Mastodawn

Fight fascism with fun places to hang out! #yyj #Placemaking

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:xmlxpu4drzbkfno5vw4wrv4l/post/3mi3gwtse5k2u

Bruce Nesmith Feb 23

For future reference: interesting thoughts this morning by Bill Fulton, articulating something I've been wondering about third places: https://futureofwhere.substack.com/p/is-the-third-place-dead #ThirdPlaces #urbanism #coffee #placeMaking

Is The Third Place Dead?

We're working at home and in coffee shops, living in our workplaces, and even trying to play ping-pong at the office. But we still need to escape to "The Third Place".

The Future Of Where

Show thread

Martijn Geerdes Feb 23

@anna love the typographic, multilingual mural welcoming you to Basel.
Or rather luring you to the Basel website
Nice landmark still.
#placemaking

Tyler Simonds Feb 18

Australia's "first new city in over 100 years"

https://www.dezeen.com/2026/02/11/plans-unveiled-australias-first-new-city-100-years/

What stands out to you? I wonder about noise pollution from the airport. And I love the look of the pink building in this photo.

#airQuality #construction #design #placemaking #urbanPlanning #Australia

Plans unveiled for Australia's first new city in over 100 years

American studio SOM and Australian studio Hassell have revealed plans for Bradfield City, a new 114-hectare city in western Sydney.

Dezeen

Tyler Simonds Feb 16

Could you or your team use some help? As I make a transition back to regular work, I've got some flex time that I'm happy to VOLUNTEER. My initial thought is a solid 3 to 4 hours per week, but we can certainly discuss. Accepting applications now.

I'm based out of Boston, reliable to contribute from home remotely or meet somewhere in the metro area for on-site work. (Especially downtown, central neighborhoods, Cambridge/Somerville, and the south/eastern part of greater Boston.)

As a mission-driven person I'm excited to consider even basic/detailed/grunt labor that supports the team, so don't be shy with your proposal if it doesn't sound like a perfect fit with my background. Question(s)?

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-simonds-4b601829/

Interested parties will need to submit the following:
- link to your website - as applicable
- description of the need, context
- preferred way to be in touch (e.g. phone or email)

I look forward to hearing from you!

#airQuality
#buildings
#climate
#construction
#energy
#IAQ
#placemaking
#renovation
#Boston
#greaterBoston
#remote
#remoteWork

(EDIT: Link correction.)

Editor Feb 12

Council draws up major new plan to reshape Swansea city centre and waterfront

A new long‑term plan for the city centre

The draft document, called Future Swansea, sets out how the council wants the city centre and waterfront to develop over the next 8–10 years. According to the Cabinet report, it replaces the previous 2016 framework and will help shape the next Local Development Plan, covering everything from public spaces and walking routes to new homes, jobs and major redevelopment sites.

The plan covers the whole stretch from the seafront to Dyfatty Junction and from the River Tawe to Westway, including key gateways such as St Helens Road and the St Thomas Waterfront site.

Derricks Music, The Midas Touch and the entrance to Picton Arcade — a snapshot of Swansea’s independent shops and long‑standing traders.
(Image: Swansea Council)

Building on recent regeneration

The council says the plan is designed to pull together the next phase of work following a decade of major projects, including the Swansea Arena, the Kingsway and Orchard Street improvements, and new office space at 71/72 Kingsway. More schemes are already underway — such as the Castle Square redevelopment and Copr Bay phase two — with others in the pipeline, including the Civic Centre and St Thomas former station sites.

The new plan aims to bring these strands together into a single long‑term direction for the city centre and waterfront.

Consultation expected to start this month

Cabinet members will decide on February 19 whether to put the plan out to public consultation. If approved, the consultation would run from late February through most of March. A shorter, easy‑read version will also be published so people can see what’s being proposed without having to read the full technical document.

The draft has already been shaped by earlier engagement with more than 1,200 residents, businesses and organisations, according to the Cabinet report.

Swansea’s beachfront and coastal skyline, with the Meridian Tower overlooking the bay and the city stretching into the hills.
(Image: Swansea Council)

What the plan focuses on

The council says the plan aims to make Swansea a “vibrant, green and liveable ‘City on the Beach’,” with better public spaces, improved walking and cycling routes, and stronger links between the city centre, the seafront and the river.

It also highlights potential changes around Swansea Market, the Quadrant, St Mary’s, High Street Station and the routes connecting the city centre to the waterfront. These ideas are at an early stage and will be refined after public feedback.

‘A real opportunity to shape the future’

Cllr Robert Francis‑Davies, cabinet member for investment, regeneration, events and tourism, said the consultation would give residents “a real opportunity to shape the future of their city centre and waterfront.”

