Jonny Aspen , Associate Professor at the Institute of Urbanism and Landscape in Oslo, Norway, coined the term " Zombie Urbanism " in 2013 to describe the way many urban environments are being designed today. I like the term, so I got in touch with Aspen and asked him about it--and how it applies to the redesigning of New York City, including the High Line, Hudson Yards, Times Square, and the new Astor Place. Astor Place Q: Can you give a definition of what you call "zombie urbanism"? A: I’ve coined the concept in order to encircle what seems to be an increasingly more prevalent, and increasingly more worrying, phenomenon in contemporary urban development, namely the cliché-like way that many developers and designers talk about and deal with urban environments in general and public areas and places more specifically. On the one hand I use it as a reference to what seems to have developed into an increasingly more homogeneous discourse, globally speaking, on...
You know, in a way I kind of like this. A no frills joint that fixes computers. Basic signage too. It could have been way worse. It's no Sucelt but at least it isnt another "new" NYC cupcake joint or something.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...four...counting the umbrella, which is a portable device, in a sense...? The guy standing at the door looks to have two things in his hands...phone and PDA? (Or are those cigarettes?) Plus the umbrella under his arm. And the fellow walking by has headphones, which must lead to an iPod, portable radio or something.
ReplyDeleteyou're right, nothing would have made me happy. i am relieved it's not a fancy cupcake joint though.
ReplyDeleteTwo words: money laundering.
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