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.
My Top Six Learnings from Amsterdam (with Photos)
Amsterdam rewards curiosity. I arrived with a notebook, my city planner’s lens, and my urban curiosity in full blaze. I left with new ways of thinking about bikes, water, greenery, and design.
The 10 Best Books on Cities and Urban Life (That I Actually Recommend)
If you’ve ever wondered why some streets sing and others snore, these ten books will jolt your urban imagination awake. No polite city-planning manuals here—just sharp takes, sly humour, and a love of the messy metropolis.
What Kind of a European City are you?
QUIZ: What Kind of European City Are You?
(Based on Your Weekend Habits)
Introduction
We all have a “city personality.” Some of us are Sunday market strollers, some are late-night flâneurs, and some are spreadsheeting their transit routes before breakfast. This quiz will reveal which European city you secretly are — not by asking about your favourite monuments, but by looking at what you do with your downtime.
Urban Planning Glossary
Listicle, McSweeney’s (Internet Tendencies) - April 24, 2025
Are you a citizen trying to understand urban planning? A newly minted planner who keeps accidentally saying “zoning entitlement” in casual conversation? A mayor who treats public hearings as open-eyed nap practice?
You’ve come to the right glossary. Only planners can magically turn a small park into a placemaking activation node. This glossary features definitions that tell the real story. Look for the one not-real-term-but-should-be.