He said Swansea had already seen significant change in recent years and the new plan “sets out the next steps in creating a greener, more vibrant and more welcoming city for everyone.”

Morris Buildings and a bilingual city signpost pointing to key Swansea landmarks including the LC, the Waterfront Museum and the railway station.
(Image: Swansea Council)

What happens next

If Cabinet signs off the consultation, the draft plan and summary version will be published later this month. Residents will then be able to give feedback until the end of March. The council will review all responses before presenting a final version of the plan to Cabinet for adoption as policy.

Details of how to take part will be announced shortly.

#CityByTheSea #CityOnTheBeach #placemaking #regeneration #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaWaterfront

Tyler Simonds Feb 6

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-simonds-4b601829/

Interested parties will need to submit the following:
- link to your website - as applicable
- at least one short paragraph describing the need, context
- preferred way to be in touch (e.g. phone or email)

I look forward to hearing from you!

#airQuality #buildings #climate #construction #energy #IAQ #placemaking #renovation #Boston #greaterBoston #remote #remoteWork

Tourism Currents Feb 5

Join me and the National Scenic Byway Association, along with small town event and visitor experience expert Vicky Soderberg, as we bust some tourism myths and give you a clearer way of thinking about what actually works, in a webinar on Thursday, February 19, at 4 p.m. Eastern. Yes, a recording will be sent to all registrants:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/busting-a-few-event-and-tourism-myths-registration-1980583141492

#SocialTown #tourism #travel #ScenicByway #placemaking #EconomicDevelopment #EventProfs #TrainingAndDevelopment #LearningAndDevelopment

Busting (a Few) Event and Tourism Myths

Bust some of the most stubborn myths that keep small town tourism and events spinning their wheels; go from "we tried" to "we nailed it."

Eventbrite

Panethos Feb 4

Fontane di Roma: Sculpted aquatic marvels of the Eternal City

Close up view of the Fountain of Neptune in Piazza Navona – the blog author’s personal favorite

Usually the first attractions one hears about regarding Roma, Italy are the Vatican and the Colosseum. The Trevi Fountain (Fontane) is usually high on the list too, but you may not hear of the hundreds of other fountains that dot the city. For us, these aquatic marvels, often sculpted in marble, were a particular highlight of the Eternal City.

We were particularly fond of the three fountains in Piazza Navona as well as the Quattro Fontane at the intersection of Via del Quirinale and Via XX Settembre where each corner of the intersection is graced with a unique fountain.

Trevi Fountain, while quite beautiful, is literally overwhelmed with tourists, making the experience much less than satisfying. Who knows if the recently enacted new two euro fee for those seeking close access to the fountain will make a difference.

Most endearing to this retired urban planner was the way these sculpted fountains served as a gathering place…a place of relaxation and contemplation…a third place to meet friends and family or to just people watch. The fountains also serve as a sanctuary…a place of respite from the hustle and bustle of the city surrounding you through the soothing “white noise” of the fountain’s gurgling waters.

American cities could learn a lot about placemaking from Roma and other Italian cities. From piazzas to fountains to gardens to monuments, many Italian cities radiate people-friendly attributes. One cannot help but become enamored with their endearing charm.

Provided below is but a small sampling of these wonderful works of sculpting art mixed with water — some are as much as 500 years old. Pax!

p.s. All photos are by the blog author.

_______

Fontana del Nettuno “Fountain of Neptune” (1574/1878) in Piazza del Navona Trevi Fountain (1762) Close up off Trevi Fountain Fontana delle Naiadi “Fountain of the Naiads” (1888/1912)

_______

Quarttro Fontane

Diana (1593) The Arno (1593) The Tiber (1593) Juno (1593)

_______

Teatro del Fontanone on Palatine Hill Bernini Fountain (1677) in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City Fountain of St. Peter’s Square (1614) in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City Fontana del Moro (1654) in Piazza del Navona Fontana dell’Adriatico “Adriatic Fountain” (1911) Fontana del Tyrennian “Tyrennian Fountain” (1911) Fountain in Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi “Fountain of the Four Rivers” (1651) by Bernini in Piazza del Navona Close up of the Fountain of the Four Rivers Fontana del Tritone (1643) by Bernini in Piazza Barberini Fontana del Nettuno “Fountain of Neptune” (1823) at the Piazza del Popolo Fontana dell’ Obelisco: “Fountain of the Obelisk” (1823) in Piazza del Popolo

#cities #fontana #fontane #fountains #fun #geography #history #Italia #Italy #landUse #peopleFriendly #placemaking #planning #Roma #Rome #sightseeing #tourism #travel