I like. :clap:

 

 

ARCHITECTURE

Design excellence a necessity

If Cleveland raises standards, city's image will improve

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

 

Cleveland has a legendary case of low self-esteem, born of a half-century of economic decline and a generation's worth of jokes about a certain flammable waterway.  Can architecture, urban design and city planning help turn things around? Absolutely. Buildings, neighborhoods, streets, highways, airports and parks send powerful messages to the world about a city's vitality, self-esteem and confidence in the future.

 

The good news is that Cleveland should have multiple new opportunities to reshape itself in the coming decade.  For the first time since the economic slump that began in 2000, a large number of significant architectural and urban-design projects are under way or nearing the launch pad.  From construction campaigns at the Cleveland Clinic and the Cleveland Municipal School District to the reconstruction of the Inner Belt and the redo of Euclid Avenue as a rapid transit bus corridor, the city has multiple chances to redefine its image, strengthen its economy and make itself a better place in which to live.

 

But the transformation can't occur without a strong performance from architects, engineers and planners, and from the clients, patrons and elected officials who hire them.  The problem is that Cleveland's slide in vitality, population and status since World War II has been accompanied by an equally long slide in design standards and achievement.  The issue, always visible in the city, gained new prominence in April when the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland announced the six finalists to design the iconic new building it wants to build at Euclid Avenue and Mayfield Road. All six contenders were from out of town.

 

More at http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer

So so true... kudos to Litt for this timely article.  It would have been timely whenever he wrote it, but I think it's even more timely right now with all the big building plans on the horizon by institutions, government and developers.  I just wish he could've gotten this message across to the Cleveland Clinic about 20 years ago!

 

Thanks for posting, B12.

Ironically Shaker Square and Shaker Heights are good examples of urban design and neighborhood planning, integrated with mass transit.  And the Terminal Tower complex is (to me) a pretty good example of urban design, fitting a monumental buidling complex onto the cities central public space.

 

 

^True. I think Litt's saying we need to get back to those kinds of projects, which were all completed before 1940.

geez it is sad but litt sure nailed it.

 

i know he was trying to inspire everyone, but that puts a lotta pressure on moca. too much?

 

btw shop architects is the firm currently redoing the highline.