Urban Design Discussion

The closure of the Urban Center at the Municipal Art Society reported in the New York Times seemed oddly similar to its report on the move of Gourmet Magazine’s library to the NYU cookbook collection.  In recognition that the most important things tend to go unsaid, both “book holders” reflect a subject of great importance to urban design.  It has the nickname “brick to click”.   

The questions regarding the importance of this subject are many, but most center on a single contradiction.  The general demand for additional “pedestrian dominated” places within every design scheme include the call for these spaces to be more reachable by walking or mass transit and less so by car.  I am compelled to offer this question. 

Will the trend toward the removal of specialized retail places as “social centers” reduce the viability of small retail business districts as destinations?  I mean there has to be more to a trip than getting a cup of coffee.      

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