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The winning video Built to Last will be will be showcased during the opening plenary at CNU’s 17th annual Congress (http://www.cnu17.org ). CNU 17 is held this year in Denver, June 10-14, 2009, and features more than 200 speakers addressing answers to today’s challenges – from the economy and retrofitting suburbia to carbon emissions and changing demographics.
The criteria for the contest was to create a 3-minute maximum video that illustrates how the principles of New Urbanism - density, design and walkability - can effectively respond to current environmental challenges that we face. Entries were also judged on creativity, originality and entertainment value. The judging committee was made up of members of the CNU 17 Local Host Committee and chaired by Heather Korth of Van Meter Williams Pollack. Submitted videos will be shown on a loop in the exhibition hall at CNU 17.
http://www.cnu.org/node/2853
The criteria for the contest was to create a 3-minute maximum video that illustrates how the principles of New Urbanism - density, design and walkability - can effectively respond to current environmental challenges that we face. Entries were also judged on creativity, originality and entertainment value. The judging committee was made up of members of the CNU 17 Local Host Committee and chaired by Heather Korth of Van Meter Williams Pollack. Submitted videos will be shown on a loop in the exhibition hall at CNU 17.
http://www.cnu.org/node/2853
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Hurricane
June 09, 2009, 06:52:18 AMGreat video and very insightful. It makes me want to make changes...
b real
June 09, 2009, 09:06:29 AMAwesome video! A concept that should have never been lost and one that Jacksonville can't seem to get. It's a shame that we think by building the Town Center this would be recreated......
Joe
June 09, 2009, 09:54:29 AMUgh ... I'm sorry guys ... I'm a huge proponent of the New Urbanism, but I think that video competition hit all the wrong notes for me.
I really couldn't care less about carbon footprint, and neither does the majority of the New Urbanism's target market. Successful NU projects have taken advantage of wealthy suburbanites desire for a lifestyle change, not an environmental crusade. One of the best parts about the NU is that it creates urban places that appeal to middle-class, middle-aged, (maybe even - gasp) Republicans. I hope the CNU never loses sight of that fact.
Apparently the whole point of the video was to focus on environmental issues, so I can't complain too much. But I think it's worth emphasizing that NU is really selling itself short if environmental issues ever become the main thrust of its marketing. It's about the neighborhood, the community, the design, the place, the aesthetics, the comfort ... it's not about carbon.
JoeMerchant
June 09, 2009, 10:07:04 AMI don't think that lifestyle change and environmental issues have to be different things, and I'm quite sure NU feels that they don't have to be separated as well...
I know I posted this link in another thread some time ago, but feel that it makes a nice companion video to the NU one:
http://www.contentdg.com/jacksonville-economic-development-commission-downtown-development/
JeffreyS
June 09, 2009, 10:11:20 AMJoe I agree. Lifestyle and quality of life will sell better than carbon footprints. Case in point developers all over America sell the public on driving an hour to and from work everyday by packaging an image of quality of life and not environmental issues.
Jason they do not have to be separate in fact as a sells man I know you should take advantage of every benefit. That said one something is always your alpha point the one you want in three minute elevator pitch and one is a bullet point for your fliers and memos.
will
June 09, 2009, 10:32:45 AMI really couldn't care less about carbon footprint, and neither does the majority of the New Urbanism's target market. Successful NU projects have taken advantage of wealthy suburbanites desire for a lifestyle change, not an environmental crusade. One of the best parts about the NU is that it creates urban places that appeal to middle-class, middle-aged, (maybe even - gasp) Republicans. I hope the CNU never loses sight of that fact.
The notion of a "carbon footprint" when presented in the abstract is pretty meaningless, but it becomes much more relevant when you think about the effects of that footprint on our medium to long term quality of life. I think the video does a good job of explaining that sprawl fails not just as a quality of life approach, but also as a question of a sustainable society. More sprawl just won't work. In less than a hundred years we've eaten up huge amounts of land, nearly ruined our water supply and killed off hundreds of animal species. That doesn't sound like a long term plan to me. I think we either change our approach, a la New Urbanism, or we burn the candle at both ends until there just isn't anything left.
hightowerlover
June 09, 2009, 11:22:56 AMcarbon footprint is a buzzword and it's bound to offend some. overall the video focuses on all of the massively positive impacts on going back to the old school of urban design. it just so happens that reducing pollution is one of the great improvements.
will
June 09, 2009, 01:09:52 PMPeople don't like to hear about carbon footprints,etc... because it means they can't just do whatever the hell they want. They want to hear that they can consume as much as they want with no cost at all. And they've been led to believe that by our consumer culture. But all that burnt up oil ends up in the air we breathe, and all that garbage we produce ends up in a landfill or on some once-pristine third world beach. Ultimately, I think the people that say we can't or shouldn't change our habits do so for selfish reasons - whether conscious or not.
With regard to new urbanism, I like it mostly for aesthetic reasons. American cities were once beautiful. They've been mostly ruined by sprawl and urban rot. I lived in Europe for many years and I can tell you that there is an alternative. We've just forgotten what we once knew very well - that compact cities just work better. But let's not forget the bigger picture. We need a kind of civilization that works in the long term - and not ruining the air and soil is a pretty big part of that.
samiam
June 09, 2009, 03:17:29 PMNew urbanism is a good concept, but we also need to place more emphasis on true urban areas. I have said many times on this forum "The greenest house is a house that is already built". Before we build new urbanism communities we need to consentrate on infill and connecting to existing infrastructure.