How The Environmental Movement Evolved Into Urbanism

The 1970s were the heyday of the environmental movement; the 1980s and 90s ushered in the era of sustainability. Today, the cities movement reigns supreme, according to Linda Baker.

1 minute read

February 14, 2011, 6:00 AM PST

By Anonymous (not verified)

Baker writes:

"People [...] began to realize that sustainability as a concept meant almost anything anybody wanted and therefore nothing."

"So opinion makers were once again cast adrift for want of a paradigm– until 2007, when the United Nations reported that for the first time in history, more people would live in cities than in rural areas. Mulling this over, the powers-that-be realized that they too, lived in cities and that urbanism was as good a metaphor as any for the kind of efficient green networks necessary to preserve the world for future generations."

Thanks to Mark Jenkins

FULL STORY: A Brief History of 21st Century Urbanism

Thursday, February 10, 2011 in PortlandUrbanista

Urban Development United States Urban Planning; Sustainability; Urbanization

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.