JHK & John Norquist talk New Urbanism

Released: May 24, 2012

This episode features a conversation between JHK and CNU President and former Milwaukee Mayor John Norquist and was recorded before a live audience during the Congress for the New Urbanism in West Palm Beach, Fla. this May 9-12. Kunstler and Norquist field questions from audience members on a variety of New Urbanist topics.

[Note: The server that hosts our media files was down yesterday for an extended time and was not accepting file uploads. The problem was resolved at approx. 11:30 p.m. – DC]

Direct Download:

KunstlerCast_206.mp3

( 48 MB | 54:33 mins.)

Urban Contraction, Urban Farming, Urban Schooling

Released: March 15, 2012

James Howard Kunstler speaks by phone with Catherine Tumber, author of Small, Gritty, and Green: The Promise of America’s Smaller Industrial Cities in a Low-Carbon World. Tumber believes that small industrial cities, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest, are well suited for the energy and climate change realities of future. Tumber is a journalist, historian and Research Affiliate in the Community Innovators Lab in MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning. In part 2 of this conversation, Kunstler and Tumber discuss urban contraction and urban farming as it is occurring in Youngstown, Ohio. They talk about the economy of Rochester and Syracuse, New York. Tumber shares her thoughts on living in Detroit, Albany and Boston. Though they share the same general view of small cities, the two disagree on the current battle over suburban sprawl. JHK believes the sprawl building in places like Youngstown is over, while Tumber says it continues today and must be opposed. They also discuss racial segregation and schooling in small industrial cities.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_198.mp3
(36 MB | 39:44 mins.)

Listener Caller Line:
1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free

ANNOUNCEMENT: The 200th episode of The KunstlerCast is coming up. Call the listener line and share your favorite moment from the kast.

Sponsor:

Join CNU in West Palm Beach, FL this year May 9-12, for the 20th anniversary event of the Congress for the New Urbanism. Confirmed speakers include Richard Florida, Sprawl Repair Manual author Galina Tachieva, retail guru Robert Gibbs, Fighting Traffic author Peter Norton, Peter Calthorpe, Lizz Plater-Zyberk, Jaime Correa, Andres Duany and many more speakers being added every day. *Note JHK and Duncan will be appearing on a living local panel at CNU.

Go to www.cnu20.org and register now to take advantage of early registration rates.

Experiencing the World on Foot

Released: Feb. 23, 2012

James Howard Kunstler shares his thoughts on the experience of moving through the landscape and built environment on foot, rather than by car.

 
New Reviews of The KunstlerCast Book:

OnEarth Magazine Review: The Kunstlercast: Conversations with James Howard Kunstler
Feb. 22, 2012

My fellow Gen X journalist Duncan Crary tells pretty much the same story of awakening slowly to the ills of suburbia, but with one difference: the small paper for which he covered local politics was in the town where Kunstler had started his own reporting career. Kunstler, who had settled in nearby Saratoga Springs, New York, and added dystopian novelist to his résumé, became a source for Crary’s reporting on suburban land use — a relationship that has continued throughout Crary’s journalism career.

Energy Bulletin Review: The KunstlerCast by Duncan Crary
Feb, 12 2012

This book is indeed great fun. … However, Crary’s superior volume has the guts to truly grapple with the harsh realities shaping our times—realities that few dare discuss out in the open.

Sponsor:

Join CNU in West Palm Beach, FL this year May 9-12, for the 20th anniversary event of the Congress for the New Urbanism. Confirmed speakers include Richard Florida, Sprawl Repair Manual author Galina Tachieva, retail guru Robert Gibbs, Fighting Traffic author Peter Norton, Peter Calthorpe, Lizz Plater-Zyberk, Jaime Correa, Andres Duany and many more speakers being added every day.

Go to www.cnu20.org and register now to take advantage of early registration rates.

JHK Gives us a Tour of His New Village

Released: Dec. 1, 2011

Jim’s finally found himself a new house, and it’s right on the edge of the place that inspired the fictional town of Union Grove in his World Made By Hand novels. Duncan brings listeners along for the scenic drive from Troy up to Washington County, before the two explore Jim’s new village and meet some of the locals.

Note: This episode contains cursewords.

Painting By Grandma Moses, who painted the landscapes of Washington County, NY

JHK Debates Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Paul Steely White

Released: Nov. 3, 2011

In this special episode we listen to a recording from: “The Long Emergency vs. NYC’s Resurgency: A Debate about the Future of Cities” featuring Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Paul Steely White and author James Howard Kunstler. Jeff Olson of Alta Planning & Design moderates before an audience at Skidmore College. Organized by Kim Marsella, professor of the Skidmore Environmental Studies Department.

Description: “We live in a time of either the collapse of our society or the emergence of innovative solutions. This discussion will feature two of America’s most interesting voices: Kunstler, whose book The Long Emergency: Surviving the End of Oil, is an apocalyptic vision of a post-oil future, and White of Transportation Alternatives, a leader who is helping to transform New York City into a livable metropolis. Both speakers share a common vision of the need for a sustainable future – the debate will focus on whether or not change is possible in light of our modern condition. ”

Links:

• Transportation Alternatives
  Transportation Alternatives’s mission is to reclaim New York City’s streets from the automobile, and to advocate for bicycling, walking and public transit as the best transportation alternatives.

• Alta Planning & Design
  Alta’s mission is to create active communities where bicycling and walking are safe, healthy, and fun.

• Jeffrey S. Olson
  Jeff Olson is an architect and planner who has been involved in greenways, open space, active living and alternative transportation projects for more than 20 years.

• Skidmore College: Environmental Studies Dept.
  The Environmental Studies program includes courses that are interdisciplinary and that address environmental issues from a disciplinary perspective.

• Kim Marsella
  Senior Teaching Associate, Department of Geosciences, Skidmore College

The KunstlerCast Book is Now Available for Purchase

Released: Oct. 27, 2011

CNU Fireside Chat With JHK

James Howard Kunstler and Duncan Crary join Congress for the New Urbanism CEO & President John Norquist for a “fireside chat” about new urbanism, the future of cities and other topics. This is a 25 minute excerpt from a one hour conversation that was original broadcast live over the Internet as part of the CNU membership drive. An archive recording of the full conversation is available for listening for CNU City Builder members. For information, visit: CNU.org/membership.

Not All Buildings Are Worth Saving

Released: Oct. 21, 2011

Jim and Duncan talk about Historic Preservation on their return drive from the annual conference of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, held in Buffalo this week. This show includes an excerpt from the keynote address Jim gave to kick off the conference. During the talk JHK explained to preservationists that not all buildings are worth saving — particularly the modernist architectural abortions of the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Note: This episode contains cursewords

Watch JHK’s full talk to the National Trust for Historic Preservation here:

Video streaming by Ustream

Upcoming:

KunstlerCast Book Release Party
Nov. 1, 2011
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Daisy Bakers, Troy NY

Books Available for Purchase via website next week!

Montana Now and in The Long Emergency

Released: Sept. 29, 2011

After a recent visit to Montana, JHK asks: What is living in a town in Montana all about? It seems like it’s mostly about the scenery outside of town, not the town itself: the streets are too wide, the buildings too low and the public face of the urban fabric is thoughtless and badly proportioned. Yet many so-called progressives in these places are arguing for more “open space” in their towns. Sustainability is the new buzzword there and elsewhere in America. But what many overlook is that the future of tourism looks pretty grim as more and more people have less money to spend on activities like skiing. There are many sophisticated people running high-tech businesses in places like Butte and Helena, but it remains unclear what the fate of telecommuting and Internet commerce will be, especially now that our national post office is in dire straits.

