(Originally aired July 16, 2007.)
Tom Fudge: There are many cities across the globe that we consider special or even world class. Often this is a reflection of their size, their prosperity and their global connections in a global economy. But it also has something to do with the way they look. A city with a striking or beautiful skyline sticks in our memories. It makes us want to go there and be part of the experience. Paris has the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Sydney has its Opera House. New York has the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building. And San Diego has, well, what does San Diego have?
Our downtown has been booming in the past two decades. It's a national model for redevelopment. But aside from maybe the Padres’ Ballpark, does it have any buildings that make you know you're looking at San Diego? Does it have any iconic architecture? Some say central San Diego has become a forest of faceless glass condo buildings. Why is that, and is that a problem?
Guests
- Gill Cooke, dean of San Diego's NewSchool of Architecture and Design .
- Frank Wolden, design principal at Carrier Johnson , a local architecture, interior and urban design firm.
