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A Patterned Language - Influential community planning and building design book by Christopher Alexander

Authentic - 1: conforming to an original so as to reproduce essential features.

made or done the same way as an original

2: not false or imitation : REAL, ACTUAL

3: true to one's own personality, spirit, or character

Autoluw - Dutch term for ‘nearly car-free.’ google

B

Bakfiets - Dutch term for a cargo bike

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The Color of Law - written by Richard Rothstein, discusses history of how U.S. government policies have enforced racial segregation in housing. He uncovers the role of federal, state, and local governments in creating and maintaining discriminatory practices that have shaped American cities and communities. Through thorough research and analysis, he provides a compelling account of the lasting impacts of these policies on racial inequality in the U.S..

Complete Streets - Roadway design concepts that prioritize safe and accessible travel for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation riders.

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Diner (American) - Architect Breaks Down American Diners

E

Epicureanism - a philosophical system based on mental tranquility, moderation, & friendships for happiness. Promotes a simple, virtuous life in line with nature. Followers may also focus on increasing the amount of pleasure in the world. Epicurus defined pleasure not as indulgence in luxury or excess, but rather as the absence of physical and mental suffering.

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Gentrification - The process of renovating and improving a neighborhood, often unfortunately resulting in the displacement of its original, lower-income residents due to rising property values.

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Human-centric Design - a design approach that focuses on the human perspective, their needs, their pain points, and the user experience, and integrating that knowledge in all steps of the design process. human-centric design aims to create solutions that are intuitive, functional, and meaningful to the people who will use them.

Human-scale Design - Design that focuses on fostering a sense of intimacy, connection, and well-being by tailoring designs to human proportions, behavior, and perception. The result is that the average person can use and relate to the objects, buildings, etc. they are surrounded by. For example, designing for a pedestrian and not a . It aims to enhance user experience by considering factors such as comfort, ease of use, safety, and aesthetics in the design process.

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Komorebi - a Japanese concept that refers to the interplay between sunlight and leaves when sunlight filters through trees. The word itself is composed of two parts: "komo" meaning leaves or foliage, and "rebi" meaning light that filters through. Together, "komorebi" refers to this serene and tranquil scene in nature, but more deeply it calls one to appreciate it as it is beauty that is fleeting and you must be present to notice and enjoy it.

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Le Plessis-Robinson - A city redesigned around 1990, based on traditional, historical designs Video

The Life and Death of Great American Cities - author Jane Jacobs critiques urban planning theories of the mid-20th century. She argues for diverse, mixed-use neighborhoods and stresses the importance of community interactions and urban vitality. Jacobs' work remains a classic in urban studies.

The ‘Local’ - A ‘Third Place’ in British culture. A pub or similar establishment that is frequented by nearby residents. These locals serve as meeting places where neighbors come together to socialize, build relationships, and share camaraderie. The local offers a space where individuals can not only connect and feel a sense of belonging within their neighborhood but also to unwind in a place other than their private house.

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Mixed-Use Development- Projects that combine different types of land uses within a single area, such as residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, to encourage a more diverse and vibrant urban environment.

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New Urbanism - a planning and development approach that focuses on creating walkable and diverse communities to reduce car dependence, increase social interaction, and enhance quality of life through thoughtful design and planning principles.

Noise Pollution - annoying, disturbing, or harmful levels of noise that affect the health and well-being of humans, wildlife, and environmental quality

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‘Old People Everywhere’ - A belief declared by Christopher Alexander that the presence of old people everywhere enriches communities and contributes to the overall well-being of society. He recognized that older individuals possess a wealth of knowledge accumulated over the years, which can offer valuable insights and guidance in various aspects of life that they can share when they are integrated into communities and everyday activities. Alexander emphasized the importance of intergenerational connections and learning from the past.

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Place Making - The practice of creating spaces within a city that promote community interaction, engagement, and a sense of belonging. An effective placemaking process focuses on a local community's assets, inspiration, history, and potential, and it results in the creation of quality public spaces that contribute to people's health, happiness, and well-being

Private Realm - The spaces that are removed from the public realm (One’s home, private backyard)

Public Realm - The spaces that are available and shared by everyone (town squares, plazas, sidewalks, parks, trails,)

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Road Diet - A transportation planning concept that reduces the number of travel lanes on a road. This reduction can allow for the reallocation of space to create room for other modes of transportation such as for bikes, pedestrians, or public transportation stops. The goal of a road diet is to calm traffic, decrease accidents, and enhance the overall quality of the street environment for all users.

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Stroad - a street that attempts to function as both as a high-speed road and a commercial strip. It typically has excessive width, high speed limits, and poor visibility, creating a dangerous environment for all users. stroads often lead to congestion, lower property values, and increased accident rates due to their incompatible design.

Sustainability - the practice of meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Involves using resources in a way that preserves them for the long term, balancing economic, social, and environmental factors to create a stable and prosperous society. Sustainable practices aim to minimize waste, prevent pollution, and promote equity and resilience in both natural and human systems.

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The Third Place - a place where people spend time, separate from the “first place,” the home, and the “second place,” the workplace (A neighborhood pub, restaurant, coffee shop, book store, park, etc.)

Traffic Calming - various measures taken to slow down or reduce traffic flow in a particular area mainly through using physical measures like speed humps, road narrowing, chicanes, roundabouts, and raised crosswalks. The ultimate goal of traffic calming is to create a safer and more pleasant environment for everyone using the roads and those living and recreating nearby.

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) - A development approach that focuses on creating compact, mixed-use communities around public transportation hubs to promote walkability and reduce reliance on cars.

Tumbled Brick - A new brick that has been put through a tumbling process to give it a textured, aged appearance by rounding edges, roughening surfaces, and fading color. This process mimics the look of bricks that has been in place for many years to add an authentic and charming look. This process does not compromise durability

U

Urban Fabric - Refers to the physical elements that make up a city, such as buildings, streets, parks, and infrastructure.

Urban Sprawl - The unplanned, rapid spread of development outward from a city center, often resulting in increased traffic congestion and environmental degradation.

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Walkability - the extent to which an area is suitable for walking. Determined by factors such as the presence of sidewalks, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, access to amenities, safety, and overall ease of walking from one point to another within a community. High walkability is associated with health benefits, decreased reliance on cars, and a more vibrant, connected community.

Walkable City Rules - Book by urban planner Jeff Speck. Presents a practical guide outlining 101 essential strategies for creating vibrant, safe, and pedestrian-friendly communities. A comprehensive resource for city planners, policymakers, architects, and community members looking to improve the quality of life in their cities. Provides insights and actionable steps to promote walkability, sustainability, and overall well-being in urban areas.

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Zoning: Regulations that dictate how land within a city can be used, such as for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes.

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15-minute City - A concept that aims to create urban environments where residents can access all the necessities of daily life within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their homes. This includes essential services such as grocery stores, schools, healthcare facilities, parks, and public transportation.