Teacher & Urbanist, President of Strong Towns Blono, Board Member of Bloomington-Normal Community Land Trust
Bloomington, IL
Joined April 2012
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@notjustbikes @CityBeautifulYT you've inspired me to do an urbanist side project: "Ghosts of the Past."
Most people don't realize the parking lots in downtowns used to be vibrant storefronts with history and character. #urbanplanning #urbandesign
In 1919, Bloomington made its first real attempt at urban planning. They commissioned Edward Bennett, a partner of urban planner Daniel Burnham, to envision a cultural district center around a civic square on the 200 north block of Prairie Street. It never came to fruition.
Today, it has been turned to surface parking. A center of civic life usurped by car storage. One stirs pride, inspiration, and is economically productive. the other: a byproduct of poor planning that deters pedestrians, adds to the urban heat island, & destroys a sense of place.
Noah Tang 🌹 retweeted
Hi, Central Illinois! Courtyard Urbanism is coming to Bloomington-Normal (home of Rivian and one of the most promising downtown-repair opportunities in the Midwest) on Thursday, July 23.
Across the Midwest, towns and small cities are asking the same question, "How can we grow again without repeating the mistakes of sprawl, megaprojects, or anonymous apartment blocks?"
Courtyard urbanism offers a practical answer. Mid-rise courtyard blocks can add homes for families with kids, young workers, students, seniors, and local employees while also making downtowns more beautiful, walkable, green, and socially connected. Instead of pushing growth to the edge of town, this model helps repair the center. More residents near shops, schools, parks, transit, restaurants, jobs, and civic life.
Our 2026 Downtown Charrette will begin with public engagement and a keynote from Alicia Pederson, the Courtyard Urbanist, on how Bloomington-Normal and other Midwestern communities can use courtyard blocks to grow their population, welcome families, strengthen local businesses, and dramatically improve urban quality.
The event will be held in the Governor Fifer Courtroom on the third floor. The space is fully elevator accessible.
The attention to detail given to even the rooflines of these 1800s main street buildings is insane. We need to be proud of what we build today.
#urbanism #architecture
I love looking into unrealized city plans. This is a 1919 plan by City Beautiful urban planner Edward Bennett for a "Victory Square" and new civic center for Bloomington, Illinois. Right now, most of these lots are under developed parking lots. #newurbanism #urbanplanning
Noah Tang 🌹 retweeted
Pedal around places with great infrastructure for long enough, and you’ll often witness the most remarkable little things.
Fully-grown adults momentarily losing themselves in the childlike emotion that made them fall in love with cycling in the first place: the simple joy of it. – at Utrecht, The Netherlands
ALT A man and woman in casual winter attire cycle side-by-side while holding hands on a red separated cycle path lined with grass and deciduous trees in Utrecht.
Noah Tang 🌹 retweeted
We can make our cities better one building at a time.
From a small bank branch to a vibrant mixed-use commercial building, there are hundreds of opportunities in every city to make small, incremental improvements like this. Over time, the progress we can make is extraordinary!
Noah Tang 🌹 retweeted
You want these buildings back? Support "Single Stair" Point Access Block reform.
Have you ever wondered: "what was here before?"
People forget that the city in front of them is only a snapshot in time. This same block has affected thousands of lives over decades. The question is, is what we have now better or worse than before? #urbanplanning @notjustbikes
ALT Before and after of Downtown Bloomington
I'm running the Chicago Marathon this October and need your support! I am running for the charity Golden Apple, which helps pre-service teachers improve their craft. I would not be in position I'm in today without them. Please donate!
fundraisers.hakuapp.com/noah…
