Probably should have read this celebration of small towns and compact design vs. suburban sprawl a long time ago. In 2017, it seems a bit dated and less resonant, but still interesting. The concept of small towns and compact design has always been an important topic. It offers a different perspective compared to the typical suburban sprawl. However, as time has passed, some of the ideas presented may not be as relevant or impactful as they once were.

On the other hand, Walkable City was more current, direct, and substantive. It addressed the contemporary issues and challenges related to urban planning and design. The book provided practical solutions and strategies for creating more walkable and livable cities. It emphasized the importance of considering the needs and preferences of pedestrians and cyclists, as well as the environmental and social impacts of urban development.

Overall, while the celebration of small towns and compact design may have its merits, Walkable City seems to offer a more up-to-date and comprehensive approach to urban planning. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in creating more sustainable and vibrant communities.

A Fantastic Explanation of the Negative Social and Environmental Impact of Post WWII Development in America

After World War II, America witnessed significant development. However, this progress brought about various negative social and environmental impacts. We are now facing rising energy prices, global warming, serious environmental concerns, growing social inequality and segregation, declining civic engagement, poor health, and a decline in both the quality of life and community.

The Neighborhood has long been the cornerstone of civilizations. But with the spread of the car, access to cheap energy, and remarkable wealth gains, especially in America, we have overlooked its importance. Architects explain that suburbs can sometimes feel lifeless, while places like Charleston and Manhattan are rich in culture and seem like living organisms. Surprisingly, the most renowned neighborhoods in America, like the ones mentioned, are now illegal to replicate due to public policy.

Seriously, this book offers valuable insights. I highly recommend reading it along with Richard Heinberg's "The End of Growth: Adapting to Our New Economic Reality" and Michael Shuman's "Small-Mart Revolution." These works together can help us better understand and address the complex issues we are facing today.

The older I grow, the more I come to realize that I truly have to have knowledge about urban planning. This is because the environment in which I live has a significant impact on what I am capable of doing and how I am able to develop. It is also especially interesting because whenever I hear about walkable (livable) neighbourhoods, I always think of Europe. However, the authors mentioned a neighbourhood in Markham that they initially assisted in formulating guidelines for, even though it was modified after they left.

Personally, as I peruse through the city of London's new plan for urban design, it makes me feel slightly more hopeful. They haven't gotten everything perfect; for instance, mixed use is still deficient. But I can value the direction they are taking. It gives me a glimmer of hope that with proper planning and continuous improvement, our urban environments can become more conducive to our well-being and growth.

Perhaps in the future, we will see more neighbourhoods that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and sustainable. This would not only enhance our quality of life but also contribute to the overall development of our cities.

This book presents a crucial message that Americans need to listen to.

If we continue to build as we have for the past half-century, with subdivisions lacking sidewalks as there is nowhere to walk to, stores randomly placed in the middle of highways and vast parking lots, and offices located without any particular purpose and empty of all human activity after 5 pm, we should not be astonished by issues such as rising rates of depression and anxiety, teen suicides, school shootings, and voter apathy.

However, there is a better alternative. The way cities and towns were constructed throughout history until the mid-20th century was a network of connecting streets (rather than individual collector roads with attached cul-de-sacs). Shops lined these streets, with apartments and offices above, forming the downtown. Houses of different sizes lined the surrounding streets, becoming less dense as one moved away from the city center.

This model provides people with opportunities to interact with a diverse cross-section of their community in ways that are simply not feasible in suburbia. Although zoning laws are changing in some areas, in many places, it is illegal to build traditional communities due to single-use zoning rules that prevent shops and apartments from being on the same block, let alone in the same building.

Until society demands changes in the way we build our communities, most of us will remain slaves to our automobiles and more isolated than we desire.

While the book's title emphasizes the negative aspects of suburban growth, its real focus is on outlining how to create traditional neighborhoods. It is an enjoyable read and can also be easily skimmed by those who are not ready to read it from cover to cover. I highly recommend checking it out.

Traditional neighborhood design offers a more compelling and straightforward approach compared to suburban sprawl.

This concept neatly encapsulates many of the thoughts and opinions I hold regarding urban planning. As someone who has spent 4 years as a civil engineering student, I find the criticisms of engineers to be quite fair.

Moreover, I truly appreciate the authors' effort in emphasizing that these proposed changes do not advocate for a bigger government. Instead, they aim for a smarter and simpler one.

As a society, we should re-evaluate our priorities and work towards eliminating waste as a government.

It is my hope that we can better design our built environment to enhance efficiency and foster a sense of community.

After all, as the saying goes, "what is good for neighborhoods is good for America."

