CNU20: SHOOTOUT AT THE NEW URBANISM CONGRESS

Now if only this would turn into a good old-fashioned John Wayne Texas pistols at dawn shoot-out  - would have a classic Western drama.

Well actually drama and the shoot-out did happen, just not with pistols but with robust and strong debate.

The 20th Congress of New Urbanism was held in West Palm Beach, Florida just recently – and well read the article and see what happened:

I knew there was the possibility that this month’s Congress of New Urbanism — CNU20 — in West Palm Beach would be an exercise in brainwashing. While I was excited to be meeting some of the thinkers at the forefront of my profession, I certainly was aware that the founders of the movement were opinionated and outspoken. The number of attendees has way outgrown the close dinner group that began New Urbanism more than 20 years ago, but heavy hitters like Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Ellen Dunham-Jones, and John Norquist, to name a few, still have a big hand in the direction of the movement.

I was pleasantly surprised to find just the opposite. The first session was a debate on theology between two very prominent urban designers, Daniel Solomon and Andres Duany, which set the tone of challenging our own and each other’s beliefs in what New Urbanism is and should be.

You can read the rest at the New Geography site.

However I do point out to the video that was captured of the debate:

[Note you will need Microsoft Silver Light before you can watch the video]

WATCH Live: Looking Forward: New Urbanism and the New World

Very fiery but very robust and had me asking questions.

VOAKL will follow-up with commentary on the recent CNU 20 convention over the winter.