The Carbondale Observer

Last week I wrote a post about the importance of aesthetics. I am going to expand on that by highlighting a particularly attractive part of town.  The town square is my favorite part of town – especially the 100 block of East Jackson St.

I want to point out the features of the block’s design that make it so appealing. Urban design is important because it affects how we use public space and how we feel about our spaces. This area is an example of what Carbondale needs more of. Read the rest of this entry »

I wrote three posts earlier this week touching on urban design and I wanted to follow up on those. I found this plaque on the Southeast Missourian Building  in Cape Girardeau. I’m not sure how legible the photo will be in your browser so I am going to quote the important part:

Built in 1924-25  Newspaper owners George & Fred Naeter wrote of their inspiration: “To add in a large way beauty and dignity to one’s town is to express affection for the community and confidence in its future.”

In other words, appearance counts. If building something beautiful and dignified expresses affection and confidence, then building something ugly and undignified expresses contempt for the community and indifference about its future.  Read the rest of this entry »