Perhaps the biggest goal of urban planning and community development is creating a sense of place - a sense of belonging. But defining “belonging” can be tricky, and sometimes we’re better at defining what we avoid. On this episode, we discuss the subtle and not-so-subtle features in our environment that signal us to avoid. And then maybe we can start to get down to what makes us feel like we belong.
Spoiler alert: What is a welcoming signal to one person can be a red flag to stay away to another.
You can view the Show Notes + related content on our website at IsntThatSpatial.net!
Tactical Urbanism refers to projects done without permission from the local government or with any formal planning – it is DIY, low cost, and temporary. Tactical Urbanism is a tool anyone can use to get the public to pay attention to something the community needs, like more parks or bike lines, or even just to add some fun to the built environment. On this episode, we explore all kinds of Tactical Urbanism projects and find out who it’s for, its possibilities, and its limitations.
Then, I interview Roger Cummings, co-founder of the Minneapolis-based nonprofit Juxtaposition Arts, on the organization’s early adoption of Tactical Urbanism and how they’ve used it to engage community members that might otherwise be left out of the urban planning process.
It’s a big, fun episode!
You can view the Show Notes + related content on our website at IsntThatSpatial.net!
We often think of our cities and towns as their own entities in control of what they do, and for a good part history they have been. On this episode, we're going to look at how emerging tensions with states and the erosion of Local Control has been playing out in our communities and impacting spatial issues including the environment, economic development, and social issues.
You can view the Show Notes of this episode and related content on our website at IsntThatSpatial.net!
There are countless miles of hidden tunnels under our feet that we don't really think about. In this episode of Isn't That Spatial, we're going underground to discover the tunnels - from the little-known to the downright mysterious - in our cities and towns. Who knows what's hiding down there!
You can view our Show Notes + related content on our website at IsntThatSpatial.net!
This episode is all about vacant lots - where did they come from and what are we doing with them? We'll explore uses of vacant lots from the perfectly pragmatic to the more... creative.
You can view the Show Notes and related content on our website at IsntThatSpatial.net!
This is the final episode in our series, Spatial Topics In Film, and we're discussing Tales of Two Places - movies that depict two geographic settings as a major part of the story. Films we look at include 80s "wrong side of the track" gems, city vs. suburb "urban fantasia" films, and movies that contrast two cities.
Films discussed on this episode:
This episode is the second in our three-episode series, Spatial Topics In Film. In this episode, we discuss movies featuring simulacra - or simulated realities within the film, from sci-fi dystopia to alternate versions of our present-day reality. Films discussed include The Matrix, Blade Runner, Her, Black Panther, and The Truman Show.
You can view the Show Notes and related content on our website at IsntThatSpatial.net!
This episode is the first in our three-episode series, Spatial Topics In Film. In this episode, we discuss movies that depict the filmmakers' hometown and the unique insight into those geographies the filmmaker provides.
Films discussed on this episode include Dazed and Confused, Lady Bird, Moonlight, It Follows, and Hairspray.
You can view the Show Notes and related content on our website at IsntThatSpatial.net!
On this episode, we'll try to define the slippery term "gentrification" that refers to neighborhood change, for better or worse.
What does gentrification look like, how does it happen, what are the markers, and what can anyone do about it? Find all the answers here! (Sort of.)
You can view the Show Notes on our website at IsntThatSpatial.net!
ITS025 is all about babies and birth control - the geography of reproduction! We explore the spatial component of births, birth control, abortion access, and even baby name trends.
You can view the Show Notes and related content on our website at IsntThatSpatial.net!