Dorian Moore, FAIA
@dorianmoore.bsky.social
Architect and urbanist dedicated to enhancing cities through observation,
documentation, and Implementation.
documentation, and Implementation.
Pinned
A great day at the GDWP/RCE Imagining Greater Detroit/Windsor Conference. Excellent panels and presentations on our region’s global role and local resilience. I spoke on viewing the River as a “seam” linking our cities. Thanks to Francis Grunow for organizing this inspiring event.
Creating Authentic Places.
Authenticity is a word that we tend to throw around, quite often, mindlessly. But, what is it? In today’s climate when does one know that they’ve achieved it?
And, can you achieve authenticity when you’re actively trying to do so?
Something to ponder.
Authenticity is a word that we tend to throw around, quite often, mindlessly. But, what is it? In today’s climate when does one know that they’ve achieved it?
And, can you achieve authenticity when you’re actively trying to do so?
Something to ponder.
December 3, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Creating Authentic Places.
Authenticity is a word that we tend to throw around, quite often, mindlessly. But, what is it? In today’s climate when does one know that they’ve achieved it?
And, can you achieve authenticity when you’re actively trying to do so?
Something to ponder.
Authenticity is a word that we tend to throw around, quite often, mindlessly. But, what is it? In today’s climate when does one know that they’ve achieved it?
And, can you achieve authenticity when you’re actively trying to do so?
Something to ponder.
We call it a housing crisis, but the real crisis is the gap between what cities know works and what they’re willing to approve. It’s not a shortage of solutions, it’s a shortage of political will.
The solving needs tall and short, big and small, old and new.
All structures on deck.
The solving needs tall and short, big and small, old and new.
All structures on deck.
December 2, 2025 at 5:37 PM
We call it a housing crisis, but the real crisis is the gap between what cities know works and what they’re willing to approve. It’s not a shortage of solutions, it’s a shortage of political will.
The solving needs tall and short, big and small, old and new.
All structures on deck.
The solving needs tall and short, big and small, old and new.
All structures on deck.
Urban Designers need to incorporate play into urbanism. It’s vitally important that our public spaces, especially our streets, be designed for users of all ages.
#todayspublicspace
#cities #urbanism
#todayspublicspace
#cities #urbanism
December 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Urban Designers need to incorporate play into urbanism. It’s vitally important that our public spaces, especially our streets, be designed for users of all ages.
#todayspublicspace
#cities #urbanism
#todayspublicspace
#cities #urbanism
*SPOILER ALERT*: …No.
From strip malls to parking minimums, road rage to the “war on bikes,” designing cities cities around cars has created endless physical and emotional fallout.
Prioritize walking, rolling, biking, transit, driving. Then…Design Safe Streets!
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/11/20/o...
From strip malls to parking minimums, road rage to the “war on bikes,” designing cities cities around cars has created endless physical and emotional fallout.
Prioritize walking, rolling, biking, transit, driving. Then…Design Safe Streets!
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/11/20/o...
Op-Ed: Is There Really More 'Freedom' in a City That Depends on Cars? — Streetsblog USA
Or is that question a false dichotomy?
usa.streetsblog.org
November 30, 2025 at 11:47 AM
*SPOILER ALERT*: …No.
From strip malls to parking minimums, road rage to the “war on bikes,” designing cities cities around cars has created endless physical and emotional fallout.
Prioritize walking, rolling, biking, transit, driving. Then…Design Safe Streets!
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/11/20/o...
From strip malls to parking minimums, road rage to the “war on bikes,” designing cities cities around cars has created endless physical and emotional fallout.
Prioritize walking, rolling, biking, transit, driving. Then…Design Safe Streets!
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/11/20/o...
Studies show that people living within walking distance of parks are 47% more likely to meet recommended physical activity levels
Green Spaces Transform Canadian Cities into Health Powerhouses. Cities designed with health at their core reduce chronic disease rates by up to 20%, decrease mental health incidents by 30%, and significantly lower healthcare costs across populations.
www.healthcouncilcanada.ca/green-spaces...
www.healthcouncilcanada.ca/green-spaces...
November 30, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Studies show that people living within walking distance of parks are 47% more likely to meet recommended physical activity levels
Dundas St. Woodstock. #todaysmainstreet shows how smalltown main streets still have strong bones: historic buildings, reuse potential, and room for new housing to support local retail. Some are doing well, others are struggling. How do we help small town mainstreets thrive again?
