“Five centuries ago, the Hohokam Indian civilization built more than 600 miles of canals in what is now the Valley of the Sun. In the late 19th century, the canal system, based on that original design, was reestablished, providing the water supply needed for growth. But new modern water delivery systems replaced the waterways, transforming these once-thriving canals into neglected and overlooked areas. That changed under the leadership of Nan Ellin, an ASU professor of urban planning, and other community advocates who envisioned a restored canal system and its potential impact for Arizona communities. With the support of the Salt River Project and Arizona Forward (formerly Valley Forward), that vision became reality. This revitalization continues as related projects extend and enhance the canal system throughout the Valley.” – Diane Brossart, CEO, Arizona Forward, Vanishing Phoenix, June 2011, “Canalscape: A Sustainable Urban Desert for Metro Phoenix.” Stewardship by Arizona Forward.
Canalscape: An Authentic and Sustainable Desert Urbanism for Metro Phoenix by Ellin with ASU Students. Phoenix: SRP, 2009.
“Canal Villages Could Become Phoenix Legacy,” Ellin, Arizona Republic, March 26, 2008.
“Desert Urbanism: Canalscape for Metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona,” by Stephen Buckman, Ellin, and David Proffitt, Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal, v 7(1), pages 42-54, September 2013.
“Canalscape: Practising Integral Urbanism in Metropolitan Phoenix,” by Ellin, August 26, 2010, Journal of Urban Design, v 15, 599-610.
“Implementing the Vision: Canalscape,” Pecha Kucha Phoenix, by Ellin, April 29, 2010.
Canalscape Video, directed by Conrad Miszuk and Hayden Houser, 2010.
Canalscape Video, by Sam Feldman, part of Canalscape Exhibition, 2009.
Articles by others about Canalscape
“Canals Connect Communities with Water and Recreation,” Warren Tenney, March 2, 2020.
“It’s Time Canals Poured Some Beauty Back Into Our Cites,” Editorial, Arizona Republic, May 19, 2015.
“West Valley Cities Want to Use Canals as Amenities,” David Madrid, Arizona Republic, April 7, 2014.
“A Fresh Vision of Valley’s Canals,” Dustin Gardiner, Arizona Republic, April 6, 2014.
“Advocates: Develop Areas Around Arizona’s Canals,” Dustin Gardiner, Arizona Republic, April 6, 2014.
“Phoenix Hopes to Make Canals Pedestrian Friendly,” Dustin Gardiner, Arizona Republic, April 5, 2014.
“Canals: Where We Gathered for Mischief, Adventure,” Valley Residents, Arizona Republic, March 29, 2014.
“Canals: Why Would a Desert City Turns Its Back on Them?,” Doug MacEachern, Arizona Republic, March 29, 2014.
“Canals’ Value? The Hohokam Knew It Well,” Jerry Howard, Arizona Republic, March 29, 2014.
“Unlocking Development Potential on the Phoenix Canals,” Michael Mehaffy, February 18, 2012.
“’Canalscape for Metro Phoenix’ Closing Reception,” Robrt L. Pela, Phoenix New Times, November 26, 2009.
“Canals,” Thanksgiving Day Editorial, Arizona Republic, November 26, 2009.
“Project Proposes New use for Canal System” by Laura Palmisano, State Press, November 17, 2009.
“Canalscape Stirs World’s Interest,” Editorial, Arizona Republic, November 8, 2009.
“Canalscape for Metro Phoenix: Installation and Exhibition,” ASU Art Museum, November 7, 2009.
“Changing the Channels: Exhibit Envisions Phoenix as the Next Venice or Frisco,” Robert L. Pela, Phoenix New Times, November 5, 2009.
“Canal Vision: An ASU Professor’s Plan to Create Scenic Villages around our Unsightly Canals Could Make Phoenix the Venice of the West,” Jana Bommersbach, Phoenix Magazine, October 2009, 26-9.
“Dreamers Look Anew at Valley Waterways,” Full-page editorial, Arizona Republic, September 7, 2009.
“Rethinking our Canals,” Downtown Phoenix Journal, September 2009,
“Untapped: For a visionary group of land-use experts and historians, it’s time residents stopped turning their backs on the Valley’s canals,” Doug MacEachearn, Arizona Republic, July 12, 2009.
“‘Greenest City’ Idea for Phoenix Bold but Doable,” Editorial, Arizona Republic, March 15, 2009.
“Greenest City in U.S.? Gordon to Unveil Lofty 17-Point Plan for Phoenix” by Scott Wong, Front page of Arizona Republic, March 11, 2009, with photo/caption “Canalscape,” one of the 17 points.
“Canalscape Symposium explores unique canal project,” by Corey Schubert, ASU Insight, February 13, 2009.
“ASU’s Canalscape Contributing to a ‘Green Phoenix’,” podcast, Ellin and Braden Kay, ASU Office of the President, April 3, 2009.