If you read these, you’ll begin seeing the city through my eyes! 😉

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  Civil Sidewalks, Lewis Lapham, and the struggle for the soul of cities: Cities often get vilified as the cauldrons of all that’s wrong in the world; but they are also the incubators of ideas that are humankind’s last best shot at solving the social and environmental problems that threaten our stability and prosperity. (San Francisco Bay Guardian)

• 100 Job Thinking: New media/economy guru Chris Brogan takes a look at the urban farming movement and its potential as significant and practical way to  grow not only food but jobs as well. (Chris Brogan)

• How SoHo Can Save the Suburbs: Richard Florida looks at how smart ‘edge cities’ are turning their shuttered malls and aging office parks into hip hotspots. (Wall Street Journal)

• How Social Media Can Effect Real Social and Governmental Change: People have always used the “social media” of their time to effect change. The internet is no different. Craig Newmark looks at a few examples of how ordinary citizens and committed organizations are improving the efficiency and transparency of government, one status update at a time. (Mashable)

• Authentic Phoenix: Architect Bob Graham comments on the search for authenticity in Phoenix and the need to integrate the old with the new. (Facebook)