Coding for Community Character: Howard Blackson at TEDxAmercasFinestCity
Channel: TEDx Talks
Date: 11/08/2011

The Architecture of Community

Howard Blackson Urban Designer -- Placemakers

As a Principal & Director of Planning, for PlaceMakers, Howard's approach to coding allows jurisdictions to design for social, economic, and physical complexity at the neighborhood scale. His current work formulating local development models to leverage economic value engages the California redevelopment debate, mollifying reactive NIMBY fears through an explicit "architecture of community."

A native San Diegan with 20-years of professional urban design experience, Howard is working toward continuing our city's pivotal role in redefining our nation's built environment over the last century. From Goodhue's inventive Spanish Colonial Revival classicism in 1915; to the Federal Housing Authority's unveiling of subsidized suburban sprawl in 1935; to the triumphant return of mixed-use villages as demonstrated by the Uptown District in 1986, the future of how we build our communities is once again being drawn in San Diego.

Howard believes planning means more than just the organization of infrastructure. It's the art of the process that results in the places we love the most — and that hold the greatest value over time.

TED was founded in 1984. The annual TED conference brings together the world's leading thinkers and doers to share ideas that matter in a variety of disciplines -- technology, entertainment, science, humanities, business, art, design. Short talks, demonstrations and performances are given by hand-picked beacons of inspiration, and all volunteer their time and expertise for no money. They do it for the experience, for the TED name, and for the chance to be heard and share their passion.

In the spirit of "ideas worth spreading," TED has created TEDx, a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.