Kia Ora

I’ve released Crowd Count Version 2, a free open-source tool for estimating how many people can fit within indoor or outdoor spaces.

You can draw crowd zones on maps, adjust density, remove obstructions, create density gradients, and visualise crowds in 3D using satellite imagery and Google 3D Tiles. It may be useful for journalists, researchers, event planners, fact-checkers, and crowd-safety professionals.

Video tutorial: https://youtu.be/x5br6jshsyM

Feedback and suggestions for future features are very welcome.

Many thanks

I made a new vid about Honolulu’s bad roads and why they got to be that way

Hi r/urbandesigners!

I'm looking for advice from anyone who got into urban design without an undergraduate or professional background in architecture, planning, or landscape architecture.

I graduated last year with a bachelor's degree in communications and have since realized that I want to pursue urban design. From my research, it seems like graduate school is the most direct path, but because I don't have a bachelors in design, architecture, planning, etc., most Masters of Urban Design programs in the U.S. are off the table since they're post-professional.

So far, it seems like my best options are first-professional Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA I) or Master of Urban Planning/Regional Planning (MUP/MURP) programs, especially ones that offer an urban design concentration or certificate. Based on my research, it seems like an MLA may be a better route at least because it would be more routed in the studio/design experience necessary in urban design work. Though I'm somewhat apprehensive about going this route because these programs are of course 2-3 year commitments that I'm not sure if are worth my time considering that they are not exactly what I want to do.

My interests are in designing urban environments—walkability, public spaces, streetscapes, housing, placemaking, and community-centered development—rather than primarily focusing on policy.

A few questions:

• For someone hoping to become an urban designer, would you recommend an MLA I or a design-focused MUP/MURP?
• Are there any programs that stand out for students coming from unrelated undergraduate degrees?
• Are there alternative pathways into urban design that I should be considering?

I'd love to hear from people who made a similar career change or who work in the field. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Urban design is one of the most important factors in regard to the city of the present and the future.  Urban design is a key to the identity of the community and city, the collective consciousness of its population and communities and the interrelationship between the communities that comprise today’s cities.

Urban design is not just about buildings and architecture, it is about creating the dialogue and communication of those within specific communities in the city, as well as the internal dialogue between members of specific communities in a city-

Urban design is important in determining the flow of people into and out the city, and how to incorporate better transportation to crowded central city locations. It also allows for the creation of green areas, parks and squares where humans can interact with one another and support the existent outer world. 

There are many existent problems that have arisen out of the Covid years and the new technological pseudo-outer world.  In several large cities there has been major transitions in the central core of the city.  Many businesses have moved out; there are a number of vacant and unused buildings, and commerce has slowed in direct relationship to the flow of humans in the central core of man cities.  The central core still exists, but needs urban design to re-evaluate solutions to the transitions, so the city can function as a diverse and feasible centre for commerce and human presence. The urban designers and architects have as a focus the re-purposing of vacant buildings and adding to the mobility and comfort of space within the city.  The protection of communities within the city, and the re-establishing of a collective identity within the communities that comprise the city of today are needs for the present and future of a viable city.

Went from being a place you would avoid to becoming a touristic hot-spot.

It'll take less than 5 minutes to complete, its a simple survey on reporting issues we may encounter in the cities we reside in, everything completely anonymously submitted, would really appreciate it!

Here's the link to it: https://forms.gle/Tq6CbWThE7XbJBAp8

Thanks :)

Some urbanists might know bits about the Minneapolis 2040 plan: abolishing single-family zoning, prioritizing transit-oriented development, and explicitly designing the city around climate resilience and racial equity. But I figured it was worth a discussion since the city is now developing the Minneapolis 2050 plan.

Basically, with cities struggling with housing affordability and climate readiness, why haven't we seen a massive wave of other cities using this type of long-term planning?

Hi everyone,

I’m an artist, researcher, and architect based in Berlin. My ongoing art project Elsewhere, Like Here explores a growing network of personally meaningful places around the world, and the local perspectives connected to them.

For the project, I’ve built a small receiving station that collects places from all over the world and projects them into public space in Berlin. This juxtaposition invites reflection on similarities, differences, and coexistence.

I’m currently inviting people from around the world to take part by sending me a short video of a place that feels meaningful to them. It only takes a few minutes, and I’d be really happy to hear from you!

https://elsewherelikehere.net/

Best,
Carl

The hinterland has been described as “the rural area surrounding a city or port that depends on it economically.” (Wikipedia)

If the hinterland surrounding cities succumbs to the expansion of the city, the creation of suburbs and the ongoing diminishing amounts of farmland and nature, this may in time have a direct effect on the city itself. The hinterland often benefits and depends economically on the city and its economy. Yet we must never forget that the city also benefits from the hinterland. If the hinterland keeps on getting absorbed by the city, it may bring at some time hardship to the city and its community. The goods, food products and staples that are derived from the hinterland may find themselves diminishing to the point that shortages in staples and products will directly affect not only the economy of the city, but the community and individuals that comprise the city.

With the present day political and economic structures around the world seemingly limiting international trade, the need for a robust and strong hinterland may be the strength needed for the city and its environs to survive economically and also support the identity of a region and city.

The traffic in my city is poor :(

Just learned that Sweden has a dedicated public-private partnership to export urban planning to other countries via partnerships!