(Source: maximisaac, via jamesjgm)

massurban:

“Better Block: Bottom-Up Urban Reboot In a Single Weekend

Julie Ma. August 23, 2012

It’s remarkable what some people can accomplish in a single weekend. While others spend those days catching up on lost sleep or exploring their city with friends, Texas-based nonprofit The Better Block uses that time to rally communities to rethink their neighborhoods. Since itsinception in 2010, the project has built temporary dog parks, pop-up shops, urban forests, cafes, and bike lanes. They’ve left their mark in more than 35 cities including Philadelphia, Wichita, Cleveland, Houston, and Oklahoma City.

The organization’s next stop: Detroit, where the city’s first-ever Better Block project will take place from September 22 to 23 as part of theDetroit Design Festival. Headed by volunteers from the US Green Building Council and Wayne State University, the project aims to reshape a location with plenty of vacant commercial space—New Center.

Better Block will fill the vacant lots with work from local artists and artisans, food and drinks, and art exhibits via collaborations with local galleries and art organizations. There will also be pop-up retail shops, music performances, outdoor games, yoga instruction, urban farming demonstrations, and general lounging. The project aims for zero net waste, a temporary bus route to access the site, plus bike lanes and crosswalks painted around the block for the occasion. 

Better Block wants to jumpstart local policy shifts. “We want to change the planning process in the United States,” says organizer Andrew Howard. “It can be frustrating when things are taking too long, and our idea is that we don’t have to wait for the perfect city. It starts from the bottom up.”

The Better Block gives neighborhoods a temporary community-focused facelift, and can give struggling areas a glimpse into their futures. The organization provides training to community members interested in revitalizing their blocks by increasing multi-modal transportation and fostering economic development. Post-project, the communities work with The Better Block to see what was successful and take the steps necessary to turn these temporary solutions into permanent fixtures. In some cities, weekend pop-up shops have even turned into lasting storefronts. “

Via: GOOD Magazine

Photo: Better Blocks

A great visualisation of Michael Pollan’s Food Rules…short, sharpe & sweet! 

Why urban agriculture is an important component of sustainable food futures and some ways we can do it

(Source: archdaily.com)

La Trobe University urban and regional planning guru Trevor Budge to host #FoodFuturesVic forum this Friday 6 July, 5:30pm at 121 View St #Bendigo

‘there are a host of reasons why we should add food to the core elements of the planning and design of our cities, towns and communities.

‘This forum will provide a variety of practical examples of what could be done to make our region more food productive, more food accessible, and a healthier and more equitable place to live’

– Trevor Budge, Associate Professor, Community Planning and Development, La Trobe University, Bendigo

Forum to discuss Central Vic Food Futures

What role can universities play in creating sustainable and equitable Food Futures in Central Victoria? Plan B, the La Trobe University Student Planners Association, and La Trobe University Bendigo will host a free evening of discussion on urban food systems, universities urban sustainability from 5:30pm Friday, 6 July at the La Trobe University Visual Arts Centre.

Plan B President, Robert Kretschmer said ‘we will be introducing local research as well as creative and innovative ideas sourced locally and internationally to broaden discussion on how we can develop vibrant, resilient, sustainable and healthy food systems in Central Victoria’

La Trobe University Associate Professor in Planning and Community Development Trevor Budge will facilitate the evening. Mr Budge said ‘there are a host of reasons why we should add food to the core elements of the planning and design of our cities, towns and communities.

‘This forum will provide a variety of practical examples of what could be done to make our region more food productive, more food accessible, and a healthier and more equitable place to live’

The evening will feature an exclusive presentation from Kameshwari Pothukuchi, Associate Professor in Urban Studies and Planning at Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan and Director, SEED Wayne Detroit. Ms Pothukuchi will discuss the role of universities in creating and supporting communities to build healthy, equitable and sustainable food systems.

Ms Pothukuchi said ‘Universities, as cultural institutions, have a unique ability to work with students and communities to promote access to healthy foods, urban agriculture and alternatives to the global industrial food system that are more sustainable, just, and responsive to local communities’ needs.’

Plan B (@PlanBLaTrobe) encourages the Central Victorian Community to start the discussion early on twitter asking users to tweet under the hashtag #FoodFuturesVic.

To RSVP or for more information please email FoodFuturesVic@gmail.com or visit http://foodfuturesvic.tumblr.com/

All community members are welcome to attend this event. Food and drink will be provided on the night.

This is a FREE event affiliated with the 2012 Students of Sustainability Conference being hosted in Bendigo from 4 to 8 July, for more information visit http://studentsofsustainability.org.

Plan B is a student run organisation aiming to engage itself with the wider community to encourage community participation in planning sustainable futures for our towns, cities and regions. Plan B appreciates the support of La Trobe University, the La Trobe University Bendigo Students’ Association and Students of Sustainability, 2012.

Join us for the discussion Friday 6th July at the La Trobe Visual Arts Centre, Bendigo