’t just about building new energy efficient buildings that use solar panels, rooftop gardens and the latest cutting edge technology. According to Mike Jackson … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Environment, Preservation, Urban Planning | 3 Comments

The Chicago 7

Posted on January 28, 2008 by urbanoasis

This is a preservation post cross-posted at Built Chicago. Preservation Chicago has offered its latest list of the most endangered buildings in Chicago. This year they are: 1. Chicago Landmarks Ordinance 2. American Book Company Building 3. Devon Avenue Commercial … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Chicago, Environment, Preservation, Urban Planning | Leave a comment

Questioning Economic Development

Posted on January 24, 2008 by urbanoasis

I still haven’t put together my theory or at least thoughts on a better evaluation of economic development, which I promised last summer. Based on my travels in the Mediterranean (which I will hopefully revisit this fall), there is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Environment, Europe, Travel | Leave a comment

Wastewater Planning in Chicago

Posted on November 19, 2007 by urbanoasis

Last spring the History Channel got the planning bug and cooked up a scheme in which architects from cities around the country devised plans for their cities for a hundred years out. The winner from Chicago was Urban Lab, whose … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, Environment | Leave a comment

Wind

Posted on August 26, 2007 by urbanoasis

Wind Originally uploaded by urbanoasis This is a pretty crummy screen grab of what I think is a tremendously important image, demonstrating the continuing relevance of photography to evolving cultural discourse and human relationship to the environment. [N.B. Image replaced.] … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Environment, Photography | Leave a comment

Package Free/Waste Free

Posted on August 18, 2007 by urbanoasis

So this is a project, unlike the last one, that will see some results. You’ve of course heard of the 100 mile diet and other such fads, challenges, or lifestyles. One of the things my wife and I are interested … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Europe | 8 Comments

Flood Plain Development

Posted on May 15, 2007 by urbanoasis

The Madison House lies in a flood plain, that of the Allen Creek, which has run through a pipe underground, now deteriorating, for some 70 years. On rainy days we get a good deal of leakage in the basement, though … Continue reading →

Posted in Ann Arbor, Environment, Real Estate, Urban Planning | Leave a comment

Outdoor Clotheslines

Posted on May 6, 2007 by urbanoasis

Outdoor Clotheslines Originally uploaded by urbanoasis. Our next step in cutting the costs of consumption and convenience, while being more energy friendly. This is our summer alternative to hanging wet clothes on our radiators. Next up on our list will … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Evanston, Self-referential | 3 Comments