What can we learn from other nations? This City Builders episode places a focus on the study of European cities and how they can inform urbanism and architecture in North America.

Mark and Dorian commonly discuss their Global Urban Study (G.U.S.) approach to city building. This is the fundamental idea of the study of cities from around the world to understand what works and doesn't.

See City Builders Episode 4 for an overview of the GUS.

Europe is a great inspiration and laboratory for urbanism. Mark and Dorian have spent a significant amount of time and have studied hundreds of European cities to gather insight into city building.

This episode focuses on some of those ideas that are important to learn from the cities of Europe.

Take in the dialogue between Mark and Dorian about elements of Europe that may or may not apply in North American city building.
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NOTE: All photos and videos shown in this episode were taken by Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA except as noted. They do not claim ownership of any third-party images, if unintentionally included, in this channel’s content. All rights remain with their respective owners.

• Some Aerial Images from Google Earth

Please join the City Builders, LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the channel
and SHARE this episode with others!

@CityBuildersLog
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City Builders hosts:

Mark Nickita, FAIA
President of Archive DS, Detroit + Toronto.
Architects, Urban Designers, City Builders

Dorian Moore, FAIA
Vice President of Archive DS, Detroit + Toronto.
Architects, Urban Designers, City Builders

Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA lead Archive DS, a distinctly unique urban design, architectural, planning and development consulting practice. Archive DS travels the globe studying and documenting urban development for use in practice in cities around North America.

They are City Builders.

Archive DS [Design Studio] is an award-winning team of urban specialists focused on re-establishing post-industrial cities and urban sites, with a primary emphasis on the Lake Belt Region of North America. Through architecture, urban design, civic leadership, entrepreneurial activity, lecturing and global urban research, Archive DS has established a reputation as experts regarding the enhancement of the built environment and their various challenges.

The firm’s partners also serve as a resource on urban issues, as civic and professional leaders for local and national media outlets. Their professional experience has encompassed many aspects of city-making. These include major civic projects, adaptive reuse buildings, innovative mixed-use developments and historic renovations as well as the creation of design and economic strategies, urban visioning, and Placemaking, in addition to working as developers and the branding of projects and urban districts.

Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA are available to assist in the development of building and urban design projects. They often team up with other firms and consult with development groups and municipalities. They have also presented and lectured for numerous groups on a variety of urban issues and topics throughout North America.

contact info:
www. ArchiveDS.com
info@ArchiveDS.com
313.963.6687
________________________________________________________
Music for video Intro and Outro:
"Changers"
written and performed by Curtainwall

Curtainwall is:
Dave Baker - Guitars
Mike Gusway - Bass
Mark Nickita - Drums+Vocals
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Fair Use Disclaimer
The content shared on this channel may include copyrighted material used for commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, research, or education purposes. All such use falls under the guidelines of Fair Use under Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 107). We do not claim ownership of any third-party images, video clips, or audio featured in this channel’s content. All rights remain with their respective owners.

Copyright ©︎ 2026 City Builders, Mark Nickita, Dorian Moore. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of City Builders, Mark and Dorian connect with long time friend and colleague, Howard Blackson, a San Diego based, urban designer.

Howard presents a number of urban design and planning issues that are working as well as some challenges in his hometown of San Diego.

Also explained and discussed are the concepts of the Next Urbanism, Vertical Urbanism and the Erect Transect.

Check out this lively discussion about another American border city, wide streets, current concerns regarding urban retail, the movement of architects as developers and other urban ideas from the southern part of California.

Contact information for Urban Designer, Howard Blackson here:

Howard Blackson::Urban Design
howardblackson.com
LinkedIn.com/in/howard-blackson
______________________________________________________________________
NOTE: All photos and videos shown in this episode were taken by Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA except as noted. They do not claim ownership of any third-party images, if unintentionally included, in this channel’s content. All rights remain with their respective owners.

Some images provided by Howard Blackson, from his project archive

Please join the City Builders, LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the channel
and SHARE this episode with others!

@CityBuildersLog
______________________________________________________________________
City Builders hosts:

Mark Nickita, FAIA
President of Archive DS, Detroit + Toronto.
Architects, Urban Designers, City Builders

Dorian Moore, FAIA
Vice President of Archive DS, Detroit + Toronto.
Architects, Urban Designers, City Builders

Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA lead Archive DS, a distinctly unique urban design, architectural, planning and development consulting practice. Archive DS travels the globe studying and documenting urban development for use in practice in cities around North America.

They are City Builders.

