Paul Wack

Defining Sustainability: A Challenge for the Next FOCUS

Paul Wack — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:26:43 PDT

Have you ever been stuck trying to respond to the question 'what is “sustainability”?' Many planners have a basic understanding of what they think this concept means, but have a difficult time articulating it through a succinct definition that generates at least a responsive nod appreciation for the attempt, especially among the general public. Paul Wack and FOCUS issue a challenge to see if anyone on this planet can offer such a definition for a concept that potentially possesses the necessary components to confront the evolving forces of climate change.

Village Homes, Davis California: A Learning Lab for Future Planners

Paul Wack — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:26:39 PDT

Built in the 1970s, Village Homes is an extremely successful housing development in Davis, California, and considered a model of sustainable community design. Energy-conscious houses are organized around a system of pedestrian-friendly streets and open spaces, with community facilities, shared gardens, orchards, and vineyards, all managed by residents. Professor Paul Wack, a founder of the Sustainable Environments minor in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, has been adopting it as a case-study for his classes for several years.

Sustainability and Interdisciplinary Education: Planning and the CAED Sustainable Environments Program

Paul Wack — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:41:57 PST

For the past fifteen years, through an interdepartmental effort, the College of Architecture and Environmental Design has been offering an interdisciplinary minor on Sustainable Environments. CRP professor Paul Wack, a devoted co-founder and one of its most popular instructors, writes about this unique and popular initiative which recently received a national educational award from the American Institute of Architects.

The World Changed Today: A Ten Year Reflection for a Climate Changing World

Paul Wack — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:41:44 PST

In this article Paul Wack offers us a reflection on two of the most important issues for the planning profession: climate change and the public’s short attention span. He starts by addressing a 1895 poem depicting an optimistic view of the future which the late musician John Denver used to recite during his concerts, and in which Paul finds much inspiration for his classes. The article also ties into the next one, titled “Hot Topic”, dealing with the same theme and originally published in the APA’s Planning magazine.

New Zealand's Search for Sustainability: Ideas for California Planning

Paul Wack — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:44:46 PST

New Zealand, or Aotearoa to the native Maori, is a small island nation of 4 million people and 47 million sheep, located across the Tasman Sea from Australia. The home of the Kiwi (an endangered bird, a popular fruit, and the friendly people) is about the size of Colorado, although the shape of the north and south islands would approximate the elongated length of California.

Much of New Zealand would remind us of Oregon and the Sierras with their majestic Southern Alps. Overall, New Zealand reminds me of California during the 1950’s, before urban sprawl kicked in with a vengeance. As a former British colony, New Zealand had followed the traditional Town and Country Planning model, until the early 1990’s when sustainability became a major interest to a wide range of national politicians and officials, planners, and citizens. Unlike the U.S., New Zealand has been very active in attempting to address global issues at both the national and local level, especially since the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Village Homes, Davis, California: A Learning Lab for Future Planners

Paul Wack — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:44:34 PST