November 29, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Dundas St. Woodstock. #todaysmainstreet shows how smalltown main streets still have strong bones: historic buildings, reuse potential, and room for new housing to support local retail. Some are doing well, others are struggling. How do we help small town mainstreets thrive again?
#Thanksgiving in the D is one of my favorite days. Events like America’s Thanksgiving Parade (started 1924) show how streets are vital public spaces. Floats and bands on Woodward Ave., ice skating and Xmas markets at Campus Martius, and the Lions’ 1934 tradition make the day a fave.
November 27, 2025 at 11:28 AM
#Thanksgiving in the D is one of my favorite days. Events like America’s Thanksgiving Parade (started 1924) show how streets are vital public spaces. Floats and bands on Woodward Ave., ice skating and Xmas markets at Campus Martius, and the Lions’ 1934 tradition make the day a fave.
Active mobility in general, and biking specifically, is an important component of successful city building. It’s often met with derision by those intent on maintaining the primacy of the automobile.
So, here’s your comebacks for all those anti-bikers!
momentummag.com/your-comebac...
So, here’s your comebacks for all those anti-bikers!
momentummag.com/your-comebac...
November 26, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Active mobility in general, and biking specifically, is an important component of successful city building. It’s often met with derision by those intent on maintaining the primacy of the automobile.
So, here’s your comebacks for all those anti-bikers!
momentummag.com/your-comebac...
So, here’s your comebacks for all those anti-bikers!
momentummag.com/your-comebac...
This never ceases to awe me whenever I exit Russel Square Station #London:
4 storey mix use. Integrated urban transit station. Vertical, narrow townhomes. Sidewalk vendors. All in a 1 block street frontage.
Just do this.
Everywhere.
All the time.
#mediumscalemediumdesnsity
#GlobalUrbanStudy
4 storey mix use. Integrated urban transit station. Vertical, narrow townhomes. Sidewalk vendors. All in a 1 block street frontage.
Just do this.
Everywhere.
All the time.
#mediumscalemediumdesnsity
#GlobalUrbanStudy
November 25, 2025 at 12:11 PM
This never ceases to awe me whenever I exit Russel Square Station #London:
4 storey mix use. Integrated urban transit station. Vertical, narrow townhomes. Sidewalk vendors. All in a 1 block street frontage.
Just do this.
Everywhere.
All the time.
#mediumscalemediumdesnsity
#GlobalUrbanStudy
4 storey mix use. Integrated urban transit station. Vertical, narrow townhomes. Sidewalk vendors. All in a 1 block street frontage.
Just do this.
Everywhere.
All the time.
#mediumscalemediumdesnsity
#GlobalUrbanStudy
My recent interview with CBC Windsor Morning’s Amy Dodge discussing Windsor’s One-Way to Two-Way street conversions in the Downtown and the neighbourhoods. An important move for safety and livability. Have a listen.
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
November 24, 2025 at 11:31 AM
My recent interview with CBC Windsor Morning’s Amy Dodge discussing Windsor’s One-Way to Two-Way street conversions in the Downtown and the neighbourhoods. An important move for safety and livability. Have a listen.
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
Passages, arcades, mews, lanes, and walks shape London’s fine-grained connectivity. These routes invite wandering, add mystery between major streets, and enrich the pedestrian experience. Their mix of retail, culture, and quiet spots strengthens local life and urban texture. #globalurbanstudy
November 23, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Passages, arcades, mews, lanes, and walks shape London’s fine-grained connectivity. These routes invite wandering, add mystery between major streets, and enrich the pedestrian experience. Their mix of retail, culture, and quiet spots strengthens local life and urban texture. #globalurbanstudy
#todayscoolcoffeeshop A return to one of my fave coffee shops. Ground Control, London. 300 square feet. Sits 8, technically(6 realistically).
Tucked into the neighborhood. Brought back memories of my first visit a decade ago when I sat, made notes, and sketched the day away.
#GlobalUrbanStudyMonth
Tucked into the neighborhood. Brought back memories of my first visit a decade ago when I sat, made notes, and sketched the day away.
#GlobalUrbanStudyMonth
November 22, 2025 at 12:51 PM
#todayscoolcoffeeshop A return to one of my fave coffee shops. Ground Control, London. 300 square feet. Sits 8, technically(6 realistically).
Tucked into the neighborhood. Brought back memories of my first visit a decade ago when I sat, made notes, and sketched the day away.
#GlobalUrbanStudyMonth
Tucked into the neighborhood. Brought back memories of my first visit a decade ago when I sat, made notes, and sketched the day away.
