Ellin's Canalscape project recognized as Centennial project; and featured in Phoenix Magazine

February 14, 2012 will mark the 100th anniversary of Arizona's statehood. In anticipation of this event, the Arizona Historical Advisory Commission is identifying key projects to showcase the state's beauty, history and future.

The Commission has just recognized Canalscape, a project of Planning Director and Associate Professor Nan Ellin, as one of these Arizona Centennial Projects. Canalscape is a vision for development of vital urban hubs where canals meet major streets, distributed throughout the Phoenix metropolitan region. Each hub will be unique, responding to the needs of surrounding neighborhoods, while forming part of the larger Canalscape network that adds significant value to quality of life in the Phoenix area.

In a related development, Jana Bommersbach discusses the Canalscape vision in October's Phoenix Magazine. Ms. Bommersbach's monthly column describes the Canalscape concept, and explains how it exemplifies Ellin's perspectives on urbanism, as described in her book Integral Urbanism: "Integral urbanism preserves buildings, neighborhoods and natural landscapes that we value; rehabilitates, reclaims, restores or renovates what is under-performing and adds what we do not have yet but would like."

More information:

• Arizona Centennial and the Centennial Projects: http://www.azcentennial.gov/
• Waterways or Cultural Oasis? by Jana Bommersbach, Phoenix Magazine
• Canalscape web site: http://canalscape.asu.edu/