16 articles tagged with urban nature
Standing on the banks of Copenhagen's harbor at dawn, I'm struck by how the city's relationship with water mirrors what my Mi'kmaq grandfather taught me years ago – urban waterways aren't just geographic features but living arteries that carry the...
Who would have thought that nestled within the suburban landscape of Sterling Heights lies a *symphonie sauvage* of natural trails waiting to be explored? Like discovering an unexpected bass note in a familiar melody, Michigan's third-largest city surprised me with...
Standing at the edge of Main City Park as golden hour bathes Gresham in warm amber light, I find myself wondering why more travelers don't venture to this understated gem. Just a 30-minute MAX ride from downtown Portland, Gresham offers...
Standing beneath a canopy of purple jacaranda blossoms in Pretoria's Church Square, I found myself contemplating the curious nature of capital cities. As someone who's navigated the complex layers of Tokyo, Washington D.C., and Brasília—all capitals that represent pieces of...
Growing up just two hours southwest of Toronto, I've always had a complicated relationship with Canada's largest metropolis. As an urban planner, I'm fascinated by its architectural evolution and cultural layers, but as someone raised near the shores of Lake...
Los Angeles often feels like a city performing for an audience – all bright lights, celebrity handprints, and tour buses crawling past supposed star residences. But after covering sporting events here for over two decades before my move to New...
Growing up with wilderness skills from my Mexican grandfather, I've always had an eye for spotting the overlooked treasures in any landscape. Gaithersburg might not make national travel headlines, but this Maryland gem has captivated me during my environmental consulting...
Y'all, I've got a confession: I slept on Greenville for *years*. As a West Coast girl who thought she'd seen it all, this South Carolina gem blindsided me with its perfect blend of Southern charm and cosmopolitan cool. When my...
After 40 years helping travelers navigate their journeys at Hawaiian Airlines, I've learned that the soul of a city rarely resides in its postcard attractions. Los Angeles, with its sprawling neighborhoods and diverse communities, holds countless treasures that most tourists...
The taxi driver laughed when I mentioned my plans to seek outdoor adventures in São Paulo. 'Senhor, this is a concrete jungle, not the Amazon,' he said, navigating through the endless sea of high-rises that define Brazil's largest metropolis. After...
As someone who spends most workdays presiding over environmental cases in Richmond's courtrooms, I've developed a profound appreciation for accessible urban green spaces. St. Peters, Missouri might not appear on typical outdoor adventure lists, but this modest Midwestern suburb harbors...
Vienna surprised me. Known worldwide for Mozart, Strauss, and opulent Habsburg palaces, I expected to spend my week surrounded by gilded interiors and concert halls. But what captivated me most was the city's remarkable green soul—a network of accessible outdoor...
The morning tram rattles past my window, its distinctive bell echoing through Haga's cobblestone streets as I sip my second cup of strong Swedish coffee. After decades traversing the globe covering sporting events, I've developed a sixth sense for cities...
When my marine conservation work brought me to Sri Lanka's shores last year, I expected to spend most of my time beneath the waves. Instead, I found myself utterly captivated by Colombo—a vibrant coastal capital where colonial architecture stands shoulder-to-shoulder...
You know that feeling when you're designing a game level and you discover that perfect little alcove that just *works*? That's exactly how I felt stumbling upon Lisbon's hidden corners during my recent 'research trip' (yes, that's what I tell...