{"id":225,"date":"2008-12-27T16:09:39","date_gmt":"2008-12-27T21:09:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pedshed.net\/?p=225"},"modified":"2024-05-23T14:27:55","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T18:27:55","slug":"e%c2%b2-good-urbanism-on-tv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pedshed.net\/?p=225","title":{"rendered":"e\u00b2: Good Urbanism on TV"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The Brad Pitt-narrated PBS series e\u00b2<\/a> ( “the Economies of being Environmentally conscious”) has several episodes about urban design and planning. For a general introduction to walkable, transit-oriented design and planning, I recommend the episode “Portland: A Sense of Place.” It focuses on the city’s rail transit<\/a> and aerial tram<\/a>, the Pearl District redevelopment, and the quality of life that can result from downtown revitalization with good urban design.<\/p>\n

Even better is the episode “Seoul: The Stream of Consciousness” which focuses on Seoul’s Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project<\/a>. This was a major freeway in the heart of the city that was torn down and replaced with a linear park and a re-created running stream. The best thing about this episode is the sense of hope and renewal for the city that is conveyed by the residents’ pride in their new park.<\/p>\n

These episodes are beautifully produced, not wonky at all, and will certainly hold anybody’s attention. The episodes can be viewed at www.e2-series.com<\/a>. Click on “Webcasts” and scroll down to the episode titles. They are also available on DVD and from iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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At the series’ home page<\/a>, there are short, supplementary podcasts that go into greater detail about each episode. The podcast for “Portland: A Sense of Place” features a concise explanation of walkable urban design by Peter Calthorpe<\/a>, an accomplished planner and architect. The podcasts can be viewed online or downloaded. There are also teachers’ guides available with short background essays and links to more information.<\/p>\n

Other e\u00b2 programs that focus on urban design include:<\/p>\n