Looks like Django Django has seen Haringey's Development Vehicle plans

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Permalink Reply by Steve on March 16, 2017 at 22:52

As one of there own is now one of our own, a Tottenham resident, there is every chance they've seen the Demolition Vehicle. But the song 'First Light' is a couple of years old so a pure coincidence  - unless of course they saw the 'Light'!

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Permalink Reply by matthew cuthbert on March 17, 2017 at 0:27

They are enlightened, it's true

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on March 17, 2017 at 0:15

As I recall, Matthew,you're an urban designer. So you may already have seen Stephen Graham's book "Vertical".

If not I recommend it for an overview of the tendency of cities - and especially the richest residents - to climb ever higher. And lower too, with basement homes proliferating. I got it in the publishers pre-Christmas sale. But it's due out in paperback later this year.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/nov/23/vertical-by-stephen-g...

He gave a talk at the New York Skyscraper Museum last year. The quality is poor but if you start halfway there's a discussion which gives a flavour. https://youtu.be/84YBJWfzAAo?t=31m43s.

I haven't yet heard Prof Graham in person but from the book and that talk, I have the impression that he shares a concern that city governments need to pay attention to who gets to live where.

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Permalink Reply by matthew cuthbert on March 17, 2017 at 0:37

What a joy to have urban design discussed here, I can recommend Marion Roberts book on Urban Design also.
Did you attend Richard Rogers visit to Wood Green, years ago when he was tasked with 'urban regeneration?'

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on March 18, 2017 at 0:21

Thanks Matthew.
No I don't recall a visit by Richard Rogers.  Do you know when it was and what he said?

Did you have in mind a particular book by Professor Marion Roberts? She has written rather a lot. (A couple at astronomical prices). I've seen her publications for the Joseph Rowntree foundation. (Freely downloadable) Useful stuff about high streets and the night time economy. I liked her joke about the Night time Tsar being a "nightmayor".
Anyway, thanks again for this pointer. I'd enjoy chatting with you sometime and hearing your ideas.

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Permalink Reply by matthew cuthbert on March 18, 2017 at 0:23

We share a concern for universal care , I remember talking to an elderly woman in Silvertown, she refered to the 'ticky tacky houses' describing her historic home, she was relocated to a tower block, then forced to move from her home to another place, the tower was poorly built, but it was her home ticky tacky of other waist, we need to rake great care and concern designing for our citizens,

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on March 18, 2017 at 9:10

Matthew, I found a YouTube video of Prof Marion Roberts talking about the Night Time economy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWYKipMKyzw

Also learned - from the YouTube 'sidebar' - that Amsterdam had a Night Mayor (Nachtburgemeester) since 2003. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duONVYqnEfY

Seems a useful topic to explore as the Council encourages Haringey's night time economy. Though perhaps not necessarily in the neighbourhoods where our  "leading"councillors live.

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Permalink Reply by matthew cuthbert on March 21, 2017 at 19:33

I was delighted to see Marion again, thank you,
here's a treat for you another lecturer from Ballarat Australia, he has a very strong accent still.

Out of dispair we find joy as London changes beyond recognition.
https://vimeo.com/62689884

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on March 22, 2017 at 12:59

Seeing the film I begin to doubt my eyes.
I've photographed some of the bits of the Thames to which Leon Morrocco gives pastels and strong sunshine colour.
Not what my eyes and camera see. Though sometimes the sky repaints the greygreen river. As Nico Hogg's photo shows.

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