OKC Central: Sunday Flashback: "The Misconception That Cities 'Happen' And Need Not Be Designed"

OKC Central: Sunday Flashback: "The Misconception That Cities 'Happen' And Need Not Be Designed"

Steve Lackmeyer posts a 1964 article on Oklahoma City's Classen Blvd by Phillip Morris -- "I'm stunned at the discovery of this 1964 article - stunned at the depth of discussion of urban planning, stunned at the foreshadowing of issues to follow, and quite frankly, uncertain what to make of it all." -- and it leads to an excellent discussion of urban design ideas, a discussion that includes the author of that 1964 story. One especially interesting aside by Morris:

"FYI, the City of Birmingham (truly a center city wrapped by close suburbs) used urban renewal only for UAB expansion, but in the 1980′s established more than 20 design review districts overseen by a single board with guidelines written with input from property owners (who must organize and formally request the designation before public improvements are made). They are titled "Commercial Revitalization District" and do just about everything you would in a local historic district -- but without the red flag name. Incrementally adds up over time, but only where the economic base supports development."