Note: This episode contains cursewords

Upcoming:

CNU Fireside Chat with John Norquist, Duncan Crary, and James Howard Kunstler
Tue, Oct 4, 2011
Time: 3:30 PM EDT
Duration: 1 hour
More info: https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/schedule/display.do?udc=gbiibdh5ci4b

KunstlerCast in Buffalo
October 19-22, 2011
During National Preservation Conference

KunstlerCast Book Release Party
Nov. 1, 2011
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Daisy Bakers, Troy NY

The City in Mind: South of the Border

Released: Sept. 22, 2011

Twelve years ago James Howard Kunstler visited Mexico City to write a chapter for his book The City in Mind. He recently returned there to speak at a conference. In this podcast Jim shares his thoughts on the history, present state and future prospects for this major world city.

Madison, WI: Bike City USA

Released: July 28, 2011.

This week James Howard Kunstler gets a much deserved break from podcasting, while Duncan explores the topic of bicycle sharing and tours the city of Madison, Wisc. First he speaks to Jason McDowell, projects & logistics manager for B-Cycle, a bicycle sharing company with programs throughout the country. With bicycle sharing, users can pick up and drop off bicycles throughout the city. Next, Duncan heads out into the streets of Madison with Matt Dellinger, author of Interstate 69 and blogger for WNYC’s Transportation Nation. Bicycle advocate Robbie Webber gives Duncan and Matt a bicycle tour of Madison, starting with the Dane County Farmer’s Market. Madison is a very bicycle friendly city, with a robust network of bike paths and bicycle amenities. This episode was recorded during the Congress for the New Urbanism in June.

Links:

B-Cycle

Transportation Nation

MattDellinger.com

Photos:

Google Map of bike tour route

JHK & Andres Duany Critique the Landscape Urbanism

Released: July 21, 2011.

JHK continues his critique of Charles Waldheim’s presentation on Landscape Urbanism, delivered at the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU 19). This episode also includes remarks by New Urbanist leader Andres Duany and a listener quesion from a conferencegoer.

[Note: This episode contains cursewords.]

Links:

Watch Charles Waldheim’s Presentation at the Closing Plenary of CNU 19

JHK Critiques Charles Waldheim’s Remarks

Released: July 14, 2011.

In recent years there has been a growing debate between New Urbanism and Landscape Urbanism, a theory that argues the landscape, rather than architecture, is more capable of organizing the city and enhancing the urban experience. In this episode, JHK reacts to recent remarks by Harvard Prof. Charles Waldheim on Landscape Urbanism at the Congress for the New Urbanism. In particular, Kunstler will respond to Waldheim’s claims that New Urbanism places too much emphasis on neoclassicism while not paying enough attention to environmental concerns of the 21st century.

Links:

Watch Charles Waldheim’s Presentation at the Closing Plenary of CNU 19

JHK Critiques Ed Glaeser’s Ideas on Urbanism

Released: July 7, 2011.

JHK continues his critique of the ideas in Ed Glaeser’s best-selling book Triumph of the City by using excerpts from a talk the Harvard economist gave during the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU 19). Though Glaeser is an advocate for cities in general, Kunstler feels that the shape and character of future cities is not going to be what Glaeser is expecting at all. Kunstler addresses Glaeser’s ideas about transportation subsidies, high-rise buildings, the value of college educated citizens and environmentally friendly urbanism. He also comments on Glaeser’s thoughts about Buffalo, New York. Links: Ed Glaeser: Can Buffalo Ever Come Back? CNU Dispatch: Ed Glaeser is Still a Jackass   Direct Download: KunstlerCast #163: Triumph of the City – Part 2 (31 MB | 36:46 mins.) Listener Caller Line: 1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free

These Links Earn Referral Fees for The KunstlerCast   Free Audio Book Download Via Audible Amazon Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback, CD, mp3 Audio Book in iTunes Store iPad Book in Apple iBook Store

Sponsor:

Orion Magazine. July/August edition featuring James Howard Kunstler.

Orion Magazine

Back to the Future
(JHK’s New Essay & Podcast Interview)

Register for Orion’s Live Webinar + Q&A Event
with JHK on Cities of the Future: July 12

[Note: Search for the Orion Magazine Podcast in the iTunes store.]

JHK Critiques Ed Glaeser’s Ideas on Urbanism

Released: June 29, 2011.

JHK critiques the ideas in Ed Glaeser’s best-selling book Triumph of the City by using excerpts from a talk the Harvard economist gave during the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU 19). Though Glaeser is an advocate for cities in general, Kunstler feels that the shape and character of future cities is not going to be what Glaeser is expecting at all. Kunstler says Glaeser is a “master of the self-evident” looking into the rearview mirror. JHK feels that Glaeser is preoccupied with statistics which do not present a coherent and comprehensive view of where cities and civilization is heading. Kunstler feels that Glaeser is overly optimistic about the future of skyscrapers, which do not fare well in JHK’s “Long Emergency” prognosis. Kunstler also shares some new thoughts on the problems of large, vertical condominium buildings.   Direct Download: KunstlerCast #162: Triumph of the City – Part 1 (44 MB | 52:37 mins.) Listener Caller Line: 1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free

These Links Earn Referral Fees for The KunstlerCast   Free Audio Book Download Via Audible Amazon Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback, CD, mp3 Audio Book in iTunes Store iPad Book in Apple iBook Store

Sponsor:

Orion Magazine. July/August edition featuring James Howard Kunstler.

Orion Magazine

Back to the Future
(JHK’s New Essay & Podcast Interview)

Register for Orion’s Live Webinar + Q&A Event
with JHK on Cities of the Future: July 12

[Note: Search for the Orion Magazine Podcast in the iTunes store.]

Orion Magazine Interviews JHK

Released: June 23, 2011.

In a special cross promotion, James Howard Kunstler appears on the Orion Magazine podcast for a full episode.

Kunstler’s newest essay, Back to the Future: A road map for tomorrow’s cities, appears in the July/August 2011 issue of Orion magazine.

Orion Magazine Managing Editor Andrew Blechman (a previous guest of the KunstlerCast) interviews author James Howard Kunstler about his recent essay on the future of cities in an age of peak oil and obligatory contraction. According to Kunstler, Phoenix and Las Vegas will be “toast,” skyscrapers will become massive liabilities, suburbs will turn into salvage yards, and commerce will look very different. Kunstler is quite certain that civilization will remain intact, albeit retrofitted with slow trains, sailing ships, and other blasts from the past.

To listen and read, visit: www.orionmagazine.org/cities.

Links:

Orion Magazine

Back to the Future
(JHK’s New Essay & Podcast Interview)

Register for Orion’s Live Webinar + Q&A Event
with JHK on Cities of the Future: July 12

[Note: Search for the Orion Magazine Podcast in the iTunes store.]

Sponsor:

Orion Magazine. July/August edition featuring James Howard Kunstler.

But Prefer Suburban Style Housing

Released: May 26, 2011.

On today’s episode JHK discusses a recent poll by the National Association of Realtors which found that while many Americans claim they want to be able to walk to stores, restaurants and other urban amenities, they prefer to live in single family detached homes above all else. This seems to be a contradiction, but the arrangement could be possible through New Urbanist planning.

