About
This is a blog dedicated to providing news and urbanist analysis of planning, transportation, and developments for the Iowa City area. The site launched in August of 2023. See the blog on Substack.
The Prairie Urbanist is the work of Chad A Millbrook, an urbanism enthusiast and prospective urban planning student with a background in sociology. I am a five year resident of the South District of Iowa City.
Values & General Principles
- I believe in an urbanism that strives for resilient communities that are socially and economically integrated. The history of American cities towards segregation on racial and class grounds must be altered for a more just society.
- Displacement and financial exploitation must be fought. The negative externalities of redevelopment and urban investments must be distributed equitably. Public funds should not contribute to private profit.
- Land-use and transportation are deeply interconnected and must be considered together. All development is transit-oriented development in the sense that transportation mode facilitates and determines development.
- A “good” city is one that provides the broadest possible portion of the population the ability to participate in the broadest possible forms of cultural and societal creation.
- Our built-forms and transportation systems should promote a sustainable, post-growth future. We must be environmentally-minded caretakers of both our urban and rural areas– from tallgrass prairie, to the farm, to the city.
Questions, comments, or corrections?
