Buildings
Why a Setback Can Change the Feel of a Street
A building setback can make a street feel enclosed, open or gently transitional; learn how to read the gap and choose…
The full collection
All pieces
Browse writing on streets, buildings, public space, city rhythms and neighbourhoods. Each piece takes one urban detail or question and keeps its scope clear.
Public Space
Bench, Ledge or Low Wall: Three Places to Pause
Bench, ledge or low wall: learn how each sitting place shapes a public-space pause, from a brief perch to a longer…
Streets
When Streets Became Numbered
When streets became numbered is a story of urban change: learn how systems spread, why they differed and what their…
Neighbourhoods
The Skyline Is Not a Neighbourhood Portrait
A skyline cannot explain how a neighbourhood feels. Learn what to notice at street level, from shopfronts and…
City Rhythms
A Rainy-Day Window Walk Through the City
A rainy-day window walk turns a wet afternoon into close city observation, helping you notice shifts in movement…
Our point of view
Small details shape the whole city
A doorway, a bench or a familiar route can change how a place feels. We look closely at these details and the choices behind them.