Links:

National Association of Realtors Poll (.pdf)

There’s demand for walkable neighborhoods
Chris Churchill Times Union Places & Spaces Blog
April 29, 2011

Note: This expisode contains explicit language.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is The Congress for the New Urbanism, the nation’s leading advocacy organization dedicated to promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.

A Community Design Debate

Released: May 19, 2011.

JHK and Duncan look at two new McDonald’s projects in their home towns and touch upon some universal issues with regards to these types of developments appearing throughout North America. Using the comments on a local newspaper blog, they gague how members of the community are reacting and forming a public consensus. While some people in Troy are advocating for a heightened design, others are “violently complacent” about the standard issue Mickey D’s as delivered to automobile strips around the world. Meanwhile, in Saratoga Springs, a developer did create a different take on the Golden Arches. But was the end product better?

Note: This expisode contains explicit language.

Proposed McDonald’s in Troy NY:

Saratoga Springs McDonald’s:
Freeport Maine McDonald’s:

The Articles & Blog Posts:

Is the proposed McDonald’s good for Troy?
Chris Churchill Times Union Places & Spaces Blog
April 25, 2011

A look at Troy’s proposed McDonald’s
Chris Churchill Times Union Places & Spaces Blog
April 26, 2011

Protesting a chain’s similarity by design
Chris Churchill Times Union Sunday edition
May 16, 2011

An unusual take on the Troy McDonald’s plan
Chris Churchill Times Union Places & Spaces Blog
May 17, 2011

Troy officials: Design talk is ‘ridiculously premature’
Chris Churchill Times Union Places & Spaces Blog
May 18, 2011

Troy officials: Design talk is ‘ridiculously premature’
Cecelia Martinez The Record (Troy)
May 18, 2011

James V. Franco: Bring the Golden Arches to Hoosick Street
The Troy Record
May 19, 2011

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is The Congress for the New Urbanism, the nation’s leading advocacy organization dedicated to promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.

North Central Troy, NY

Released: May 5, 2011.

In this enhanced podcast, JHK & Duncan explore North Central Troy, NY with Billie-Jean Greene, a KunstlerCast listener who recently purchased a home in this area. This once wealthy neighborhood on the Hudson River has suffered from urban blight for many years. But a group of neighbors, known as The Uptown Initiative, are committed to helping turn their neighborhood around. Billie-Jean leads this tour and introduces us to some of the neighborhood residents, including a bed & breakfast owner, another homeowner, and some urban chickens named Ruby and June. Also along the route is a Hells Angels clubhouse.

Links

For photographs of this neighborhood by Neil Grabowsky of Through The Lens Studio, visit: http://ttlstudios.com

For information about the Uptown Initiative, visit: http://theuptowninitiative.org/

For information about the Old Judge Mansion Bed & Breakfast, visit: http://oldejudgemansion.com

For information about the Sanctuary for Independent Media, visit: http://www.mediasanctuary.org

Note: A listener has created a YouTube version of this episode:

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is The Congress for the New Urbanism, the nation’s leading advocacy organization dedicated to promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.

And The Diminishing Returns Become Self-Evident

Released: March 31, 2011

James Howard Kunstler reacts to a recent letter published by Rustwire.com titled
“Michigan CEO: Soul-Crushing Sprawl Killing Business.”
Kunstler believes that the diminishing returns of suburbia are becoming self-evident to people of all walks of life, and this piece
of writing is yet another example. He also corrects some of his previous comments about Detroit and the Eminem Chrysler ad.
At the end of the program, Duncan plays some music by Michigan-based band Frontier Ruckus from their album “Deadmalls&Nightfalls.”

[Note: This episode contains cursewords.]

Buy the Music, Support the Podcast

When you make any purchase after clicking the links below, you will earn sales referral fees for The KunstlerCast.

JHK Takes Questions from the Audience

Released: Feb. 24, 2011

JHK and Duncan get caught up on questions from listener callers. Topics include post-petroleum education, the homogenization of America, Vancouver and light pollution.

Note: This episode includes one curseword.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is PostPeakLiving.com, offering online courses that prepare you for a post-peak world. Enroll now in the UnCrash Course, Sustainable Post-Peak Livelihoods, Navigating the Coming Chaos, Introduction to Sustainable Gardening or Chickens 101. Find out more at: http://postpeakliving.com.

The American Inferiority Complex

Released: Feb. 10, 2011

JHK reacts to the Chrysler Superbowl commercial featuring rapper Eminem, titled “Imported from Detroit.” This leads to a discussion of American growing inferiority complex and our unending need for techno triumphal pep rallies.

Note: This episode contains explicit language

JHK Rolls Through Compton

Released: Dec. 9, 2010

JHK shares his thoughts about visiting the San Francisco Bay Area and the greater LA region. He includes of traveling across LA “on the surface” including a tour to Compton, the legendary ghetto of gangsta rap lore.

A Very Livable City…for Now

Released: Dec. 2, 2010

James Howard Kunstler reports on his recent trip to Perth, Australia. He joins host Duncan Crary by telephone during a long layover at the LAX airport on the return trip. Kunstler found Perth to be a very pleasant city with good urbanism and public transit. And in spite of an enthusiasm for suburban development, the city center is very dense. However, he believes Australians may be caught off guard by the coming geopolitical changes of the Long Emergency.

City, Town & Country Down Under

Released: Nov. 18, 2010

Jim shares his observations of Melbourne, Australia based on his recent visit to that city to speak to the VIC Urban organization. Though he was impressed by the downtown, JHK says the areas outside Melbourne look a lot like the suburban areas of Southern California. One of his stops was Aurora, a so-called “green suburb” that failed to impress. Finally, JHK shares his adventures in the countryside beyond the Australian suburbs.

Two Places That Are Not Worthy of their Residents

Released: Nov. 4, 2010

James Howard Kunstler discusses his recent visits to Boulder, Colorado and Minneapolis, Minnesota

Come see JHK read from The Witch of Hebron in Washington County, where the World Made By Hand novels are set, at Battenkill Books, 15 East Main St., Cambridge, NY, on Thursday, Nov. 11, from 6:30 p.m. till 8 p.m. : http://www.battenkillbooks.com

The Urban Growth Boundary

Released: Oct. 28, 2010

James Howard Kunstler discusses Portland, Oregon–an American city that gets a lot of things right. Topics include: the urban growth boundary, architecture, transit and political attitudes.

Come see JHK read from The Witch of Hebron in Washington County, where the World Made By Hand novels are set, at Battenkill Books, 15 East Main St., Cambridge, NY, on Thursday, Nov. 11, from 6:30 p.m. till 8 p.m. : http://www.battenkillbooks.com

Starbucks City

Released: Oct. 21, 2010

James Howard Kunstler shares his observations of Seattle based on his recent trip to that city. He believes that the Queen Anne Hill neighborhood gives one an idea of what the best of American urbanism can be, inspite of some clunky housing types. Though downtown is active and fairly pleasant, JHK has ominous feelings about the future of its many glass apartment towers. Kunstler also describes the Capitol Hill neighborhood, University District, Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square. He talks about riding the bus and the lessons we can learn from the lame monorail. Seattle is also home to the ubiquitous coffee chain Starbucks, which has many downsides to it, but which has also introduced some culture to certain places that had previously lacked any sort of “third place.”

Check out JHK’s Book Tour Schedule” http://www.kunstler.com/sched.php

Restoring Traditional Building Crafts, Design and Urbanism

Released: Oct. 7, 2010

James Howard Kunstler checks in with Duncan via phone on the West Coast leg of his book tour for The Witch of Hebron. The bulk of the converstaion is about JHK’s recent visit to New Orleans and his experience meeting preservationists working to replace the historic shotgun shacks of that city. He rounds out the converstaion by describing Portsmouth and Exeter, N.H., and arriving in Bellingham, WA.

