Adventures In New Urbanism --- A Journal

[mwd2 0]

Very well done Louisville.  If I was still teaching transportation planning, I would be asking to steal your work to illustrate my much more dull lectures on this stuff.  But I've given all that up in favour of more free time.

 

It is interesting that good old SC greatly prefers a standard grid to any pod form.  (Too bad it was a little too road based but the mod squad seems to be working that bias down.

 

Keep up the posts.  the effort is greatly appreciated.

[louisville327 0]

She didn't kill me, thankfully, when I told her I had to take a sudden, unannounced business trip to one of the biggest cities in the region. My girlfriend is normally a very level-headed and patient person, and she proved it once again with the whole Bend Incident, as I'll probably always refer to it.

Bill White and I made it to the airport with plenty of time before our departure (with security screenings being what they are these days) and our plane took off on schedule.

Bend is not very far away from the airport that serves the small city of Norton, so the flight was a short one. Before long we were over the metropolis and starting our descent.

We were blessed by perfect sunny weather today, so the view outside my window was pretty fantastic. I could see the entire city stretched out below:

What I could see, however, was Bend International Airport, our destination.

The plane flew lower and lower toward the runway. I could now see Left Hill quite well.

Our plane came in for a smooth landing and in minutes we were docked at the terminal and ready to collect our baggage.

Sounds like a plan, boss, I said, admiring the fact that White always seemed to know exactly what he was doing at all times. It was clear he had been here before---many times, in fact---whereas I had only been to Bend once, as a teenager on a road trip with buddies. Hardly the same as a serious business trip. Speaking of this business trip, White still hadn't told me what exactly we were doing here.

We followed the signs to the Red Line train, the one that took us directly downtown. Once on the train, I asked my boss, So, what exactly are we doing here?

Bill White looked me up and down and said, You'll find out, just be patient.

Great, he was going to play that game. I decided not to press the point and instead just enjoyed the ride on one of Bend's sleek, comfortable subway trains. The Bend MetroRail, as the subway and ground rail system is called, won all kinds of design awards back before the turn of the century when it was introduced. Just in time, too, because the population of the city skyrocketed shortly after. Because of the subway system, perhaps?

You enjoying the ride? White asked me.

Yes, I am. It's very smooth and quiet. And fast!

As soon as I finished my sentence, we had arrived at our destination, the Filson Street station, right near the Bend waterfront.

We climbed the stairs to the surface and were greeted by the hustle and bustle of a truly magnificent city. You can't really appreciate downtown Bend until you've been there.

Uh, where are we going? I stuttered, trying to catch up.

To our hotel!

Turns out, we were heading toward the exclusive Bend Ryerson Hotel, built a hundred years ago right on the waterfront. Today the area is dominated by Bend's downtown riverfront park, a plush walkway and recreation area overlooking the Audubon River.

This place wasn't cheap, I knew that much. I later would find out that Park, White and Jacobs Urban Design has a permanent suite reserved at the hotel---courtesy of the Bend Metro Authority, the city government. I was REALLY going to like this job.

We got checked in and headed for the suite. After dumping our bags and getting settled, I noticed that it was already getting dark outside. Any sightseeing in the plan tonight, boss? I asked Bill White, who was unpacking his Italian dress shirts at the table in the bedroom.

No sir. We have a very early meeting tomorrow with the BMA---the mayor himself will be gracing us with his presence. We better be rested up!

I sighed. Oh well, maybe tomorrow we'd get to see the city. Okay, I guess you have a point.

He looked at me and smiled, saying, Don't worry, my boy, one thing at a time.

Soon later I got ready for bed, as night fell on the great city center of downtown Bend.

[Micah 16]

Nice region! Hope to see it developed more...

[jacqulina 162]

very nice coming on well,great pics excellent region,very nice night pics

[louisville327 0]

Just a quick note: I'm thankful to everyone who stops by to read this journal, even if they don't post a comment. This journal has one of the highest View to Reply ratios among all CJs on Simtropolis. For comparison, I put Adventures up against several other popular journals from the front page (with more than 8000 total replies):

Adventures in New Urbanism
Replies: 154 Views: 8877
Ratio: 58/1

Simtropia
Replies: 349 Views: 10978
Ratio: 31.5/1

Anduin Valley Revisited
Replies: 1413 Views: 48577
Ratio: 34.4/1

Experimental CJ Preparations: Internations
Replies: 574 Views: 12237
Ratio: 21.3/1

Brastoval Bay Area
Replies: 664 Views: 12987
Ratio: 19.5/1

Rhodesia
Replies: 325 Views: 10606
Ratio: 32.6/1

However, who can compare to one of the biggest dogs on the block?

City of Edmonton
Replies: 1421 Views: 116248
Ratio: 82/1!!


So, if number of replies are taken into account, Adventures In New Urbanism is one of the most-viewed journals in all of Simtropolis. That's pretty cool. Hopefully I won't disappoint too many people...

[jasperdeman.nl 1]

Wow, that is a very nice city! I'm pretty excited about what's to happen!

