Jane Jacobs, famously “just a citizen,” nearly single-handedly saved Greenwich Village and coined the phrase “eyes on the street.” She lived in the neighborhood and was invested in seeing it saved. Every walk should be filled with appreciation for what is and imagination for what could be. I’m a huge proponent for “pocket parks.” Much better than disused vacant lots which fill rather quickly with heaps of trash.
On a related note I recommend John Stilgoe's book 'Outside Lies Magic' which is about seeing and understanding our built environment, and a very TAONish book indeed. I lost my copy, which I picked up at a secondhand bookshop (long gone 😢) but I see there is a copy on eBay.
The power walk as it’s laid out here is a great way to see a familiar place with fresh eyes!
Sort of tangential, but I like to play this game where if I see a commercial space for sale/lease, I contemplate what the space would be perfect for, and what would be a great addition to the block/town.
I LOVE this idea, as you might imagine. I’ve been thinking more and more about the politics and privilege of walking, and how things like the built environment influence our experience and sense of place and belonging. I also think there’s something to the idea that we fight harder for the things we love and know, so maybe we need to start falling in love with places more. This was a super interesting read. Thanks for the article link!
By the way, I’ve never been able to keep a diary either. It always felt kind of contrived and a bit too much effort. Instead, I fill notebooks with what I call ‘fragments’. Random thoughts, stuff I notice, quotes I like, memories, snippets of conversations overheard in a park, things I want to remember but are not so important they make it to a to-do list but feel meaningful enough to capture just in case, and my attempts at ‘exhausting a place’ inspired by Georges Perec – and which I think you talk about in your book?
I’ve heard them called commonplace books, which I kinda like, too.
Jane Jacobs, famously “just a citizen,” nearly single-handedly saved Greenwich Village and coined the phrase “eyes on the street.” She lived in the neighborhood and was invested in seeing it saved. Every walk should be filled with appreciation for what is and imagination for what could be. I’m a huge proponent for “pocket parks.” Much better than disused vacant lots which fill rather quickly with heaps of trash.
On a related note I recommend John Stilgoe's book 'Outside Lies Magic' which is about seeing and understanding our built environment, and a very TAONish book indeed. I lost my copy, which I picked up at a secondhand bookshop (long gone 😢) but I see there is a copy on eBay.
I look forward to walking again when my fractured, foot heals.
Oh my -- speedy recovery!
Cool read, thanks!
The power walk as it’s laid out here is a great way to see a familiar place with fresh eyes!
Sort of tangential, but I like to play this game where if I see a commercial space for sale/lease, I contemplate what the space would be perfect for, and what would be a great addition to the block/town.
Thanks for the article!
Always the best.
It’s a great read 🤗
Radical. Subversive. Enlivening. Thanks!
I LOVE this idea, as you might imagine. I’ve been thinking more and more about the politics and privilege of walking, and how things like the built environment influence our experience and sense of place and belonging. I also think there’s something to the idea that we fight harder for the things we love and know, so maybe we need to start falling in love with places more. This was a super interesting read. Thanks for the article link!
By the way, I’ve never been able to keep a diary either. It always felt kind of contrived and a bit too much effort. Instead, I fill notebooks with what I call ‘fragments’. Random thoughts, stuff I notice, quotes I like, memories, snippets of conversations overheard in a park, things I want to remember but are not so important they make it to a to-do list but feel meaningful enough to capture just in case, and my attempts at ‘exhausting a place’ inspired by Georges Perec – and which I think you talk about in your book?
I’ve heard them called commonplace books, which I kinda like, too.
Thanks for a packed post!
That was an interesting read! Really enjoyed it