I'On Dialogues Pt. 1 - "Historical Context: The Story of Charleston as a Story of American Urbanism"

Part 1: "Historical Context: The Story of Charleston as a Story of American Urbanism"

The story of Charleston is in many ways the story of American urbanism. Settled during the Enlightenment Period in 1670, Charleston's urbanism spans the range from the beauty of a largely intact human scale city to the alienating sprawl of contemporary times. Setting the stage, this session places the story of Charleston and I’On in the context of our national civic story.

Session Panelists/ “Provocateurs”:

  • Dana Beach, Conservationist, Founder, Coastal Conservation League

  • Jason Crowley, Communities & Transportation Senior Program Director, Coastal Conservation League

  • Vince Graham, Co-Founder, I’On

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Full Series Description:

“Ancora Imparo” (I am still learning), attributed to Michelangelo, then 87, while working on the design for St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

In 1995, a radical new neighborhood was proposed for Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Radical in the sense that its design departed from the conventional post-WWII growth patterns. But also radical in that the vision for I’On built upon the foundational root of human settlement patterns.

Opposed at the outset, the neighborhood’s founders, Geoff, Tom and Vince Graham, together with supporters of their vision, endured years of political and legal wrangling to secure approval. Though acclaimed as South Carolina’s most celebrated neighborhood of the past 25 years, I’On continues to be viewed as a radical departure from the norm. Because it is!

In honor of the 25th anniversary of I’On’s approval and groundbreaking, the Grahams invited urban designers who helped shape the vision for I’On, as well as builders, scholars and activists who have inspired their thinking over the last quarter century, for a gathering called The I’On Dialogues.

Held October 23-25, 2022, the Dialogues drew upon lessons learned from I’On and elsewhere for the purpose of raising the level of awareness and discourse surrounding land use and transportation policy reform. Divided into eight sessions interspersed with walking tours, The I’On Dialogues sought to provoke opportunity-opening discussion that would advance the endeavor to achieve a more beautiful and humane built environment.

I'On DialoguesVince Graham