Econ-archi-landscape Urbanist
I am an economist. My base education is in economics. I understand theories behind domestic and world markets. I understand the difference between correlation and causation. I believe people are incentive driven, not equivalent to financially driven.
I CAN…
- develop a business plan
- make informed financial decisions
- apply cost-benefit analysis across a range scenarios
I CANNOT…
- tell you which stock to pick this week
- do your taxes
Courtesy of Moe W.
So, what does this have to do with urbanism?
I am an architect. My specialized education is in architecture. I understand shifts in the history of architectural theory. I understand the difference between modern and contemporary. I believe good design, on all levels, can improve our day to day lives.
I CAN…
- develop a program and concept for many typologies
- make informed technical decisions from a design perspective
- produce pretty pictures
I CANNOT…
- engineer the structure of a skyscraper
- build an entire house with regard to all trades
Skyline of Houston, Texas.
Still, what does this have to do with urbanism?
I am a landscape urbanist. My applied education is in urbanism and the landscape. I see both the landscape and architecture as the medium through which cities are created, transformed, and defined. I apply the knowledge of economic and architectural theory to understand the scale of cities and understand what drives the form of cities. I design from the outside-in, rather than the inside-out. I look at cultural, social, ecological, architectural, and geographic contexts before I look at property lines and site topography. We all like to think we do this, but often times we do not. Cities are layers of surfaces and infrastructure that exist within larger networks. Therefore, when creating something new, you are always adding to this system. Whether it adds value to the tissue of the city or detracts from it, is up to you.
Some would say this is a rosy view. The practice of architecture has clients, deadlines, and budgets. Regardless, constraints of any variety are what make a project interesting. They provide incredible and often competing challenges.
This is why I must and do wear three hats.
Courtesy of As and When Images.
I am an economist.
I am an architect.
I am a landscape urbanist.
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