I received word this week that one of the leaders of the new urbanist movement, Andrés Duany, is coming to Phoenix next month. While I don’t agree with everything that Duany has done, or the entire new urbanist movement, I am excited to hear him speak. He as close to an ‘urbanist’ rock star as you can get these days.

About Andrés Duany

Andrés Duany and his wife, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, founded Duany Plater Zyberk & Company (DPZ) in 1980. DPZ became a leader in the national movement called the New Urbanism, which seeks to end suburban sprawl and urban disinvestment.

The firm received international recognition in the 1980s as the designer of Seaside, Florida and Kentlands, Maryland. Duany also led the development of comprehensive municipal zoning ordinances that prescribe urban plans for a variety uses and densities.

Duany Bio (pdf)

Duany in Phoenix

The Phoenix Urban Research Laboratory (PURL) and the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning at Arizona State University (ASU) are  hosting two lectures by Duany on Wednesday, October 13:

Agrarian Urbanism

The first lecture will take place at ASU Tempe’s Memorial Union 230, Pima Auditorium (map) at 9:00 am:

In this lecture, Andrés Duany will introduce the theory of Agrarian Urbanism, based on examples of communities that have been and are being constructed around the growing of food. Included will be an historical overview of the incorporation of growing food in post-industrial agricultural communities, including the more recent work of progressive cities like Vancouver.

Planning for the 21st Century

The second lecture, will take place that afternoon at PURL (234 N. Central Ave, 8th fl. (map)) at 2:00 pm

In this lecture, Andrés Duany will challenge us to look at the future of American cities in a new light. How do the current crises of global recession and climate change affect how we design and build cities? Sprawl is the least sustainable growth pattern, yet it still represents a major portion of the built environment – how will we adapt, repair, and rebuild it? Duany will propose new ideas and innovative strategies for rebuilding sustainable communities in the 21st century.

Event flyer (pdf)

These lectures are free and open to the public. However, seating is limited.  So if you are interested in attending, I urge you to RSVP to aaron.rothman@asu.edu soon as I expect it will fill up fast.