Thursday, August 2, 2012

Typical Summer Affair in the City


Often the city’s environment, encircled by inert–manmade materials and multifaceted infrastructure, makes us perceive it as rigid, unyielding, - a somewhat indestructible objects of social organization. However, at its basic level, urban environs display attributes of an organic nature, such as; growth, decay, and sometimes regeneration.  And the summer months accentuate both the vulnerability and malleability of our metropolitan environment, given the variety of project undertaken on infrastructure. Certainly, these interventions add additional aggravations, in the way of noise and air pollution, not to mention impediments to vehicular and pedestrian circulation, however, these are, in most instances, vital component in maintaining this artifact of civilization we call cities, as functional/well-oiled machines.

sometimes aging infrastructure is to blame. Baltimore, MD -water main brake



Re-design and upkeep @ Union Station, Washington,D.C.

?


Orange is deffinetly the "it' color for city landscapes

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Market Economy Rising




In the past decades metropolitan areas have witnessed the rise of open air markets, in particular around those gentrifying and up-and-coming neighborhoods.
Whether they are fresh markets, antique, or arts & craft markets, such communal enterprises are experiencing a renaissance in today cities. In addition, they provide a rough sketch of the vibrancy and prospects of a given neighborhood, and/or of the community at-large.  These markets connect citizens to the source and method of their food production, and perform a civic role the ‘modern supermarket’ with its expediency and helpfulness never quite attained.
Perhaps, this demonstrates we have tried to build community erroneously around value and dimensions of the residential quarters, rather than dwellings following desired amenities and lifestyle…

@ Grand Army Plaza - Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY

Antique/vintage goods sales at Fells Point, Baltimore, MD


Art and Crafts Market, Brooklyn, NY

Sale of tapestries, JFX Farmer's Market, Baltimore, MD



Friday, June 22, 2012

Waterfront Sailabration, Baltimore 2012


The Inner Harbor is undoubtedly Baltimore’s most popular attraction, both for visitor and residents alike, and for the 2012 Star-spangled Sailabration this past June, the famed waterfront served as the epicenter for various activities commemorating Baltimore’s, and the State of Maryland contributions in the War of 1812.
Ironically for this occasion, the Harbor itself was something of a backdrop; a supporting role to the main attractions - dozens of naval vessels from around the world docked throughout the city’s piers. Above all, the Tall ships with their traditional rigging, striking profiles and their crew members immaculately uniformed.
An event such as this, highlight the value public spaces along bodies of water provide for high-profile civic activities, - and if such sites can establish some modicum of historical significance, such as in Sailabration; better yet.
This prospect of generating a new urban identity is one of the main reasons metropolitan areas with a waterfront are being realigned, adapted or in some instances turned inside-out to capitalize on what were until recently, neglected or previously blighted industrial zones. Therefore, municipalities and districts are feverously encouraging design firms to generate proposals to revitalize and/or re-envision these sites as tourism magnets and of commercial centers. Fortunately Baltimore has a head start on this paradigm.





Ecuadoran Navy: Guayas






Mast Mexican Navy: Guauhtemoc


Brazil's Navy: Cisne Branco