Check out JHK’s Book Tour Schedule” http://www.kunstler.com/sched.php

JHK Visits Bay City Michigan

Released: Sept. 30, 2010

James Howard Kunstler explains the Tragedy of the Commons, as first described by Garrett Hardin in 1968, as how this philosophical theory relates to the public realm, suburbia, private property, commerce, environmentalism and concepts of freedom. This episode also includes a short radio story produced by MichiganNow.org featuring a walking tour by JHK in Bay City, Michigan. Special thanks to http://www.michigannow.org

Salem Common on Training Day (1808)
Peabody Essex Museum

Will Boomers Answer the Call?

Released: Sept. 23, 2010

James Howard Kunstler joins Duncan by phone from his hotel room in New Orleans. Their conversation moves from Dearborn, Michigan (2:49 – 5:13 mins) to the failings of the airline industry (5:13 – 14:30 mins), to Burlington, Vt. (14:30 – 22:45 mins), to the potential of Thorium, the so-called “green” nuclear energy source (22:45 – 26:50 mins), to the Boomer generation’s parting gift to future generations (26:50 – 40:06 mins).

Check out JHK’s Book Tour Schedule” http://www.kunstler.com/sched.php

JHK Travels Back in Time to Warn The American People of the Future that Awaits Them

Released: Sept. 16, 2010.

Check out JHK’s Book Tour Schedule” http://www.kunstler.com/sched.php

Motoring Thru New England

Released: Sept. 2, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler muses on The American Vacation and why the act of vacationing in the U.S. has become so stressful and unpleasant. He also shares his observations on Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, three states he visited during his own recent vacation. Kunstler doesn’t believe that motor-based tourism will be around for much longer…and that’s probably a good thing.

Concentrating Poverty

Released: July 8, 2010.

JHK explores a mostly abandoned low-income housing project in Duncan’s neighborhood. Two of the three 9-story brick “vertical slums” are boarded up and abandoned. They come complete with their own “rape-o-matic” tunnel for pedestrians to travel under the bridge ramp that separates them. Kunstler says these “towers in a park” are based on the ideas of Le Corbusier, the Swiss-French architect/planner whose “Radiant City” plans envisioned turning the right bank of Paris into a series of high rise towers connected by highways. Corbu’s plans were not implemented in Paris, but his ideas didn’t die. In fact they morphed into what are commonly known as “the projects,” low-income high rise towers all around the U.S. and indeed the world. Taking inspiration by the housing projects in Troy, Kunstler explains the history of this style of low-income housing and its detrimental side effects.

Sponsor:

Support for the KunstlerCast comes from Post Carbon Institute, the world’s leading think tank dedicated to getting society off fossil fuels fast. PCI is proud to have James Howard Kunstler as a valued advisor–joining Richard Heinberg, Bill McKibben, Majora Carter, Rob Hopkins and 25 other Fellows in leading the transition to a more resilient world. Learn more at http://PostCarbon.org.

Strolling Uncle Sam’s Neighborhood

Released: July 3, 2010.

JHK and Duncan celebrate the Fourth of July by touring Uncle Sam’s neighborhood. They stroll down Second Street in Troy NY, admiring the 19th century architecture along the way. Destinations include: Russell Sage College, the county court house and one of only two privately owned and maintained residential green squares in New York state (the other is the famous Gramercy Park in Manhattan). They speak to some workers laying a stone street by hand, and explore the alley in an exclusive neighborhood. You can watch and listen with the player below.

Sponsor:

Support for the KunstlerCast comes from Post Carbon Institute, the world’s leading think tank dedicated to getting society off fossil fuels fast. PCI is proud to have James Howard Kunstler as a valued advisor–joining Richard Heinberg, Bill McKibben, Majora Carter, Rob Hopkins and 25 other Fellows in leading the transition to a more resilient world. Learn more at http://PostCarbon.org.

History, The Prankster

Released: June 24, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler reports on his recent trip to Berlin, Germany…where everybody knows his name. Thirteen years ago, JHK traveled to Berlin to research a chapter for his third nonfiction book, The City in Mind. On his recent trip, he discovered that the place has healed remarkably over the past decade. Of course he had to go check in on the Führerbunker which is now the site of one of city’s few surface parking lots. History is a great prankster and therefore it’s no surprise to Kunstler that while the U.S. won the war against Germany, its cities looked bombed out. While Germany lost the war and its cities are beautiful, civilized places. Listeners end the show with their reactions to the BP oil spill.

Sponsor:

Support for the KunstlerCast comes from Post Carbon Institute, the world’s leading think tank dedicated to getting society off fossil fuels fast. PCI is proud to have James Howard Kunstler as a valued advisor–joining Richard Heinberg, Bill McKibben, Majora Carter, Rob Hopkins and 25 other Fellows in leading the transition to a more resilient world. Learn more at http://PostCarbon.org.

Notes from the New South

Released: June 10, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler shares his observations after a recent trip to Atlanta, Ga. Check out JHK’s Essay “The Horror of Downtown Atlanta.”

Atlanta

Google Street Views of B’more

Released: April 1, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler continues his virtual “walking” tour/commentary of Baltimore, Maryland. In this tour, he inspects the light rail system, the water taxi and market place in historic Fell’s Point neighborhood, and a new urbanist-influenced condo-harbor district. He concludes the tour at the Legg Mason building, a particularly bad skyscraper where JHK delivered a breakfast talk recently to a group of community stakeholders. Kunstler considers buildings like this to be a future liability as energy supplies grow scarce.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_105.mp3
(20 MB | 31:27 mins.)

Destination 1: W. Baltimore St & N. Howard St.

Start: 2:00 Mins.

View Larger Map

ABOVE: Head north on N. Howard St. The building with the blank wall facing the street is listed as 79 N. Howard St., next to the Bank of America. Inspect the Light Rail past intersectin with W. Fayette St.

Destination 2: Condo/Harbor District – Corner of S. Eden Street and Lancaster St.

Start: 7:27 mins.

View Larger Map

ABOVE: Head east on Lancaster St. Inspect condo buildings on left side, and waterway on right. Turn right at S Caroline St., inspect “green” rooftop on building on right side of street.

Destination 3: Fell’s Point – 906 S. Broadway to Aliceanna St

Start: 13:27 mins.

View Larger Map

ABOVE: Head north on S. Broadway, turn left on Thames St., turn right on S. Broadway and head north. Turn right on Lancaster St. Turn left on S. Broadway and head north. Remaining market building is in median to left.

Destination 3: (Continued) Lancaster St.

Start: 18:03 Mins

View Larger Map

ABOVE: Head east on Lancaster St. inspect the buildings on left and right.

Destination 4: Legg Mason Building

Start: 20:32 Mins

View Larger Map
ABOVE: Approach the Legg Mason building on the right, grab the screen with the mouse, scroll up and behold the monotony grandiosity of this stupid building.

Google Street Views of B’more

Released: March 25, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler sometimes thinks of Baltimore, Maryland as the poster child for how cities are going to contract in this country and around the world as we enter into a new energy era. In many ways, Kunstler says Baltimore is a very damaged city, but there are some parts of it that are quite interesting fun and heartening. During this episode, JHK gives a virtual tour of B’more using Google Street view. Before zooming in, however, he takes a moment to appreciate the geography of the Chesapeake Bay system and to discuss the history and possible future of shipping in that region.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_104.mp3

(27 MB | 42:20 mins.)

