Alright, loyal readers of Battling Burnham! You've patiently (or perhaps impatiently, if you're stuck in traffic) followed our rants, raves, and deep dives into the glorious mess that is American urban planning. We've questioned why our cities look the way they do, why we pay for what we pay for, and why we collectively seem to prefer wide roads over walkable streets. We've talked about grand plans and small plans, about concrete castles and fleeting freedoms.
Well, buckle up, because we're about to take this show on the road – literally!
From Blog Post Ideas to Real-Life Exploration: The Genesis of "Built and Human"
A while back, I teased an idea for a future blog series: a grand tour of cities around the world, asking the simple but profound question: "How do they do it?" How do other cultures build, manage, and live in their urban spaces? And crucially, is it… better? Is there a different way to design transportation, manage housing, foster community, or deal with infrastructure that might make our American urban hearts swell with envy (or, perhaps, a healthy dose of inspiration)?
Turns out, that little thought experiment has been quietly brewing, stewing, and percolating into something much more ambitious. Thanks to some serious planning (the good kind, not the "bulldoze everything" kind) and the happy accident of life, that future blog series is now slated to become a YouTube channel!
That’s right, folks. You're getting the exclusive sneak peek. I’ve already started laying the groundwork, dabbling in the mysterious arts of video editing (spoiler: it's harder than it looks) and channel management (spoiler: it's a lot like herding cats, but with more algorithms).
What "Built and Human" Means (and Where We're Starting)
The channel, tentatively titled "Built and Human" (because, let's be honest, clarity is key when you're trying to demystify complex urban systems), will be my personal journey into the living laboratories of global urbanism. Since I now live in Vietnam, and have amazing friends in China, I have the incredible opportunity and access to start exploring cities in these fascinating, dynamic, and rapidly evolving parts of the world.
We'll be hitting the streets, the markets, the transit lines, and the quiet neighborhood nooks to literally show you how different cities function. We'll be asking:
How do people move around without a car in [City X]?
What does a truly vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood feel like in [City Y]?
How do cities in other cultures deal with housing density, historic preservation, or public space maintenance?
What does "economic vibrancy" look like when it's not dominated by chain stores and parking lots?
It’s all about putting our blog’s core philosophy into action: getting past the abstract, challenging assumptions, and seeking out practical, human-centric solutions from places that often do things… well, differently. And perhaps, just perhaps, better.
Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It: We Need Your Ideas!
Now, this is where you, the discerning reader, come in. This channel is for us – the urban curious, the city shapers, the exasperated commuters. So, I want to gauge your interest and, more importantly, get your input!
Is this something you'd be genuinely interested in watching?
What specific aspects of city life or urban planning would you be most curious to see covered in a global context? (Think beyond the obvious: drainage systems? recycling? street vending regulations? local governance structures? community organizing?)
Are there particular cities or regions outside of Vietnam and China that you'd love to see explored if the channel takes off?
What "problems" in American cities do you wish we could just... see a working alternative for?
This is a new adventure, and while it's a bit of an unusual post for our regular programming, your commentary would be incredibly helpful as I build this new platform. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
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