Some years ago, the über-intellectual (and lovely man) Robert Cowan published a dictionary of urban regeneration terms. This was a serious and highly regarded piece of work which comprehensively defined and explained regeneration words and phrases.
At the time nobody demurred, or expressed any surprise at all really, that we needed such a regeneration dictionary to explain how people live in cities and towns; the regeneration sector in which I was reared carried an acceptance (I think mainly informed by architects and planners) that our field is highly technical in nature (readers of this blog will know that I now question all of that these days).
At the time nobody demurred, or expressed any surprise at all really, that we needed such a regeneration dictionary to explain how people live in cities and towns; the regeneration sector in which I was reared carried an acceptance (I think mainly informed by architects and planners) that our field is highly technical in nature (readers of this blog will know that I now question all of that these days).
In recent years Mr Cowan's book has gone on-line, but of course. Urbanwords is the on-line resource for The Dictionary of Urbanism, now 500 pages, and hailed as
"the standard reference on urban design, planning, regeneration and the
culture of cities". And it genuinely is.
Now, in another part of the forest (as first trailed in this blog on 13 January) the dippy old reductionist renegades in the UKR camp have also undertaken the compilation of an Urban Dictionary. Needless to say this bears no relation to the esteemed work of Robert Cowan (it could not possibly be further removed from that fine opus), but is a somewhat cynical and battered "take" on the plethora of terms which litter our lives.
It is a response, if you like, to the over-complicated and sclerotic nature of the sector. It comes from people who care very much. And who are therefore very angry. Here's a sample of what to expect:
"Environmental Impact Assessment: An earnest and exhaustive combination of the obvious, the speculative and the impossible-to-know. Believed to be the origin of the phrase 'unable to see the wood for the trees'. Analysis in America suggests that they are approaching the point where the carbon footprints of the larger EIAs, which need to be transported in semi-trucks, will require an EIA of their own."
And here's another: "RGF: The latest product from the BIS 'RAGPAG' or Random Growth Policy Acronym Generator. Usefully, provided the name is impressive enough, there is no requirement for a policy thus generated to 'do what it says on the tin' or indeed to have any practical real world value at all. See also Enterprise Zones..."
And a third: "To 'win' planning consent: Exactly when planning consents ceased to be granted, and begun to be "won", is difficult to establish, but there does seem to be a telling alignment with the arrival and ascendance of X Factor and similar TV shows . Reports that DCLG is considering adopting a phone-in celebrity-led system of planning decision making as part of a new neighbourhood approach 'to make planning more exciting', have not been denied by ministers, although stories that Simon Cowell might be ennobled in the next honours list to take charge of this are as yet unconfirmed."
So you get the gist...
Now my daft old lot are having such a lot of fun with all this and, being nothing if not mischievous, they are now taking this "open source" work out to MIPIM as the first step in a serious campaign to compile hundreds of such definitions with a view to publishing the "anti-dictionary" of regeneration terms.
The tweet went out yesterday: "If you are coming to #MIPIM you can help with the Urban Dictionary. See the current entries at www.ukregeneration.org.uk."
On the UK Mission to MIPIM stand (19.09 on Level 01) with its two touch screen iPads and main screen we will be actively recruiting all you budding Dr Johnsons. There's still time to participate in our MIPIM Mission BTW, if you click on this link, the indefatigable Ross Sturley will sort you out).
But whether you are attending MIPIM or not, we want to hear from you. We feel your pain, so give us all your definitions (aka your howls of indignation). As you know only too well, we live in a funny old world.
Now, in another part of the forest (as first trailed in this blog on 13 January) the dippy old reductionist renegades in the UKR camp have also undertaken the compilation of an Urban Dictionary. Needless to say this bears no relation to the esteemed work of Robert Cowan (it could not possibly be further removed from that fine opus), but is a somewhat cynical and battered "take" on the plethora of terms which litter our lives.
It is a response, if you like, to the over-complicated and sclerotic nature of the sector. It comes from people who care very much. And who are therefore very angry. Here's a sample of what to expect:
"Environmental Impact Assessment: An earnest and exhaustive combination of the obvious, the speculative and the impossible-to-know. Believed to be the origin of the phrase 'unable to see the wood for the trees'. Analysis in America suggests that they are approaching the point where the carbon footprints of the larger EIAs, which need to be transported in semi-trucks, will require an EIA of their own."
And here's another: "RGF: The latest product from the BIS 'RAGPAG' or Random Growth Policy Acronym Generator. Usefully, provided the name is impressive enough, there is no requirement for a policy thus generated to 'do what it says on the tin' or indeed to have any practical real world value at all. See also Enterprise Zones..."
And a third: "To 'win' planning consent: Exactly when planning consents ceased to be granted, and begun to be "won", is difficult to establish, but there does seem to be a telling alignment with the arrival and ascendance of X Factor and similar TV shows . Reports that DCLG is considering adopting a phone-in celebrity-led system of planning decision making as part of a new neighbourhood approach 'to make planning more exciting', have not been denied by ministers, although stories that Simon Cowell might be ennobled in the next honours list to take charge of this are as yet unconfirmed."
So you get the gist...
Now my daft old lot are having such a lot of fun with all this and, being nothing if not mischievous, they are now taking this "open source" work out to MIPIM as the first step in a serious campaign to compile hundreds of such definitions with a view to publishing the "anti-dictionary" of regeneration terms.
The tweet went out yesterday: "If you are coming to #MIPIM you can help with the Urban Dictionary. See the current entries at www.ukregeneration.org.uk."
On the UK Mission to MIPIM stand (19.09 on Level 01) with its two touch screen iPads and main screen we will be actively recruiting all you budding Dr Johnsons. There's still time to participate in our MIPIM Mission BTW, if you click on this link, the indefatigable Ross Sturley will sort you out).
But whether you are attending MIPIM or not, we want to hear from you. We feel your pain, so give us all your definitions (aka your howls of indignation). As you know only too well, we live in a funny old world.
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