Viewing Window 1: Chesapeake Bay

Start: 8:00 Mins.

View Larger Map

ABOVE: Explore the Chesapeake and Delaware bay systems. Use the tabs in upper right-hand corner to switch to satalite or terrain views.

Destination 1: Federal Hill Neighborhood – West Hamburg St. / S. Charles St

Start: 18:25 mins.

View Larger Map

ABOVE: Spin around. Click the screen and move your mouse from left to rigth. Use the +/- signs to zoom in on a feature.

Destination 2: Federal Hill Neighborhood – 53 Churchill St. to 808 S. Charles St.

Start: 24:40 mins.

View Larger Map

ABOVE: Click arrow to head east on Churchill Street. Click screen and move mouse from left to right to examine both sides of the street. Turn corner and head North on S. Charles St., then look left.

Destination 3: Washinton Monument – 570 N. Charles St to 14 W Mt Vernon Pl

Start: 31:12 Mins

View Larger Map

ABOVE: Click the arrows to head north to the monument. Head west on Mt Vernon Pl. Look at buildings on right and park to left.

Destination 3 (Continued): 700 Washington Place to 900 N. Charles St.

Start: 35:45 Mins

View Larger Map

Above: Use arrows to head north on Washington Pl. Click on screen and move mouse to change perspective.

Passionate Positions on Parking

Released: March 18, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler is sometimes propelled into “mad dog mode” when speaking about the modern American landscape. But tempers fly on all sides of these urban policy debates. And there are many times when the only sane response is to be angry about what we’ve done to the North American landscape over the past 50 years. In this conversation, JHK explores the heightened emotions that erupt over the issue of parking in small cities and towns. Community leaders across the country still believe that motoring and car storage will be the determining factor in everything. But JHK thinks that one day soon everyone will just wake up with a different idea, because it will be self-evident that densely conceived and executed redevelopment will be necessary.

[Note: This program contains explicit language.]

Program Sponsor:

PostPeakLiving.com, offering a new online course this April 24 led by psychologist Carolyn Baker who will teach students to deal with the emotional aspects of facing peak oil. Register today at: http://PostPeakLiving.com

A Robust Little City

Released: Feb. 18, 2010.

James Howard Kunstler is pleasantly surprised by Rochester, N.Y., a small industrial city in the Great Lakes region. The first portion of this program features two of JHK’s former classmates who share stories about Jim’s college days at SUNY Brockport. The bulk of the show includes a driving tour of Rochester NY with JHK. (Note: this episode contains some cursewords).

Google Street View:

Head west on East Ave. to get downtown. Then head west on Main St. E.

View Larger Map

Program Sponsor:

Next American City, a quarterly urban affairs magazine committed to creating sustainable cities. Check out our new monthly Metro Matters podcast.

Where Gentrification is a Good Thing

Released: Nov. 5, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler thinks Boston is one of the few healthy major cities left in the U.S. He says gentrification has been a good thing for the city. He is disappointed with the outcome of Boston’s “big dig” project, though. When the city finally placed a major elevated expressway underground, Boston squandered a great opportunity to repair the street-and-block fabric that the highway had previously disrupted. Instead, so-called environmentalists succeeded in advocating for a half-assed, nebulous “green space.” On the subject of ugly architecture, Kunstler says the MIT area in nearby Cambridge is the ugliest academic neighborhood in America. The devil could not have designed a worse campus.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is Grinning Planet, providing real news in a free weekly mp3 format. Grinning Planet compiles the best audio news coverage of the week on a single page to save you time and cut through the mainstream propaganda. Listen at: http://www.grinningplanet.com/mp3-news

Rails to Freakish Parks

Released: Oct. 29, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler discusses two major projects that have recently turned 19th century railroad structures into parks: the High Line in lower Manhattan and the Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. The High Line is a unique park in New York City, built upon a former elevated rail line that used to bring trains through buildings. Although the High Line gives reprieve to New Yorkers, Kunstler finds it to be an accidental freak of urban nature. We would benefit more from the deliberate creation of beautifully designed streets and boulevards at grade level. The Walkway Over the Hudson is an extremely long railroad bridge that now serves as a pedestrian park. On the plus side, Kunstler believes this type of project might protect the bridge so that it doesn’t completely fall apart. But he finds it tragic that America has discarded the major investments it once made in a rail system. A listener caller who is an urban planner in Vancouver shares his thoughts on adaptive reuse of buildings.

Click on the images above to view a larger version. The first four photos are of the High Line. The last three photos are the Walkway Over the Hudson.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is Revolution Hall, inviting you to come see Deer Tick, the band that sings the KunstlerCast theme song, this Nov. 4 in Troy NY. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Buy tickets online at RevolutionHall.com.

The Last Major Renovation of Manhattan

Released: Oct. 22, 2009.

Inspired by David Owen’s book “Green Metropolis,” James Howard Kunstler examines the idea of Manhattan as a “green” city. Kunstler believes that, during his lifetime, New York has never been in as good shape as it is now. But he also thinks it will never be in as good shape again. Financial and energy problems in the future may turn our newest skyscrapers into one-generation buildings, outlandish monuments built during the twilight of an empire. Of all the boroughs, Kunstler thinks Brooklyn may fare the best because of its higher quality urban fabric.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_85.mp3
(35 MB | 30:53 mins.)

Listener Caller Line:
1-(866) 924-9499 toll-free

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is Grinning Planet, providing real news in a free weekly mp3 format. Grinning Planet compiles the best audio news coverage of the week on a single page to save you time and cut through the mainstream propaganda. Listen at: http://www.grinningplanet.com/mp3-news

Christopher Alexander, Daniel Burnham, Lewis Mumford, Leon Krier, Le Corbusier

Released: Oct. 15, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler believes that urban design will be the next big philosophical battle for the hearts and minds of Americans. One of the most important tasks we will face is determining the size, scale and shape of the 21st Century city. Kunstler says current cities are not scaled to the energy realities of the future. We must downscale, reform and de-automobilze our cities. Urban thinkers and urban planners will serve as our guides throughout that process. In this episode, Kunstler returns to the list of Top 100 Urban Thinkers complied by Planetizen.com to discuss some of the top names on that list. People discussed on this program include: Christopher Alexander, Frederick Law Olmsted, Daniel Burnham, Lewis Mumford, Leon Krier, Le Corbusier, and Ian McHarg.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is Grinning Planet, providing real news in a free weekly mp3 format. Grinning Planet compiles the best audio news coverage of the week on a single page to save you time and cut through the mainstream propaganda. Listen at: http://www.grinningplanet.com/mp3-news

Links:

The Death and Life of Great American Cities

Released: Oct. 8, 2009.

Planetizen, an urban planning website and book publisher, recently conducted a poll about the Top 100 Urban Thinkers. Jane Jacobs, author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities, made #1 on the list. Kunstler explains the story and importance of Jacobs. He also recollects interviewing her in 2000. Although at the time Jacobs was writing a book about the coming energy crisis, Dark Age Ahead, Kunstler said she didn’t seem interested in talking about “Long Emergency” issues during their conversation. A listener caller tells us why he thinks Sesame Street is a good model for urbanism.

