Welcome to
My Urban Curious Blog:
Authoritative, Affectionate, and Occasionally Absurd
I have been writing about cities, urban design, and the quirks of how people live together for more than twenty-five years. Some of that writing has been technical, or professional. Some has been quirky, or heartfelt. Some has been—let’s be honest here—slightly absurd, usually after an unusually strong espresso.
What I Learned in My Year of Blogging
Writing the Urban Curious Blogs was about stretching my sense of play, my “who cares if anyone reads it” muscles.
Musings, fun stuff, riffs on things I’ve written or spoken about before. Sometimes even deep thoughts.
When ‘Balance’ Tips the Scales
Sometimes we let words like “balance” do too much heavy lifting.
We use it when we should be more transparent, honest, and real about the intense tradeoffs that are at play..
How to Get Lost on Purpose: A Guide for Urban Curious Explorers
In every new city I visit, I learn to peg a few landmarks—clock towers, mountains, a body of water, a railway line—and get a feel for the N-S-E-W of the place before setting out on an amble by foot.
Three Things I Learned About Belonging by Wandering a City Alone
I’ve always believed that the best way to understand a city is to wander it, alone.
Here are three things I’ve learned about belonging by wandering a city solo.