“Temporary Paradise?” and Its Influence on the Planning Culture in San Diego with Mike Stepner

The Finest City

This week, Kate sits down with Mike Stepner, former City Architect and long-time C3 member. Mike discusses “Temporary Paradise?” and why its quantitative approach still holds up today after being created in 1974. He and Kate discuss the relation between C3 and “Temporary Paradise?”, and how advocacy groups like C3 will continue to be a vital resource for our next generation of city architects and planners. Mike shares how specifically he feels “Temporary Paradise?” has influenced planning culture, how we can get the younger generation involved, and a few key names along the way whose work set us on a path to improvement.

Timestamps:

[2:18] What brought Mike back (besides snow) to San Diego from Chicago after time in the Navy? What have been some of his notable educational experiences from childhood to university?

[3:33] Why was Mike drawn to architecture?

[4:04] How can San Diego expand in terms of community appreciation of architecture? How is it compared to a city like Chicago?

[8:53] Mike talks about his role in the development of “Temporary Paradise?”.

[10:10] What were the conditions and historical events in the 1970s as a temporary paradise was being constructed?

[12:13] What was it about San Diego that required outsiders to come in? Did they really offer a fresh perspective and non-biased improvements?

[18:19] Mike discusses the process that Kevin Lynch and Donald Appleyard in building relationships and engaging the border communities.

[25:41] What was the intended purpose of “Temporary Paradise?”, and who was the intended audience?

[44:26] Mike speaks to the two audiences of C3: the policymakers and citizens or community members. How do we engage both groups?

[44:49] What challenges will the next generation of architects and planners encounter in San Diego?

[49:02] How should C3 continue to promote and support progressive planning in San Diego?

[1:00:14] How do we bring more students into the fold? What can students bring that professionals can’t?

About C-3

In its 60 years of existence, Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 (C-3) has brought together local thought leaders from planning, design, policy, academia, community development, and more to address our region’s distinctive and pressing land use challenges. In founding C-3 almost 60 years ago, architect Lloyd Ruocco’s vision was to bring together our region’s most creative minds from the arts, sciences, academia, and government to share ideas, learn new perspectives, and build fellowship around the idea of creating livable communities.

Opportunities for Advocacy and Engagement:

C3sandiego.org

“Temporary Paradise?”