Author: Chuck Wolfe

Charles R. (Chuck) Wolfe, M.R.P., J.D. provides a unique perspective about cities as both a long time writer about urbanism worldwide and an attorney in Seattle, where he focuses on land use and environmental law and permitting. In particular, his work involves the use of sustainable development techniques and innovative land use regulatory tools on behalf of both the private and public sectors. He is also an Affiliate Associate Professor in the College of Built Environments at the University of Washington, where he teaches land use law at the graduate level. He contributes regularly to several publications including Planetizen, CityLab/The Atlantic Cities, The Atlantic, The Huffington Post, Grist, seattlepi.com, and Crosscut.com. He blogs at myurbanist.com.

casting light on the legacy of the American city

On By Chuck WolfeIn everyday urbanism, placemaking, urban views3 Comments

I imagined a contest today—for the best snapshot portrayal of the DNA of the American city.

The challenge would read, simply, “the first prize will be awarded to the photograph that the judges believe embraces not where we are going, but where we have been”.

I have no doubt that my entry would be the image above, a recent spontaneous capture in Minneapolis, featuring an eery dusk light on classic brick and an iconic American car.

I am left wondering whether or not I would win, and what the prize would be.

Image composed by the author.

perhaps all the world’s an urban driveway

On By Chuck WolfeIn everyday urbanism, placemaking, sustainability, urban views2 Comments

In urban places, man-made features, such as buildings, pavement and vehicles can compromise the human connection to the surrounding natural environment.

In the image above, the prominence of the skyline, the parking lot, the car and its doors all deeenphasize the relationship between the two individuals and the adjacent lake.

To parody Shakespeare in As You Like It, perhaps all the world’s an urban driveway.

Image composed by the author.

what sunset silhouettes explain about the city

On By Chuck WolfeIn everyday urbanism, pedestrianism, placemaking, urban views5 Comments

What do sunset silhouettes underscore about the fundamentals of a successful urban place?

A quick read of these sequential photographs immediately underscores the important of water access, natural views, climate-based natural color, safety for all ages, the importance of walking and social interaction.

Here, rather than the written word, shadows provide short stories surrounding core elements of city life.

All photographs composed by the author.

from the urban vernacular to the urban spectacular

On By Chuck WolfeIn everyday urbanism, infill development, placemaking, urban views5 Comments

This morning, in my Seattle neighborhood breakfast venue, I had a flashback. The outdoor umbrellas became in mind’s eye, the spectacular Parasol of Seville, Spain.

Because I have been both places, literal form became abstract, functional became stylistic, and I reinterpreted both places with new appreciation.

Through such urban gestalts, the vernacular can easily become the spectacular.

All images composed by the author.

placemaking with paper

On By Chuck WolfeIn everyday urbanism, infrastructure, pedestrianism, placemaking7 Comments

The role of color in cities is a common focus, and dramatic results are often easily achieved. With minimal effort, bland infrastructure becomes more welcoming, as temporary urban art installations explore the limits of the livable city.

Image composed by the author.