This simple yet profound statement highlights the importance of considering the well-being of our local communities when making decisions about urban development.

I was already familiar with New Urbanism and its principles prior to reading this book. Having delved into several other books regarding the suburbs and urban design, the content here wasn't overly astonishing. However, it was presented in a wonderfully simple manner.

If you grew up in a suburb that you loathed due to its dullness, lacking a place to stroll to at night to purchase a soda, or if you visited cities with incredibly vibrant downtown areas and thought - I wish my town could resemble this, then this book is a must-read. There's a quote at the beginning that describes the story of New Urbanism, and it truly resonated with my feelings about my own town and other towns:

"This was the best story I had ever heard because even though I had understood it in my heart for years, I had never understood it in my head. I knew that I loved older places like Georgetown and hated newer places like Tyson's Corner, but I had never really asked myself why."

You can recognize good design when you encounter it, you can sense it, because it enhances life. We have become far too accustomed to bad design and sprawl. It's high time we commence taking back our cities and creating more livable and vibrant urban environments.

This book had a profound impact on me, making me seriously consider delving into the field of planning.

It was truly an outstanding piece of work, written with great skill and precision.

The author's ability to present complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner was remarkable.

Every page was filled with valuable information that not only educated but also inspired me.

The detailed explanations and real-life examples provided a comprehensive understanding of the planning process.

Reading this book opened my eyes to the possibilities and challenges within the field.

It made me realize the importance of strategic thinking and careful organization.

I found myself constantly engaged, eager to learn more and apply the concepts I was reading about.

Overall, this book was a game-changer for me, fueling my passion for planning and setting me on a path to explore this exciting area further.

I had been longing to read this book for two years, and I'm truly delighted that I finally managed to finish it.

I just wish I had read it when I was still in high school, complaining about living in my St. Louis exurb, far from school and friends.

This book was extremely helpful in explaining why my beloved hometown functions the way it does and why it has declined more than any other city in the US since the 1960s. The extensive government financial and policy support for building the suburbs in the 1950s was partly responsible for my city's downfall. The suburbs segregated people by race and income, and the city lost its sense of community. Many places that people once cared about were abandoned due to the massive migration to the suburbs.

The authors point out that it is extremely beneficial for cities to annex prosperous suburbs, which is what St. Louis should have done after the '60s to prevent such a rapid decline. Instead, the wealthy suburbs didn't pay taxes or invest any money into the city, and its funding drastically deteriorated. The authors provide examples of cities that annexed their wealthy suburbs and fared quite well as they weren't undermined by suburban competition.

What really struck me about this book is that the authors made it clear that design has an impact on behavior. The suburbs were originally designed around the car and for middle-class white Americans. It's no wonder that so many young Americans today are confused as to why they don't feel at home in a place that wasn't designed for them. If we can design cities around pedestrians and offer people more housing options beyond the suburbs, everyone could be much happier.

I appreciate that the authors didn't claim that all suburbs are bad. Instead, they even highlighted the things that the suburbs do right. If suburbs are designed to accommodate public transit and with the regional city plan in mind, they can support the urban city.

In addition, the authors emphasize that growth is inevitable, and rather than trying to stop suburban growth, we should focus on promoting healthy growth. It is largely the responsibility of the government to design better urban policies, but individual citizens also need to be involved in community planning to ensure their own security and well-being.

The concept of the regional city is also of great importance and is similar to that in another one of my favorite urban planning books, The Regional City by Peter Calthorpe. By working as a region, policymakers can ensure that adjacent cities are not competing with one another but rather cooperating in the development of more sustainable land-use patterns.

I believe one of the greatest tragedies of the American suburbs is how they have perpetuated the feeling of isolation. It is so easy to return to your McMansion after a long, tiring day of corporate work and be consumed by your own issues in your own small world. More than ever, American society craves a sense of community, and the authors offer the traditional neighborhood as a solution to this need. At its core, being a good urbanist means being a kind and thoughtful participant in society rather than retreating to the comfort of our own suburban home.

Here are some of my other favorite points made by the authors:

1. How the suburbs necessitate car dependency and how things like schools, grocery stores, etc., which should be close by, are still far away. How cul-de-sacs and curving roads do not create memorable places and further increase car dependency rather than walkability.

2. The key difference between suburbs and cities in terms of the public realm vs. the private realm - in the suburbs, your private realm is pristine, but the moment you step out of your house, you realize you're stuck in a neighborhood of houses that all look the same, and there's no escape except by driving away. How people below age 16 and the elderly cannot function in the suburbs without someone to drive them everywhere.

