What a Forum

Went to the Seaside Institute forum starring Jim Kunstler, being honored today (author of The Long Emergency), along with the folks who brought us the New Urbanism: Robert Davis, Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and Steve Nygren. It was a wonderful experience listening to such great minds discuss the impact of the economic crisis on New Urbanism and Smart Growth. So many quotable phrases and expert use of language; I am so sorry I didn't have a pen and pad to take notes on their take of what we might expect in the near future. All of the participants were of course fascinating but, appropriately, James Howard Kunstler, was the most provocative. As he noted, his views don't include the necessity of pleasing a client so he challenges us all, with a sense of urgency and in no uncertain terms, to rethink everything about how we are going to be living our lives. I guess that is is probably why he was awarded the 2009 Seaside Prize given to "individuals or organizations who have made significant contributions to the quality and character of our communities". I haven't read his book but I'll be ordering it shortly.