sprawltalk » Art and Architecture

“Taken for a Ride” by Jim Kleina and Martha Olson

admin — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:35:57 +0000

A look into General Motors’ destruction of America’s public transportation system in the 1950′s, replacing it with the inefficient bus lines and invasive freeways we still live with today.

Atlanta’s Sprawl and a New Urbanist’s Response

admin — Mon, 31 May 2010 16:03:17 +0000

“American Makeover Episode 1: SPRAWLANTA”

Driving Less Despite Recovering Economy

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 19:34:17 +0000

A recent FHA study shows that despite lowered gas prices and a recovering economy demand for gas is 4% lower than before the recession. This trend suggests that Americans are choosing alternative transportation to driving, have moved closer to work and commercial zones, or are less likely to commute to work (likely a lingering effect of high unemployment). It will be interesting to see if this trend continues through the summer when demand for gas conventionally increases.

Full Story: “Shaky economy still keeping Americans off the road”

“Policy will no longer favor motorized transportation”

admin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:54:15 +0000

Because of President Obama’s continuation and adaptation of the Livability Initiative, policy towards transportation and infrastructure will become more diverse. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHoodhas announced that policy will no longer favor motorized transportation, writing that “This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.” This new focus will help break down the barriers to pedestrian traffic.

Source: http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/63290

Department of Transportation Policy Statement, March 15th, 2010

Nick Knodt – “No Outlet: An Exploration of Suburban Sprawl”

admin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:00:58 +0000

Philip Langdon on Autodependency

admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:16:27 +0000

“Surplus wealth enables people to persist in building wasteful, inadequate communities and then compensate for the communities’ failings by buying private vehicles and driving all over the metropolitan area in search of what ought to be available close to home”

-Philip Langdon, A Better Place to Live (1994)

Cul-De-Sacs Restricted In Virginia

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:29:35 +0000

In an effort to mend the state’s traffic and financial issues Virginia has implemented a policy effectively banning the development of new cul-de-sacs. Subdivisions will be required to have multiple entrances and through streets, connecting them to neighboring communities, schools and shopping areas.

With only one entrance to subdivisions, suburban cul-de-sacs create networks of high traffic roadways as private dead-end roads funnel directly into overburdened arterial roads. The current system “forces drivers to enter these traffic-choked roads to go even 50 yards or so to the neighborhood coffeehouse or elementary school.” Over the next few years this new policy will dramatically change Virginia’s suburban landscape, minimizing stress on existing roadways, cutting costs of government services, increasing density, and likely increasing walkability in the suburbs.

Full Story: In Va., Vision of Suburbia at a Crossroads

The New York Times Recognizes Virginia’s Cul-De-Sac Ban as one of the Top Ideas of 2009

Source: The Washington Post, 22 March 2009

Dana Hargrove – ‘Mediated Landscapes’

admin — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:50:01 +0000

In her recent work Dana Hargrove explores images of highway on-ramps through a series of circular paintings. These repeated images of high traffic intersections represent one of suburban sprawl’s major causes as the status quo for the American landscape.

From her website:

“‘Mediated Landscapes’, Dana Hargrove’s Solo Exhibition as the 2009 winner of the 10th Annual Young Painters Competition will take place from Dec 16, 2009 – Jan 26, 2010, with the reception and lecture on Friday, Jan 22, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.”