Archive DS [Design Studio] is an award-winning team of urban specialists focused on re-establishing post-industrial cities and urban sites, with a primary emphasis on the Lake Belt Region of North America. Through architecture, urban design, civic leadership, entrepreneurial activity, lecturing and global urban research, Archive DS has established a reputation as experts regarding the enhancement of the built environment and their various challenges.

The firm’s partners also serve as a resource on urban issues, as civic and professional leaders for local and national media outlets. Their professional experience has encompassed many aspects of city-making. These include major civic projects, adaptive reuse buildings, innovative mixed-use developments and historic renovations as well as the creation of design and economic strategies, urban visioning, and Placemaking, in addition to working as developers and the branding of projects and urban districts.

Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA are available to assist in the development of building and urban design projects. They often team up with other firms and consult with development groups and municipalities. They have also presented and lectured for numerous groups on a variety of urban issues and topics throughout North America.

contact info:
www. ArchiveDS.com
info@ArchiveDS.com
313.963.6687
________________________________________________________
Music for video Intro and Outro:
"Changers"
written and performed by Curtainwall

Curtainwall is:
Dave Baker - Guitars
Mike Gusway - Bass
Mark Nickita - Drums+Vocals
________________________________________________________
Fair Use Disclaimer
The content shared on this channel may include copyrighted material used for commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, research, or education purposes. All such use falls under the guidelines of Fair Use under Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 107). We do not claim ownership of any third-party images, video clips, or audio featured in this channel’s content. All rights remain with their respective owners.

Copyright ©︎ 2026 City Builders, Mark Nickita, Dorian Moore. All Rights Reserved.

What's America's best campus?

The City Builders definitely have an informed opinion on what they
believe is the best college campus in America.

Many college campuses have traditional buildings, a unifying aesthetic,
and plenty of public space. But, this campus is the result of a holistic
vision. One that goes from the master plan all the way down to the
detail of the door knob.

It's a modern vision of a campus based on traditional instincts and
techniques. It's a campus that creates a pedestrian journey as one
follows a series of pathways, terminated vistas, courtyards, and
arcades.

It's a campus that creates an educational and living environment from,
the elementary school level to the University level. That's part of the
reason that it's referred to as an "educational community".

Dorian and Mark tour a place designed by one of their most admired
historic architects, Eliel Saarinren, FAIA
______________________________________________________________________
NOTE: All photos and videos shown in this episode were taken by Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA except as noted. They do not claim ownership of any third-party images, if unintentionally included, in this channel’s content. All rights remain with their respective owners.

Please join the City Builders, LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the channel
and SHARE this episode with others!

@CityBuildersLog
______________________________________________________________________
City Builders hosts:

Mark Nickita, FAIA
President of Archive DS, Detroit + Toronto.
Architects, Urban Designers, City Builders

Dorian Moore, FAIA
Vice President of Archive DS, Detroit + Toronto.
Architects, Urban Designers, City Builders

Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA lead Archive DS, a distinctly unique urban design, architectural, planning and development consulting practice. Archive DS travels the globe studying and documenting urban development for use in practice in cities around North America.

They are City Builders.

Archive DS [Design Studio] is an award-winning team of urban specialists focused on re-establishing post-industrial cities and urban sites, with a primary emphasis on the Lake Belt Region of North America. Through architecture, urban design, civic leadership, entrepreneurial activity, lecturing and global urban research, Archive DS has established a reputation as experts regarding the enhancement of the built environment and their various challenges.

The firm’s partners also serve as a resource on urban issues, as civic and professional leaders for local and national media outlets. Their professional experience has encompassed many aspects of city-making. These include major civic projects, adaptive reuse buildings, innovative mixed-use developments and historic renovations as well as the creation of design and economic strategies, urban visioning, and Placemaking, in addition to working as developers and the branding of projects and urban districts.

Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA are available to assist in the development of building and urban design projects. They often team up with other firms and consult with development groups and municipalities. They have also presented and lectured for numerous groups on a variety of urban issues and topics throughout North America.

contact info:
www. ArchiveDS.com
info@ArchiveDS.com
313.963.6687
________________________________________________________
Music for video Intro and Outro:
"Changers"
written and performed by Curtainwall

Curtainwall is:
Dave Baker - Guitars
Mike Gusway - Bass
Mark Nickita - Drums+Vocals
________________________________________________________
Fair Use Disclaimer
The content shared on this channel may include copyrighted material used for commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, research, or education purposes. All such use falls under the guidelines of Fair Use under Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 107). We do not claim ownership of any third-party images, video clips, or audio featured in this channel’s content. All rights remain with their respective owners.

Copyright ©︎ 2026 City Builders, Mark Nickita, Dorian Moore. All Rights Reserved.