Tag Archives: culture


Place Parts, Episode 11: Book Launch Summit, with Tigran Haas


Today, we celebrate Book Launch Day for Sustaining a City’s Culture and Character. This book focuses on the culture and character of one city compared to another, how we distinguish and change urban places, and the actors involved. Please join collaborator Dr. Tigran Haas and me as we discuss the […]

Place Parts, Episode 10: Choreographing Place, with Sherry Dobbin


As we emerge from the pandemic, why center only on architectural compatibility or placemaking listicles? Why not admit the common adage, that the city–and its places–are a stage? As Futurecity Ltd cultural strategist Sherry Dobbin advises, the stage should be choreographed based on a comprehensive analysis of stakeholders’ fantasies and […]

Place Parts, Episode 6: Authenticity and Deliberative Communities


In this episode of Place Parts, we expand upon the role of “context keys” and authenticity” with Dr. Katherine Loflin, long-time consultant (the City Doctor), researcher, and producer of place-based community theater. Her career has significantly evolved from a principal role in the Knight Foundation’s Soul of the Community project. […]

Place Parts, Episode 5: A Place-LEARNing Primer


Today, in Place Parts, Episode 5, we follow up on Episode 3, about the importance of distinguishing the storybook from the real, something we also discussed with actor Richard Karn in Episode 4. What are the methods for doing so? The answer: LEARN and “context keys.” In my new book, […]

Place Parts, Episode 4: Placemaking Tools, Hollywood Style, with Richard Karn


Breaking news, in two parts. Firstly, there’s an epic reunion pending for Home Improvement stars Tim Allen and Richard Karn, in a new History Channel series. Secondly, the show, Assembly Required, shares themes with our book, and many of today’s hot themes in placemaking and urbanism. Moreover, the show’s American […]

Place Parts, Episode 3: The Storybook and the Real


Welcome back to Place Parts, Episode 3, a short video feature in anticipation of the release of my third book, Sustaining a City’s Culture and Character: Principles and Best Practices, available very shortly in the United States, and eventually, around the world.  Today, we follow up Episode 2, which provided a […]

Place Parts, Episode 2: Place, Time, and Ideas


Welcome back to Place Parts, Episode 2, a short video feature in anticipation of the release of my third book, Sustaining a City’s Culture and Character: Principles and Best Practices, available very shortly in the United States, and eventually, around the world.  Last time, in Place Parts, Episode 1, we talked […]

Sustaining Community in Pandemica


Let’s talk about the hyperlocal places of Pandemica, where the successes of sustaining community may live or die. They are on my mind this New Year’s Day, after a long walk in West Berkshire. I saw many local instances of non-compliance with England’s Tier 4 COVID-19 guidelines. I considered the […]

Almost Here for the Holidays: A Book to Sustain Places


Welcome back after my recent writing hiatus. For the last two months, I’ve been finalizing the proofs for Sustaining a City’s Culture and Character with the publisher, as well as heavily enmeshed in moving house to a listed property dating to the 16th century and re-addressing COVID-19 lockdown themes (discussed […]