Ian M Tobin

Osaka

After a day of meetings with officials of the City of Osaka, I would get back to my hotel, shed my blazer and tie and head off into the streets to explore a city unlike any other one I’ve experienced.

Losing Our Third Spaces

In the early days of the COVID pandemic, with no other options, the State of Illinois used the blunt force of a shut down to stop the spread of the virus. Lives were saved, but many small businesses died. As a series of restrictions on businesses continue to tighten and relax, we find ourselves losing something more than just commerce. We are losing our third spaces.

Illuminated Signs

Nothing is more quintessential to the energy and liveliness of a city than the glow of illuminated signs.