STREET DESIGN: THE SECRET TO GREAT CITIES AND TOWNS

MY EXPERTISE IS CITED IN THE SECOND EDITION

James Dougherty's fabulous and inclusive cover painting

I am gratified to be quoted as an advocate with expertise in Universal Design and mobility for people with disabilities in Street Design: The Secret to Great Cities and Towns, 2nd Edition.

I will share my insights, based on working on inclusion and better policy around the world, at a Universal Design summit this fall.

I am honored that my urban/architectural photography is featured in The Art of the New Urbanism Volume 2 published by Wiley.

The book is by James Dougherty, Charles C. Bohl & Victor Dover.

It features my Street Photography from Istanbul, Morocco and Cairo.

I am proud to collaborate with Victor Dover.

He has been a friend and mentor for more than two decades.

He has sought my guidance on matters of Universal Design and Wheelchair Access.

We both are featured in the disability positive film Mark -- A Call to Action:

https://youtu.be/M-TBzsOK5VY?si=knwhkRossJlW7xT-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHEN I WENT TO WORK FOR MIAMI CITY COMMISSIONER JOE SANCHEZ IN 2002, NO ONE WOULD HAVE IMAGINED THIS BEING POSSIBLE

NOW, YET ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL BOUTIQUE HOTEL HAS OPENED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LITTLE HAVANA’S ART AND CULTURE

Fabulous art and wheelchair access at El Jardin Inn Miami.

“A boutique neighborhood hotel where local art & modern hospitality meet in the heart of Little Havana”

A welcome addition to the community, a block from the heart of Calle Ocho, at 1568 SW 7th St.

https://www.eljardininn.com

MY ACCLAIMED STREET PHOTOGRAPHY WILL BE FEATURED IN A WILEY PRESS BOOK

THE ART OF THE NEW URBANISM VOLUME 2 (2010-2025)

I am honored to learn that my urban/architectural photography will be featured in The Art of the New Urbanism Volume 2 by Wiley Press.

The book is by James Dougherty, Charles C. Bohl & Victor Dover, with a forward by David Csont.

The lavish, full color coffee table book is the result of a collaboration between the University of Miami School of Architecture (UMSoA), the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) and Dover, Kohl & Partners Town Planning.

I created a Universal Design course at the UMSoA, have published with the CNU and have collaborated with DKP.

Publication in the Wiley book is gratifying, because an independent expert jury selected my photography from an extraordinary number of high-quality images.

This marks the 10th publication in the past 5 years that has featured my writing, photography or art.

HAPPY NEW (BLOGGING) YEAR

CHARGING INTO 2026 WITH MORE THAN 1.7 MILLION READERS

My blog started humbly nearly 15 years ago.

I wanted to post about saving William Jennngs Bryan Park – the historic green space that I live on in Miami’s Shenandoah neighborhood – from being paved 100% with concrete for an out of scale regional tennis center.

I went on to post about my global travels.

Then shared my lifetime work on Universal Design.

Stories about urban policy, sustainability, mobility, town planning, architecture and transportation followed.

From being lucky to get 100 readers per week, I have grown to receiving more than 1.7 million unique visitors over the life of this blog.

I have posted nearly 5,000 stories – four out of five illustrated with my own fine art photography.

Here’s to passing the two million readers mark sometime in early 2026.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

MUSEU NACIONAL DO AZULEJO

Casamento da Galinha is one of the most enigmatic tile panels at Lisbon’s Museu Nacional do Azulejo. 

A chicken is transported in a coach, driven by a monkey, in front of two elephants.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

 PRAÇA LUÍS DE CAMÕES

Lisbon’s historic Praça Luís de Camões — named for a great literary figure — plays prominently in another masterpiece:

Jose Saramago’s The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis.

MY BLOG GETS 12,000 TO 15,000

DAILY READERS

I learned journalism at the storied Akron Beacon Journal.

Its daily print circulation is below 22,000.

It’s not an apples to apples comparison -- but I am proud to be getting so many readers.

My blog focuses on building a better environment for people with disabilities, placemaking and urban photography.

It began more than a decade ago and has had nearly 1.5 million unique visitors.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

FÁBRICA DE CERÂMICA VIÚVA LAMEGO

The Viúva Lamego Ceramics Factory was founded in 1849 by António da Costa Lamego.

This was the workshop of the company, on Lisbon’s busy Avenida Almirante Reis.

 It features some of the most spectacular azulejos in Portugal.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

FÁBRICA DE CERÂMICA DA VIÚVA LAMEGO 

Viúva Lamego Ceramics Factory was founded in 1849. This was the showroom, on Largo Intendente.

It features stunning Portuguese azulejos.

Regrettably, some depict people in stereotypical, not appropriate images.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

LARGO DE INTENDENTE 

Rounded corner building adorned with Portuguese tiles hosting a modest cafe with apartments above on Largo de Intendente Arroios Lisbon. 

Tell us Paris has anything more beautiful, human scaled or enchanting than this.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

THE COOLEST NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE WORLD

Arroios, Lisbon, in Portugal was recently named the coolest neighborhood in the world by Time Out. 

The small parish is a hub for art, restaurants and design.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

 MOURARIA LISBOA

It would not be Lisbon without tons of laundry draped over small balconies, drying over tiled facades in 300 days of sunshine per year. 

This is Rua do Benformoso in Mouraria

LISBON, PORTUGAL

IGREJA DE SÃO DOMINGOS 

Igreja de São Domingos is a church in Lisbon, Portugal. It is classified as a National Monument.

The church was dedicated in 1241 and was almost completely destroyed in the 1754 earthquake.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

 PANTEAO NACIONAL

Daybreak over Baroque dome of Panteao Nacional on Alfama hill Lisbon.

The 17th century Church of Santa Engrácia holds the tombs and cenotaphs of Portugal’s most important people.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

 LISBON CATHEDRAL

Se de Lisboa. 

From a different perspective overlooking Rio Tagus.

Image taken from Museu do Aljube – Resistencia e Liberdade

Sun kissed Portugal photos require no doctoring.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

 WELCOME TO DAMAS – YOU ARE HOME NOW

Live view from my customary window seat at the incomparable Damas.

You must visit this restaurant, bar and safe haven in the heart of magical hilltop Graca Lisboa.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

 BASILICA DA ESTRELA

Basilica da Estrela.

The 1790 landmark anchors a park-filled middle class Lisbon neighborhood.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

 ALFAMA ALLEYS

Fresh air break from Restaurante o Canto do Poeta.

The night belongs to Fado.

Alfama Lisbon Portugal.

Photo pure, no edits.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

 RESTAURANTE O CANTO DO POETA

Fado time Alfama Lisbon Portugal.

Restaurante o Canto do Poeta — almost there. 

Teresa will have my favorite gin with jam cocktail at my corner table.

FLEA MARKET FINDS IN LISBON

 NON STOP DANCING 1976 BY JAMES LAST

I bought some goods at Feira da Ladra, aka Mercado de Santa Clara in Lisbon. 

But I can’t believe I passed up “non stop dancing 1976” by James Last. 

I found out the bandleader sold 200 million albums and had 200 gold records on his native Germany.