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is Grinning Planet, providing real news in a free weekly mp3 format. Grinning Planet compiles the best audio news coverage of the week on a single page to save you time and cut through the mainstream propaganda. Listen at: http://www.grinningplanet.com/mp3-news

Links:

Jane Jacobs, Interviewed by Jim Kunstler for Metropolis Magazine, March 2001
September 6, 2000: Toronto Canada

Provisional Civilization

Released: Sept 24, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler shares his thoughts on Los Angeles, California after a recent visit to Tinseltown. The motoring infrastructure of Los Angeles stretches from horizon to horizon. It is a provisional civilization in which all is subordinate to the car. However, Kunstler believes Los Angeles is more urban than people assume. He was particularly surprised by the pleasant side streets of West Hollywood. But Kunstler wonders how well Los Angeles would fare after even a minor disruption to the supply of cheap gasoline.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_81.mp3
(31 MB | 34:00 mins.)

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is New Society Publishers, the leading publisher of Peak Oil thinkers such as Dmitry Orlov, Richard Heinberg, and Sharon Astyk. NewSociety.com

Trashing Places We Don’t Respect

Released: Sept 3, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler says one reason why American cities are so dirty is because we do not have a firm agreement about how to treat the public realm in this country. He believes that people will literally trash a place that they don’t like or respect. And a lot of American space is difficult to respect. On a larger scale, many corporations treat the American landscape with a similar disregard. While Kunstler believes that large scale pollution from mega corporations may taper off with the cheap oil supply, he thinks local manufacturing in the future might reintroduce forms of pollution that haven’t been seen in the U.S. for a while.

Note: The voice of Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk appears in this episode, courtesy of Planetizen, publisher of The Story of Sprawl DVD. Kunstlercast listeners receive a $5 discount when purchasing this DVD by using the discount code FIESTA: http://www.planetizen.com/DVD

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_78.mp3
(37 MB | 40:10 mins.)

Sponsors:

This week’s sponsor is New Society Publishers, the leading publisher of Peak Oil thinkers such as Dmitry Orlov, Richard Heinberg, Sharon Astyk and Michael Ruppert. NewSociety.com

Planning for Peak Oil

Released: June 4, 2009.

New Urbanist Planner and Author Jaime Correa speaks about urban planning in the peak oil era. KunstlerCast Host Duncan Crary recorded Correa’s talk on May 28 at the Albany Roundtable in Albany, N.Y. Correa speaks about how the end of cheap oil will affect communities in the future. He describes his peak oil action plan, which he calls The 40 Percent Plan. As urban communities begin to contract in the future, Correa has some ideas about what people need to do to successfully prepare for the future. James Howard Kunstler introduces Correa and chats with Crary about the role that Correa has played in the New Urbanism. Kunstler also responds to a question posed to him by Correa about his preparations for peak oil.

Note: Curse words and adult language occur at 27:30, 27:37 and 30:17

Websites: The Correa Report (Jaime’s blog) | Correa And Associates | Albany Roundtable

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_67.mp3
(36.2 MB | 39:21 mins.)

Sponsor:

This week’s sponsor is PostPeakLiving.com, offering online courses that prepare you for the post peak oil world.

Google Street Views of the Motor City

Released: May, 21, 2009.

At the suggestion of a listener caller, James Howard Kunstler gives a virtual walking tour of Detroit, Michigan using Google Street View. Google Street View is an interactive photographic map that allows users to view photographs of streets and buildings in many cities throughout the world. Users can follow along with this program using the embedded Google Street View windows below. During this “walking” tour, Kunstler examines the Michigan Central Depot Train Station, Tiger Stadium, the Renaissance Center, the People Mover, The Joe Louis Arena (aka the Aztec Maw of Death), The Grand Circus, the Fillmore and Fox theaters, and the Detroit waterfront.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_65.mp3
(36.5 MB | 39:47 mins.)

Destination 1: Michigan Central Station, 2198 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI

View Larger Map

Instructions:

Look south for train station.

Head east on Michigan Ave.

(at Rosa Parks Blvd. there is a glitch. Switch to next viewing window)

Destination 1 (cont.): Michigan Ave to Tiger Stadium

View Larger Map

Instructions:

Continue east on Michigan Ave. to Tiger Stadium at 1676 Michigan Ave.

Continue east for a few clicks.

Destination 2: The Renaissance Center, 378 Beaubien St., Detroit, MI

View Larger Map

Instructions:

Look south for Renaissance Center

Look north for People Mover

Head north on Beaubien St. to E. Jefferson Ave.

Head west on E. Jefferson Ave.

Google Street glitch. Switch viewing window to continue west on E. Jefferson Ave.

Destination 2 (cont.): East Jefferson Ave.

View Larger Map

Instructions:

Continue West on E. Jefferson St.

Destination 3: Joe Louis Arena, 678 CIvic Center Drive, Detroit, MI

View Larger Map

Instructions:

Head east on Civic Center Drive

At 546 Civic Center Drive, look at entrance to arena to north, river is to south.

Destination 4: The Grand Circus, 1556 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI

View Larger Map

Instructions:

Head north on Woodward Ave. (Grand Circus begins at 1588)

Note: Church at 2000 Woodward Ave.

Staduim to right at 2048 Woodward Ave.

Fillmore Theater on left at 2122 Woodward Ave.

Fox Theater on left at 2244 Woodward Ave.

Destination 5: Riverfront, 392 Atwater St., Detroit, MI

View Larger Map

Instructions:
Turn north to see backside of Renasaince Center and promonade.

Head east up Atwater St.

Parking deck at 484 Atwater St.

Surface parking at 626 Atwater St.

Cab drivers at 724 Atwater St.

Sponsor:

Support for this program comes from Audible. For a free audiobook download and 14-day trial, visit: www.audiblepodcast.com/kunstler

The Broken Window Theory, Car Cops and Rising Tensions in Tough Times

Released: April 16, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler often advocates for a return to urban living arrangements. But urban living often bring residents into close proximity to bad behavior. The situation can be especially frightening when people inhabit cities that aren’t fully repopulated yet. Suburban style “car cop” policing causes additional problems because car culture can foster bad behavior from the police themselves. Kunstler believes that police on foot and horse would lead to more productive policing and would also allow citizens to police the police. Later Kunstler speaks about the “Broken Window Theory.” Host Duncan Crary asks Kunstler about the obligation of citizens to address and correct bad behavior when they encounter it. In his response, Kunstler touches upon the underlying racial issues that are sometimes present in these situations. Finally, Kunstler muses on the future of community policing after insolvent municipalities can no longer afford to pay for overwhelming vehicular policing styles. A listener caller from Portland, Maine ends the show with thoughts on “driving” bicycles on the street.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_60.mp3
(28 MB | 34:54 mins.)

Sponsor:

Sponsorship for this podcast comes from the Congress for the New Urbanism, the nation’s leading forum dedicated to advancing urbanism and promoting alternatives to sprawl. CNU’s 17th annual Congress will be in Denver, June 10-14. For information and to register, visit: www.cnu.org.

Kunstler Reports on His Recent Trip to Johannesburg

Released: April 2, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler reports on two recent trips he took. First he talks about his appearance at the annual Aspen Institute Environmental Forum, where talk of alternative fuel, and other ways to keep our happy motoring scene running, dominated the talks about peak oil. For the remainder of this program Kunstler reports on his recent trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he inspected a 35-acre new urbanist neighborhood project. Kunstler describes his urban planning and cultural observations of this region of the world.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_58.mp3
(35 MB | 35:48 mins.)

Melrose Arch, a brave new urbanist experiment in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Listeners React to Previous Podcasts

Released: March 26, 2009.