#GlobalUrbanStudyMonth
A Brighton day trip revealed a city-by-the-sea with its own urban vernacular. Beyond tourism, housing colors, bold wall graphics, and a mix of neighborhood, independent, flea-market, and global retail define its core. All before you get to its distinctive rock-ladened beachfront. #globalurbanstudy
November 21, 2025 at 11:28 AM
A Brighton day trip revealed a city-by-the-sea with its own urban vernacular. Beyond tourism, housing colors, bold wall graphics, and a mix of neighborhood, independent, flea-market, and global retail define its core. All before you get to its distinctive rock-ladened beachfront. #globalurbanstudy
A night visit to King’s Cross shows Western Coal Drops Yard as a standout #adaptivereuse project. Once 19th century coal sheds, now connected by glazed spaces and terraces, the retail bays create a distinct rhythm and help define one of London’s most dynamic emerging districts. #globalurbanstudy
November 20, 2025 at 11:37 AM
A night visit to King’s Cross shows Western Coal Drops Yard as a standout #adaptivereuse project. Once 19th century coal sheds, now connected by glazed spaces and terraces, the retail bays create a distinct rhythm and help define one of London’s most dynamic emerging districts. #globalurbanstudy
A slight #designdiversion
My travel playlist, Sounds of the City. London Edition.
Each song a reminder of the city and the experience of traveling to and throughout the UK.
Definitely personal, and on-the-nose, but fun nonetheless-the-less.
My travel playlist, Sounds of the City. London Edition.
Each song a reminder of the city and the experience of traveling to and throughout the UK.
Definitely personal, and on-the-nose, but fun nonetheless-the-less.
November 19, 2025 at 11:56 AM
A slight #designdiversion
My travel playlist, Sounds of the City. London Edition.
Each song a reminder of the city and the experience of traveling to and throughout the UK.
Definitely personal, and on-the-nose, but fun nonetheless-the-less.
My travel playlist, Sounds of the City. London Edition.
Each song a reminder of the city and the experience of traveling to and throughout the UK.
Definitely personal, and on-the-nose, but fun nonetheless-the-less.
#TheFutureOfRetailIsSmall. Studying London’s ground floor conditions, I noted in Spitalfields’ 9–12 ft shops thriving as ideal spaces for independents. These right-sized units, here lining a parking entry ramp, show how small formats help create vibrant, unique, amenity rich urban locales.
November 18, 2025 at 11:37 AM
#TheFutureOfRetailIsSmall. Studying London’s ground floor conditions, I noted in Spitalfields’ 9–12 ft shops thriving as ideal spaces for independents. These right-sized units, here lining a parking entry ramp, show how small formats help create vibrant, unique, amenity rich urban locales.
A Saturday trip to #portobelloroad always makes me think about colour and place. Vibrant home colours with contrasting doors make a unique #nottinghill vernacular, echoed in the market’s vibrant wares and foods. An immersive lesson in putting “unity” in community. #globalurbanstudy
November 16, 2025 at 11:55 AM
A Saturday trip to #portobelloroad always makes me think about colour and place. Vibrant home colours with contrasting doors make a unique #nottinghill vernacular, echoed in the market’s vibrant wares and foods. An immersive lesson in putting “unity” in community. #globalurbanstudy
I’ve long admired this Bloomsbury adaptive reuse project. Once a Daimler car hire garage with a striking curved ramp, it later housed McCann’s London offices and now continues with new uses. A great Art Deco example, it shows how well older structures can evolve. A fave in my adaptive-reuse studies.
November 14, 2025 at 11:34 AM
I’ve long admired this Bloomsbury adaptive reuse project. Once a Daimler car hire garage with a striking curved ramp, it later housed McCann’s London offices and now continues with new uses. A great Art Deco example, it shows how well older structures can evolve. A fave in my adaptive-reuse studies.
While in London studying ground floor urban conditions, I reflected on how revisiting a place deepens my understanding, and reshapes my #urbanstructurediagrams. This Bloomsbury sketch maps connections, landmarks, vistas, and densities in a richly walkable, transit served, amenity filled district.
November 13, 2025 at 11:40 AM
While in London studying ground floor urban conditions, I reflected on how revisiting a place deepens my understanding, and reshapes my #urbanstructurediagrams. This Bloomsbury sketch maps connections, landmarks, vistas, and densities in a richly walkable, transit served, amenity filled district.