Please don't wait as long with the next update as this one .

 

See yah!

[PhilsCafe 8]

The region view looks really nice. What is that city's population, btw? I also like your storytelling and I hardly can't wait for the next update.

And thanks a lot for the explanation in one of your previous posts. It was in the 50's when housing in the suburbs was booming, right? In my country a development wouldn't have been possible, because there is not that much room (Only about 1 third of the land can be used and this again has to provide room for farms, woods, commercial and residential zones).

- Phil

[Sproxxx 0]

Yay, update.

What could possible happen next. I'm so enjoying this CJ. Keep it up.

[Darksun23C 0]

Quick question. Will mass transit become a larger part of this CJ now that were in the big city?

I'm from Boston, and very intersted in the history and functionality of our transit system, as well as urban planning in general. Reading some of the comments earlier in this CJ, I was really suprised that people viewed public transit as a place for the homeless and drunk. Here, at least where I live, public transit is clean, safe and a part of life - although we love to complain about it.

P.S. Is Boston and it's metro surroundings more towards sprawl or more towards New Urbanism?

P.P.S. GREAT CJ!!!!!!!!

[____----____ 37]

wow i was gonna say that the region view is truley stunning that is ideally what

i wanted mine to look like but you have pulled it off in amazing fashion.

 

looks like I'm browsing on google earth!

 

Alek

[Kakaze 0]

I love this! As much as I like it down here in Orlando, after seeing Savannah

[Kwakelaar 92]

Curious to see where you are going with your next update. Bend is a nice looking region.

[Deathtoall 28]

nice city you got there it really has distinct downtown and suburbs! Nice little story too!

[louisville327 0]

The morning sky was clear and blue, and the skyline of downtown Bend looked magnificent in the sun. I woke up early, before my boss Bill White, to grab a bite to eat and stroll the streets.

I still had an hour to kill after I got a bagel and some coffee at a corner cafe, already filled with morning diners headed to work. I decided to take a short stroll and gawk at the buildings.

That was the first clue he gave me regarding the purpose for our trip. Up until now I had absolutely no idea why I was here, or what we were supposed to be doing, other than meeting with the mayor.

White put on his superbly tailored suit jacket and grabbed his shoulder bag. Let's go see the mayor, he said.

Inside we found the elevators and took a fast ride to the top. As the doors opened, we were greeted by a magnificent view through the penthouse windows. We were also greeted by the smiling mayor of Bend, Mr. John Abramson.

Welcome, gentlemen! he said, reaching for Bill White's hand and then mine. Come on into my office. We've got lots to talk about!

[____----____ 37]

i think you really have one of the better downtowns on ST you do

a great job of blending it into the surrounding region it looks so great.

 

The close ups are sweet as well you have selected some really tasteful

BAT's that look like they all belong together, wonderful work

 

Alek

[PhilsCafe 8]

Great update. I like that downtown area a lot. I just wonder why you and Mr White are there. Everything seems to go well...

And thanks again for your detailed response by PM. It was an interesting discussion (BTW, I replied to your Message but the PM page was acting strangely, so I'm not sure if you received it).

- Phil

[jacqulina 162]

what a great downtown,and excellent view,great pics too

[lovedisco 0]

this is amazing..

[Rabid Tangerine 0]

Wow. This is really intruiging stuff. I am really digging the material you are presenting. Keep it up, I really want to know where this is headed

[louisville327 0]

Note: I have updated some of the Bend region and airport images to reflect how they really look as of right now. The images originally posted here were much older and didn't accurately portray the city as it should be.

Now you know.

[louisville327 0]

Mayor John Abramson is not a very tall man. In fact, he's shorter than me and I'm a couple inches below six feet. What he lacks in height he makes up for in brawn, because even through his tidy-looking suit he appeared broad, muscular and solid in stature. Probably a football player in his college days, I guessed.

Abramson had been mayor of Bend for some time. Three terms in fact. The length of a mayoral term in Bend is five years, and there are no term limits, so Abramson could conceivably add to his already 15 years of service to the city---that is, if he could win the upcoming election. Normally he could be assumed to carry the city in a landslide, but in recent months Bend's financial future didn't look quite so bright. A major company, Bend Carbon Fiber, had recently abandoned their massive facility in the city for greener (and cheaper) pastures overseas. With them they took 8000 jobs. Though certainly not his fault, Abramson had been taking significant political heat for the loss of the firm, and was no doubt looking for something to help him rebound.

White looked at me and then at the mayor, Well, I know, but I haven't informed my young protoge of the details, so you may want to discuss the project in detail for him.

Mayor Abramson took a breath, collected his thoughts for a split second, and said, looking at me, Well, my new friend, let me tell you a bit about this fine city you are now sitting in the middle of.

Here comes a speech, I thought...

Bend was founded right below where you're sitting some 260 years ago. A small fort was built at a strategic bend in the Audubon River by settlers from the East---they named it Fort Bend. Though originally settled as a defensive outpost, increasing river trade brought increasing money and residents to the fort, which before long became a small town.