In this short podcast, James Howard Kunstler returns briefly to the topic of New Orleans. This time he discusses the future of the Port of New Orleans. In the second half of this program, we hear from listeners around the country. One listener from New Orleans doesn’t think Jim gave her city a fair shake. She says New Orleans is everything new urbanists want in a community — street cars, walkable streets and places worth caring about — except it’s old urbanism, not new urbanism. Other listeners respond to the virtual tour of Paris, healthcare and population decline, Jim and Duncan’s encounter with the Mayor of Troy, finding meaningful work in the new economy and the recent space shuttle blast off.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_57.mp3
( 11 MB | 11:56 mins.)

JHK Gives a Walking tour of Paris using Google Street View

Released: March 19, 2009.

At the suggestion of a listener caller, James Howard Kunstler gives a virtual walking tour of Paris, France using Google Street View. Google Street View is an interactive photographic map that allows users to view photographs of streets and buildings in many cities throughout the world. Users can follow along with this program using the embedded Google Street View windows below. This installment of the KunstlerCast is sponsored by Audible.com. KunstlerCast listeners can receive a free audio book dowload by visiting: audiblepodcast.com/kunstler (restrictions may apply outside the U.S. and Canada).

Direct Download:

KunstlerCast_56.mp3

(42 MB | 45:14 mins.)

Promonet Music:

Discuss this episode

Destination 1: 20 Rue Lepic, Paris, IDF, France

Note: Use the window below during 3:37 to 15:54 on the podcast. Head up the hill.

Google Maps Link

View Larger Map

Destination 2: 21 Avenue Kleber, Paris, IDF, France

Note: Use the window below during 15:55 to 32:23 on the podcast. Move up and down the street, looking at the buildings on the sides.

Google Maps Link

View Larger Map

Destination 3: Rue Lacépède / Place de la Contrescarpe, Paris, IDF, France

Note: Use the window below during 32:34 to 34:33 of the podcast.

Google Maps Link

View Larger Map

Destination 4: Place Jacques Rueff, Paris, IDF, France

Note: Use the window below during 35:47 to 40:33 of the podcast. Look into the park. (The Eiffel Tower is behind you.) Travel North to Avenue Joseph Bouvard to see more of the park.

Google Maps Link

View Larger Map

Cultural Programming and the Patina of Decay

Released: Feb. 19, 2009.

James Howard Kunstler discusses the issue of rebuilding New Orleans after hurricane Katrina. Legal disputes, government inefficiency and suburban mindsets have stood in the way of constructing traditional neighborhoods in New Orleans. While the charming urban fabric of the French Quarter and the Garden District still remains, Kunstler believes that New Orleans is likely to be a much smaller city than it was in the 20th century. Much of the cultural programming that emerged in the poorer neighborhoods of New Orleans may not return. Ultimately, the realities of climate and weather may determine the fate of the Crescent City. **To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the KunstlerCast, host Duncan Crary joins the band Deer Tick for a live concert. Deer Tick performs the theme song for the KunstlerCast.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_52.mp3
( 22 MB | 23:45 mins.)

Empty Spaces in the Streetscape

Released: Dec. 18, 2008

James Howard Kunstler explains the negative effects that empty building lots have on the urban streetscape. These empty spaces or “missing teeth” are dead zones that are repellent to pedestrians. But, at the moment, our car crazy society prefers to keep those dead zones for surface parking rather than to infill them with good urban buildings. During the second half of the program Kunstler speaks face-to-face with Troy, N.Y. Mayor Harry Tutunjian about what to do with the empty space that will be left behind after the city demolishes its current City Hall. Plans for the soon-to-be empty lot include an underground parking garage with grass on top. The mayor says that the lawn will allow access to the Hudson River and provide scenic views of the river from Broadway. Kunstler argues that the building lot should be completely occupied by a good urban building, like a new city hall.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_43.mp3
( 35 MB | 38 mins.)

Note: Use Google Street View to view City Hall and Monument Square in Troy NY. Use the cursor to examine this outdoor public room:

View Larger Map

Promo music featured in this episode courtesy of IODA Promonet:

Hauschka
“Freibad” (mp3)
from “Ferndorf”
(Fat Cat Records)

More On This Album

More info about the KunstlerCast theme music

19th Century Urbanism in 2008

Released: Dec. 11, 2008

James Howard Kunstler joins host Duncan Crary for the Victorian Stroll in downtown Troy, NY. During this annual event, the city evicts the automobile from the streets and 21st century people discover how pleasurable it is to explore this 19th century urban fabric on foot. Kunstler believes events like this are rehearsal for the times ahead when Americans will be forced to re-inhabit their small cities and classic main-street towns.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_42.mp3
( 37 MB | 42 mins.)

View Larger Map

Note: You can change the camera view by grabbing the image with your mouse.
Start: 38 2nd St. Troy NY 12180

>>Head left (north)

>>Turn Right (northeast) onto River St.

>>Turn Right (south) onto 3rd St.

>>Continue (south) to State St.

>>Turn Right (west) on State St.

End

Points of interest from the show:

Market Block Books (corner of River Street and 3rd St.)

Frear’s Cash Bazaar/Uncle Sam Atrium (3rd St. across the street from Market Block Books)

Church with Louis Comfort Tiffany interior (3rd St. & State St)

Promo music featured in this episode courtesy of IODA Promonet:

Max Richter
“Berlin By Overnight” (mp3)
from “24 Postcards In Full Colour”
(Fat Cat Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

More info about the KunstlerCast theme music

The Story of Sprawl DVD Commentary

Released: Oct. 23, 2008.

In this special video podcast edition of the KunstlerCast you can watch and listen to the second half of a commentary track that James Howard Kunstler and Duncan Crary recorded for a soon-to-be-released DVD called The Story of Sprawl. The DVD is being produced by Planetizen.com. Kunstler and Crary comment on The City a 1939 film with a narrative written by the great 20th century generalist Lewis Mumford. In part 2 of the film Mumford pitches the idea for “green cities,” but these green cities look an awful lot like suburbia.

Direct Downloads:

Video: KunstlerCast_36_Video.m4v

( 100 MB | 20:00 mins.) *Link fixed 10/25/08

Watch The City (1939) Part 2 – Without commentary

The Regional Planning Association of America’s plea for community chaotic cities and urban sprawl. Directors: Ralph Steiner and Willard Van Dyke. Script: Henwar Rodakiewicz, from an outline by Pare Lorentz. Commentary written by Lewis Mumford. Narrator: Morris Carnovsky. Photography: Ralph Steiner, Willard Van Dyke, Jules V.D. Bucher, Edward Anhalt, Roger Barlow and Rudolph Bretz. Editor: Theodore Lawrence. Music: Aaron Copland.

Producer: American Documentary Films, Inc.

Sponsor: American Institute of Planners, through Civic Films, Inc.

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

Via: Archive.org

KunstlerCast listners receive a $5 discount when they purchase The Story of Sprawl 2-DVD set, feauturing a comentary recorded by Jim and Duncan from this episode of the KunstlerCast. Use the discount code “Fiesta” during checkout. The KunstlerCast will receive a $5 referral fee for each purchase, too!

The Story of Sprawl DVD Commentary

Released: Oct. 16, 2008.

