Melbourne is a city defined by its suburbs. It is the distinct character of neighbourhoods from Footscray to Frankston that help Melbourne regularly sit near the top of world’s most liveable city rankings. But the quality of life provided by Melbourne’s suburbs comes at a price. Read more
One of the core human characteristics is that we crave freedom and choices. Where the car once provided freedom from the crowded, old city, it now is a device that enslaves us. Walkable neighborhoods allow us to overcome this. Read more
Nowadays, citizens all over the world are driving initiatives to improve their immediate urban environment. These actions help to promote a process of naturalization of the city through the improvement of green areas, reclaiming public spaces or supporting acclimation of wild species to the buildings where they have their lair. Read more
A temporary parklets experiment took place in parts of São Paulo last year, with the initiative being widely applauded by citizens. Now as a result of a recent legislation change, São Paulo has rules for the creation and maintenance of parklets, the first Latin American public policy on the issue. Read more
Is temporariness the most important contemporary urban issue? (And yes, temporariness is indeed a word). When architect, researcher and friend of This Big City Alison Killing got in touch asking us that very question, we couldn't help but think it was the ideal topic for our next #citytalk tweetchat. Read more
Take one of the most iconic modern monuments of America, analyze the original design by a world-famous architect, identify all the site issues, coordinate with multiple national, state, and local agencies, and have it completed by 2015. St. Louis is facing a challenge, to say the least. Read more
In January, a Brazilian flashmob trend made international news. With the controversy quietening, now is a good time to look at one of the most important urban planning topics highlighted during the event: shopping malls as recreational spaces and their function in the city . Read more