90. MAGAlopolis

The inauguration of the 47th president of the United States takes place on January 20. What are the implications of Trump 2.0 on the built environment, design and cities? Inspired by the eponymous, omnibus crucible of dread in the New York Review of Architecture, we huddled with the best and brightest design critics we know, Kate Wagner (The Nation / McMansion Hell) and Zach Mortice (Bloomberg CityLab) to try to come to grips with the oncoming MAGAlopolis. === Intro/Outro: “Elevator,” by The Cooper Vane == Discussed: Will They Build the Wall and its Ancillaries? Trump Will Not Make Architecture Great Again Make Tartaria Great Again Journalists needed, maybe more than architects right now The Harold Washington Library is not a relic of an advanced 19th century civilization Will there be a Super State Fair? Trump administration aesthetic = BioShock Infinite Will the FBI Edgar J. Hoover Building (C.F. Murphy, 1975) be moved or demolished? The Trads Have It Tommy Tuberville: California will get Federal aid if “conditions are met” Scott Turner: Putting the CHUD in HUD Jason Tester: Insurrection Post-fire price gouging in L.A. Suspending environmental regulations in California to build the same thing over again It’s housing affordability, stupid – look at Canada What happened to the rent cap? We’re a few election cycles away from “progressive” mayors actually stepping up to the mic “The future is about old people, in big cities, afraid of the sky.” – Bruce Sterling Hoovervilles > Trumptowns DOGE = Department of Graft Enhancement