Works for me, I said.

Abramson handed me a photo of the city with several names written on it.

The third largest district is just east of downtown, cleverly named East Bend, and boasts 80,000 permanent residents. One of the city's most beautiful parks is located on the eastern edge of the district against the border with downtown.

The other districts feature various attractions of their own, and all are fairly lovely to live in. Part of the reason for this is the fact that Bend has, for many years, discouraged sprawl-style building and insisted that outer construction follow the same alternating grid pattern as the older parts of the city.

I said, It's very good to know the mayor of such a large and influential city is so opposed to sprawl. Many mayors in this country are more concerned with the short-term financial gain to be had through sprawl development.

Mayor Abramson nodded, saying, Ah yes, well, you were right to call the gains short-term. There's always a revenue spike immediately after a new sprawl development is completed, but eventually the high costs of infrastructure, gridlock and pollution begin to catch up. Here in Bend, we've avoided much of that.

Bill White, silent until now, spoke up, Mr. Mayor, it's about time to get moving.

Ah yes, said Mayor Abramson. We have to get over to Washington Tower for the REAL meeting you gentlemen came here for.

Real meeting? I asked, confused again.

Abramson looked at White and laughed. You mean you didn't tell him about any of this?

White replied, No, I didn't. I like to surprise him.

The mayor turned to me, saying, Well, son, we're going to meet with the president of Washington Investment, the largest financial firm in Bend. I've been working with them on a bit of a renewal project for a couple of months now, and it's time we brought in the design team. That would be you and Bill.

So that's what all this is about? A renewal project?

Yes, indeed, said the mayor. Now, let's get down to my limo for a ride over to Washington Tower. We don't want to keep the billionaires waiting, you know...

[meinhosen 11]

I love the stories, and the pics definitely make the story come to life.  Great work.

Gotta comment on what makes this awesome: your downtown is great- dense, planned, cool-looking.  It blends well with the rest of the city.  The sprawl looks especially nice, exactly what I want my region to look like once its finished.  Bend's airport is amazing, looks like you put a lot of time into it, and it really shows.

 

Great work, all around. 

[screename 0]

What is ur mass transit sytem like in the downtown. Just wondering cause it looks like all you have are streets.

[Fischbob 9]

Excellent CJ, arguably the best I've ever read. I thank you for this new insight into new urbanism, funny how it should come along just as I plan to build a new version of my largest region.

I won't elaborate too much, but the style I built many of my early cities in was based on the simcity.com tutorial that tells you to seperate the different zone types from one another. And so I developed large gridded districts, each having one pure zoning type, causing nightmarish traffic in many areas. One of the biggest issues in these cities is commute time and most of my endevaurs to pave over the problem with avenues and highways have only brought more complications. This time, I am going to try to follow some of the layouts you have mentioned here to see if the overall outcome is better than my former methods.

 

Thanks again, I will definitely be following this thread.

[jasperdeman.nl 1]

As I already said a couple o' times, this is my favourite CJ at the moment!

I like reading it and the cities look great too! I'm anxious to see more.

[Dannato 4]

Nice to see in-game shots again to see how you implement your strict anti-sprawl philosophy in SimCity, though I also enjoyed the real-life aerial pics -- as a European, some of the excesses of the suburban design you showed was quite surprising to me.
(I was amused by that little sideswipe at Libeskind by the way ;-)

Downtown Bend is very dense for a city of one million, I guess the streets and sidewalks must be fairly lively, if not crowded. Looking forward to seeing your work on the suburbs.

[Wilfried Webber 22]

You can see on this map where the grid breaks down and the cul-de-sacs begin.

A grid, oh great! A grid with straight roads and streets enable teenage shitheads to go at 80 mph next to your house, a kindergarten, school, whatever.

 

Is that what you want?

[RadioheadFan 1]

Date: 9/25/2005 10:24:47 AM Author: Wilfried Webber

You can see on this map where the grid breaks down and the cul-de-sacs begin.

A grid, oh great! A grid with straight roads and streets enable teenage shitheads to go at 80 mph next to your house, a kindergarten, school, whatever.

Is that what you want?

quote>

     It occurs to me that what Simtropolis needs less of is comments like these. Don't have anything nice to say about a CJ? Keep it to yourself. I'm sure louisville will have a strong response as well...

Jamie

[____----____ 37]

i like the way your highway is one large loop, cool idea

 

Alek

[louisville327 0]

Date: 9/25/2005 10:55:22 AM
Author: RadioheadFan

Date: 9/25/2005 10:24:47 AM Author: Wilfried Webber

You can see on this map where the grid breaks down and the cul-de-sacs begin.

A grid, oh great! A grid with straight roads and streets enable teenage shitheads to go at 80 mph next to your house, a kindergarten, school, whatever.

Is that what you want?

quote>

It occurs to me that what Simtropolis needs less of is comments like these. Don't have anything nice to say about a CJ? Keep it to yourself. I'm sure louisville will have a strong response as well...

Jamie