In this special video podcast edition of the KunstlerCast you can watch and listen to a commentary track that James Howard Kunstler and Duncan Crary recorded for a soon-to-be-released DVD called The Story of Sprawl. The DVD is being produced by Planetizen.com. Kunstler and Crary comment on The City a 1939 film with a narrative written by the great 20th century generalist Lewis Mumford. In part 1 of the film, Mumford provides a nostalgic view of rural small-town American life in contrast to life in the harsh industrial cities and among the towering skyscrapers of New York. Mumford urges viewers that we can build better environments to live in, especially for our children. But we know where that line of thinking led us to: suburbia.

Direct Downloads:

Video: KunstlerCast_35_Video.m4v
( 77 MB | 17:29 mins.)

Audio Only:

Watch The City (1939) Part 1 – Without commentary

The Regional Planning Association of America’s plea for community chaotic cities and urban sprawl. Directors: Ralph Steiner and Willard Van Dyke. Script: Henwar Rodakiewicz, from an outline by Pare Lorentz. Commentary written by Lewis Mumford. Narrator: Morris Carnovsky. Photography: Ralph Steiner, Willard Van Dyke, Jules V.D. Bucher, Edward Anhalt, Roger Barlow and Rudolph Bretz. Editor: Theodore Lawrence. Music: Aaron Copland.

Producer: American Documentary Films, Inc.

Sponsor: American Institute of Planners, through Civic Films, Inc.

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

Via: Archive.org

KunstlerCast listners receive a $5 discount when they purchase The Story of Sprawl 2-DVD set, feauturing a comentary recorded by Jim and Duncan from this episode of the KunstlerCast. Use the discount code “Fiesta” during checkout. The KunstlerCast will receive a $5 referral fee for each purchase, too!

The Honeymooners, white flight and the “inner city.”

Released: Aug. 14, 2008.

This installment attempts to explore America’s anti-urban bias. Topics include: environmentalists and the human habitat, suburban-style housing projects in “the ghetto”, white flight, and Ralph Kramden’s apartment in The Honeymooners tv show. James Howard Kunstler also gives advice to those of us who are required to visit the burbs to see our families.

[Note: one curse word.]

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_27.mp3
( 18 MB | 26:00 mins.)

Ralph Kramden’s apartment in The Honeymooners tv show.

The Rise, Decline, Revitalization and Future of One American City

Released: July. 24, 2008.

James Howard Kunstler continues his walking tour of one city block in downtown Saratoga Springs, N.Y., a classic Main-street American town. We resume the tour on the corner of Division Street and Railroad Place, where a major urban infill project has produced a brand new urban street that is well defined on both sides by five-story high buildings, with dignified frontages, ground-level retail space and apartments above. Kunstler points out some architectural problems and weird transitions but he’s mostly pleased by the new buildings in this neighborhood. As we leave the new urban street, things completely fall apart when we encounter the results of the urban renewal schemes of the 1960s. Most of the 20 acres in front of us is surface parking, occupied on the fringe by inappropriate suburban buildings.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_24.mp3
(14 MB | 20 mins.)

Note: Use Google Street View to follow along with this program:

Map of our route:

View Larger Map

Google Street View of our Route:

View Larger Map

Note: You can change the camera view by grabbing the image with your mouse. If you click the view larger map link above, the route will appear highlighted in blue.

Part 1 Start: 402 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

> Turn left (west) at Division St.

Continue west on Division St to Railroad Pl

End Part 1

> Part 2 Start: Turn left (southwest) on Railroad Pl

Continue southwest/south on Railroad Pl to RT-29/Washington St.

> Turn left (east) on RT-29/Washington St.

Continue east on Washington Street to Broadway

End Part 2

The Rise, Decline, Revitalization and Future of One American City

Released: July 17, 2008.

James Howard Kunstler often describes Saratoga Springs N.Y. as a classic Main Street American town. In part one of this special program, we take to the streets of Saratoga to experience the sense of place in this small city. Kunstler brings us from the busy sidewalks along Broadway to a sidestreet leading to a major urban infill project. He explains the urban sensibilities of the 19th century structures, points out the boneheaded decisions of the 1960s one-story development, and the promising efforts of mid-1990s new urbanism.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_23.mp3
( 21 MB | 30 mins.)

James Howard Kunstler on Broadway in Downtown Saratoga Springs

Map of our route:

View Larger Map

Google Street View of our Route:

View Larger Map

Note: You can change the camera view by grabbing the image with your mouse. If you click the view larger map link above, the route will appear highlighted in blue.

Part 1 Start: 402 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

> Turn left (west) at Division St.

Continue west on Division St to Railroad Pl

End Part 1

> Part 2 Start: Turn left (southwest) on Railroad Pl

Continue southwest/south on Railroad Pl to RT-29/Washington St.

> Turn left (east) on RT-29/Washington St.

Continue east on Washington Street to Broadway

End Part 2

The Golden Gate City, and other places Jim actually likes

Released: June 5, 2008.

A listener from San Francisco, who admits to suffering excessive civic pride for his hometown, asks James Howard Kunstler to critique The Golden Gate City and to speak about some of the other places in America that Jim actually likes. Kunstler acknowledges that San Francisco does a lot of things right. But it bends over for the car, and many of the streets are poorly detailed. He also warns that the city’s plan to erect seven new skyscrapers is ill fated. We close the show with the seven or so cities in America that Jim likes best.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_17.mp3
(10 MB | 15 mins.)

Life after oil in small cities

Released: May 22, 2008.

A listener from Canada asks if small cities will be willing and able to absorb more people after peak oil makes big city life problematic. James Howard Kunstler believes that many small cities across North America are waiting to be reactivated. These places would benefit from having more people living in them. But in order to prepare for returning populations, they will need to return to a much smaller increment of development.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_15.mp3
( 10 MB | 15 mins.)

Cities are not just for the poor

Released: May 1, 2008.

A listener from Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. wants to know about the ethics of gentrification. What happens to the poor people who get pushed out of the cities when wealthier people move in? James Howard Kunstler addresses how abnormal it is that American city centers are primarily inhabited by poor people. Jim and Duncan also touch upon the racial dimensions of gentrification.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_12.mp3
(7 MB | 15 mins.)

Arizona after cheap oil + alternative fuel fantasies

Released: March 27, 2008.

A listener from Flagstaff, Ariz. wants to know what fate awaits his town in the post oil future. The verdict from Jim? At least it’s not Phoenix, but most of Flagstaff looks like the service road around Newark Airport. The caller also asks about the new Honda hydrogen fuel cell car, which reminds Jim to bash so-called environmentalist Amory Lovins’ fantasy to keep the motoring scene going at all costs.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_07.mp3
(7 MB | 14:52 mins.)

The tragic tale of zoning laws

Released: March 20, 2008.

Ya seen one town in America ya seen ’em all. But that’s because they’re all mandated to look that way! James Howard Kunstler tells the tragic story of zoning codes in the United States. At one time, zoning was a rational response to unpleasant conditions of the newly emerging industrial city. But the fanatical level to which zoning became worshiped by public officials has reduced urban planning from an art form to the mere administration of curb cuts, signage and statistical analysis of traffic flow. *Note to re-broadcasters: curse words at 8:48 mins.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_06.mp3
( 7.1 MB | mins.)

After the end of oil in small American cities

Released: Feb. 21, 2008.

James Howard Kunstler describes the impending end of cheap oil, which he calls The Long Emergency. Suburbia is a living arrangement with no future. Things are going to get pretty gnarly in the big cities, too. But small cities, that exist at a scale that can be rebuilt, are the places of the future.

Direct Download:
KunstlerCast_02.mp3
( 8 MB | 16:20 )

Troy, N.Y., a small city.