“Infinite Suburbia,” a collection of essays edited by Alan Berger, Joel Kotkin, and Celina Balderas Guzman, challenges the suburban notion that Lewis Mumford once described as “a multitude of uniform unidentifiable house... Read article

“By suggestion and example, I believe children can be helped to hear the many voices about them. Take time to listen and talk about the voices of the earth and what they mean—the majestic voice of thunder, the winds,... Read article

From libraries to light rail, my experience writing for The Grid has allowed me to explore and share exciting urban initiatives in Phoenix, Arizona. The desert city faces a number of sustainability challenges and it has ... Read article

As cities grow and redevelop, community leaders are constantly imagining new ideas to improve their businesses and neighborhoods. But who is keeping track of all these new sustainability programs, zoning policies, and pr... Read article

If you were asked to get out a pencil and paper and draw your city, what would you include? Maybe a few major roads, a downtown district, a large lake? If the result is a coherent map with connected features, you probabl... Read article

The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is fast approaching the one-year anniversary of its automated train system, the PHX Sky Train, a free automated train that connects travellers from the main terminal to parkin... Read article

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “affordable housing?" Crime, low property values, poor design? These negative connotations cause many cities and private developers to approach affordable housing projects with... Read article

Since the 1960’s, Arizona has led the country in growth, remaining one of the top three states with the highest population and employment growth rates. However, when the housing market crashed in 2007, growth slowed trem... Read article

Libraries are no longer limited to bookshelves and computer catalogs, but have transformed into places for children’s theater, farmers markets, community porches, and many other creative uses. Common built-in advantages ... Read article

In its continual search to be known for something other than its scorching temperatures, the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, also referred to as the Valley, has undertaken many ambitious projects. New resorts and golf courses... Read article

As cities compete to attract new residents and businesses, the importance of vibrant public spaces is undeniable. Organizations like Project for Public Spaces and The Better Block have demonstrated that when communities ... Read article

When it comes to shade tree coverage in Phoenix, Arizona, the city has been fighting an uphill battle. In a region potentially facing a 5 to 8ºF temperature increase in upcoming decades, vegetative shade is a critical am... Read article

Phoenicians have been searching high and low for a new identity to give to their sprawling Bird on Fire, branded by Andrew Ross in 2011 as the “World’s Least Sustainable City.” Last year, the City of Phoenix, Arizona Sta... Read article