Although this article is about California, the issue of the interrelationship between traffic and transit/housing is the same in most of our North American context.
cal.streetsblog.org/2025/10/23/t...
cal.streetsblog.org/2025/10/23/t...
Transform : Traffic Congestion Is a Housing and Transit Problem, Not a Highway Problem - Streetsblog California
Even the smartest engineer will come up with the wrong answer when they start with the wrong assumptions.
cal.streetsblog.org
November 8, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Although this article is about California, the issue of the interrelationship between traffic and transit/housing is the same in most of our North American context.
cal.streetsblog.org/2025/10/23/t...
cal.streetsblog.org/2025/10/23/t...
A slight #designdiversion — As a kid, I loved comics set in real cities like NYC. I’d fixate on the backgrounds more than the heroes, then I’d hunt down those buildings in real life. My early fascination with color, architecture, and perspective still informs how I see city design today.
November 7, 2025 at 11:09 AM
A slight #designdiversion — As a kid, I loved comics set in real cities like NYC. I’d fixate on the backgrounds more than the heroes, then I’d hunt down those buildings in real life. My early fascination with color, architecture, and perspective still informs how I see city design today.
A city says “Enough is enough!”
“BICYCLIST HIT, KILLED BY VEHICLE ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE”, read the KSAT News headline on April 2, 2025.
San Antonio embarks on a Bike Network Plan to save lives in an auto focused city. Orher cities should pay attention.
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/10/31/p...
“BICYCLIST HIT, KILLED BY VEHICLE ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE”, read the KSAT News headline on April 2, 2025.
San Antonio embarks on a Bike Network Plan to save lives in an auto focused city. Orher cities should pay attention.
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/10/31/p...
November 4, 2025 at 12:01 PM
A city says “Enough is enough!”
“BICYCLIST HIT, KILLED BY VEHICLE ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE”, read the KSAT News headline on April 2, 2025.
San Antonio embarks on a Bike Network Plan to save lives in an auto focused city. Orher cities should pay attention.
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/10/31/p...
“BICYCLIST HIT, KILLED BY VEHICLE ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE”, read the KSAT News headline on April 2, 2025.
San Antonio embarks on a Bike Network Plan to save lives in an auto focused city. Orher cities should pay attention.
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/10/31/p...
Activate the edge.
Important to the success of downtowns and main streets. Brings vibrancy, activity, and interest to the pedestrian. Having long stretches of inactivity and blank walls kills the pedestrian experience and pretty much dooms many commercial districts.
Seems obvious…and yet..
Important to the success of downtowns and main streets. Brings vibrancy, activity, and interest to the pedestrian. Having long stretches of inactivity and blank walls kills the pedestrian experience and pretty much dooms many commercial districts.
Seems obvious…and yet..
November 3, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Activate the edge.
Important to the success of downtowns and main streets. Brings vibrancy, activity, and interest to the pedestrian. Having long stretches of inactivity and blank walls kills the pedestrian experience and pretty much dooms many commercial districts.
Seems obvious…and yet..
Important to the success of downtowns and main streets. Brings vibrancy, activity, and interest to the pedestrian. Having long stretches of inactivity and blank walls kills the pedestrian experience and pretty much dooms many commercial districts.
Seems obvious…and yet..
#MediumScaleMediumDensity: 3–5 story residential or mixed-use buildings are the essential fabric of mixed-income, mixed-density neighborhoods. Historic examples are all around; we need new ones of equal quality. As zoning, parking & access barriers fall, where are today’s success stories?
November 1, 2025 at 11:32 AM
#MediumScaleMediumDensity: 3–5 story residential or mixed-use buildings are the essential fabric of mixed-income, mixed-density neighborhoods. Historic examples are all around; we need new ones of equal quality. As zoning, parking & access barriers fall, where are today’s success stories?
223 kids,
3 frogs,
1 super-family,
342 parents (rushing back for the game),
and the return of the annual Treehouse of Horror marathon later…
#happyhalloween
3 frogs,
1 super-family,
342 parents (rushing back for the game),
and the return of the annual Treehouse of Horror marathon later…
#happyhalloween
November 1, 2025 at 12:08 AM
223 kids,
3 frogs,
1 super-family,
342 parents (rushing back for the game),
and the return of the annual Treehouse of Horror marathon later…
#happyhalloween
3 frogs,
1 super-family,
342 parents (rushing back for the game),
and the return of the annual Treehouse of Horror marathon later…
#happyhalloween