One Year Ago Today
It was one year ago today that I entered my first post on Urban Review – St. Louis. Actually, on that day, I entered a total of six posts. I was very thrilled by the freedom of expressing my views. Today I’m beyond thrilled — I feel highly empowered.
The following is from my second post:
I view myself as an urbanist first and foremost. Dynamic urban life is more important than any individual building, sports team, business or mayor. Great neighborhoods, by nature, incorporate existing urban-friendly buildings – especially those that are historic by virtue of architect, design or simply age.
As an urbanist I see many mistakes being made in our urban environment. My intention with this blog is to highlight the positive and decidedly pro-urban parts of our city and region as well as show the mistakes. I hope that by showing the mistakes (and explaining why it is a mistake) we will begin to rebuild St. Louis into one of the countries great cities.
Much has happened in the last year.
The Century Building was razed, the Virginia Mansion was saved, and many new projects were built with many more planned. The number of people discussing and debating urbanity has increased substantially. I ran for Alderman and although I lost (44.1% vs 55.9%) I truly believe I made a positive impact. Twenty days after starting Urban Review – St. Louis I joined the STL Syndicate, an excellent collection of St. Louis blogs.
In the last year I’ve made a total of 345 posts. Many posts contain images and have been lengthy essays on the topics covered. I’ve enjoyed sharing my thoughts and meeting many of you.
The coming year will be interesting too. Many issues face our city and region and I will be there to comment on them. We have elections in November of 2006 followed shortly by races in March 2007 in the City of St. Louis. i want to keep issues like limited use of eminent domain, pedestrian-friendly urban planning and quality mass transit as part of the social dialog. Myself and some other urban bloggers are talking about getting together — a forum of sorts if you will. Together we will collectively lead the movement to demand better of our built environment.
Thank you so much for reading Urban Review – St. Louis.
– Steve
“Myself and some other urban bloggers are
talking about getting together — a forum of
sorts if you will. Together we will
collectively lead the movement to demand
better of our built environment.”
I am guessing that you are refering to forming a united forum separated and more expansive than Urban St. Louis http://www.urbanstl.com ? Or forming a collective citizens interest group to be progressive and challenge the STL City administration to change policy?
[REPLY – Actually we were thinking not of a virtual forum but an actual get together. – SLP]
Congrats on your blog’s anniversary! Thanks for what you do. St. Louis is a better place because of people like you.
Blog on! I love reading your blog. Keep up the good work and happy bloggaversary!
Keep Blogging!
There are reasons people want to read you:
You’re smart. And funny.
You’re a good, clear writer.
What you say makes sense.
There is a positive and generous tone throughout your work, including your design criticism.
Thank you for giving us URBAN REVIEW-ST. LOUIS. Don’t stop.
Steve, thank you for being our local Jane Jacobs.
Even Robert Moses’ NYC didn’t change its misguided “renewal” overnight, but in the Lou, Harland Bartholomew and company prove a tough act to follow.
Thanks to Steve, area planners and officials can’t help but be more aware of the increasing public demand for retaining, revitalizing and enhancing the unique energy of urban spaces.
Steve, I can’t say enough good things about the importance of the work you do here, and the positive civic impact that such a dialogue can have over time. You not only critique; you teach others how to see their environment and how to constructively address improving it.
You are a true civic asset and St. Louis is lucky to have you. Keep up the “tough love” through your intelligent analysis and criticism and keep that edge. We need it.
Steve, you are truly inspiring. Few of us bloggers can match your amazing output, breadth of topics and sheer chutzpah. Keep it up!
Congratulations on your first year, Steve! I’ve really enjoyed your insights…
You are a terrific resource. Thanks for the words and images.