Phoenix Urban Design Week - Day 4

Today was the first day of the Retrofitting Sprawl Symposium. Ellen Dunham-Jones and June Williams -- authors of Retrofitting Suburbia: Urban Design Solutions for Redesigning Suburbs -- Presented on how abandoned stipmalls and big box stores on the fringe of cities don't have to become blight but instead be retrofitted into schools, community centers, urban hubs, etc. Nan Ellin, who is a former ASU faculty and creator of CanalScape, presented on what constitutes good urbanism, which she argues to be knowledge, skills and talent, and resources. Sh also spoke of her project CanalScape, which aimed at creating urban hubs throughout metropolitan Phoenix where canals meet major streets, and spoke of her new project along an old rail line Salt Lake City. Galina Techevia, Urban Planner, presented on a strategy to repair sprawl and promote sustainable communities. The symposium was attended by insightful people with innovative ideas.