What's going on, Albuquerque?

James Howard Kunstler on Our Civic Spaces

Those not familiar with James Kunstler will likely find this short video a good introduction to his philosophy and ideas about America, its culture and where he feels we are heading. I'm linking to this not only because the points he makes echo many of my beliefs, but after visiting Albuquerque - in particular the downtown area, his observations are readily applicable to ABQ's urban environment. It also ties into Somegye's post about the downtown lofts, and why people aren't exactly queueing up for a chance to plunk their hard earned cash down on one. Also please note the irony of the ad after this video, for a Hydrogen powered BMW.

"In James Howard Kunstler's view, public spaces should be inspired centers of civic life -- the physical manifestation of the common good. Instead, he argues, what we have in America is a nation of places not worth caring about. Reengineering our cities will involve more radical change than we are prepared for, he believes, but our hand will be forced by earth crises stemming from our overconsuming lifestyle. "Life in the mid-21st century," Kunstler says, "is going to be about living locally." Passionate, profane and funny, this talk will make you think about the place where you live."

http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/PostOilBulletin/Kunstler2004Tal...

0 members like this

Comment by chantal on December 4, 2007 at 10:36pm: Noodle, that video's a great find. Thanks for sharing it.

"When you degrade the quality of our public realm, you degrade the quality of our civic life."

"The immersive ugliness of our everyday environments in America..."

Boston's City Hall plaza may be a sterile failure, but Albuquerque's civic plaza is too. Is there anyone who actually believes that design is welcoming for humans and a positive reflection of our City?

Having said that, I do believe that "places of quality and character" exist within Albuquerque. Spaces such as:

Tiguex Park
Old Town
Hyder Park
the plaza of the National Hispanic Cultural Center
If it were more pedestrian-friendly, Nob Hill
(I'm sure there are more, but it's been a long day...)

What drove the development of these spaces? What was lacking in the intent and execution of our not-so-inspiring spaces?

Comment by Benny the Icepick on December 4, 2007 at 10:38pm: One of the planners in my architecture firm sent this around a couple months ago. It's definitely something to take to heart, and something we're working to develop.

Thanks for sharing, NN!

Comment by Jessie on December 4, 2007 at 10:56pm: Great find. I'm a longtime reader of Kunstler's blog and find his ideas to be quite powerful, especially about how every day life is going to (have to) change in the coming years.

Comment by once banned twice shy on December 5, 2007 at 10:07am: I like it, but I often think that the Automotive Ghetto IS what Americans are.

Comment by Doc Mara on February 4, 2008 at 5:37pm: I agree once banned, but Kunstler's point is that we are about to get to a place where we can't be that anymore. He's talking about what has to come next for us to survive. No more subsidized suburbia. It's just about over.