3. Affordable housing shouldn't look different from regular housing and should not be concentrated (like Pruitt-Igoe in St. Louis and other failed housing projects). Even the middle class is facing a housing crisis today as prices rise, and the only way to achieve the "American dream" is seen as moving to a slightly wealthier suburb with a bigger house.

4. The authors clearly link mixed-use housing and dense urban living to the environmental movement and urge readers to emphasize this connection and use the environmental movement as a model for change.

5. The issue of gentrification is still very complex, but it's important to note that some development is still better than no development in struggling neighborhoods. From the developers' perspective, it is generally more expensive to develop downtown than in greenfield (suburbs) areas due to challenges such as inappropriate zoning, higher land costs, inadequate infrastructure, environmental contamination, historic preservation limitations, complex regulatory frameworks, difficult permitting, neighborhood politics, higher taxes, etc. Until these disincentives are eliminated, the inner city will continue to underperform compared to the outer suburbs.

Below are some of the common-sense planning methods to create traditional neighborhoods:

- A neighborhood should be approximately a 5-minute walk from edge to center.

- Hilltops should be enhanced with civic buildings.

- The town center should feature mixed-use buildings.

- Lots should be zoned not by use but by building type. There should be no zoning for office parks vs. residential vs. shopping centers.

- Schools and other community centers should always be within walking distance.

- Shops in the town center should not have any setbacks.

- Residential streets should be narrow to calm traffic and make it easy to walk across.

- Curb radiuses should be minimized, and emergency vehicles should be of an appropriate size.

- Alleys are useful for hiding uglier utilities.

- Parking garages should always be located at the back of buildings and residential houses.

- Cities should develop master plans to guide and accelerate the permitting process.

Design has a profound impact on behavior as it compels us to look at and carefully consider our surroundings. It has the power to shape our perceptions and experiences.

This is precisely why I have such a deep love for certain sections of Brooklyn, namely Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, and Park Slope, among others. The design of these neighborhoods is truly captivating. The charming brownstones, tree-lined streets, and well-planned public spaces create an inviting and harmonious atmosphere.

In Boerum Hill, the unique architecture and the sense of community make it a special place. Cobble Hill, with its historic buildings and peaceful charm, exudes a certain elegance. And Park Slope, with its large parks and vibrant commercial areas, offers a perfect blend of nature and urban life.

The thoughtful design of these neighborhoods not only makes them aesthetically pleasing but also enhances the quality of life for their residents. It is this combination of beauty and functionality that makes me cherish these areas of Brooklyn so much.

Urban sprawl in America is a phenomenon that has captured the attention of many. It is a complex and multi-faceted issue that has significant implications for the environment, economy, and society.

A fascinating and comprehensive look at urban sprawl reveals the various factors that contribute to its growth. These include population growth, increased automobile use, and the desire for larger homes and more space.

The effects of urban sprawl are far-reaching. It can lead to the destruction of natural habitats, increased air and water pollution, and traffic congestion. It can also have a negative impact on the economy, as it requires significant investment in infrastructure and services.

Despite the challenges posed by urban sprawl, there are also opportunities for positive change. By promoting sustainable development and smart growth, we can create more livable and resilient cities. This requires a combination of policies and initiatives that encourage compact development, the use of public transportation, and the preservation of natural areas.

In conclusion, a perfectly definitive understanding of urban sprawl in America is essential for addressing the challenges and opportunities it presents. By working together, we can create a more sustainable and prosperous future for our cities and communities.

Overall, I liked the book alright.

The book has a broad scope that delves into the history of city growth in the last century. It explores the design features that contribute to sprawl and traffic, such as street geometry and the evolution of zoning. Political and financial issues are also covered, as well as the social aspects of city design. I believe the book does a commendable job of relating all these topics to the urban built environment.

However, the tone is a bit uneven, perhaps due to the multiple authors. This is most evident when the book examines the question of what power and authority the government should have. At times, it acknowledges that central fiat cannot create a healthy society. Later in the book, though, it seems to lament that property rights in America prevent cities from "buying" farmland at farmland prices, rezoning it, and selling it at a profit like German cities can. While Berlin's art budget may not justify stealing land, the book is rather uncritical of the justice of this practice, only highlighting the benefits of the well-planned city without considering the rights of the farmer.

The modern "master-planned" cities cited in the book come across as a bit cheesy to me. It would be interesting to see how these towns are faring today. In the end, there are many good ideas in the book that make it worth reading. However, these ideas should be tempered with more recent research and a more thorough consideration of the role of government in planning.

I think this was truly a case of preaching to the choir.

Although this book managed to offer more in-depth explanations and presented some examples that were previously unknown to me, I was already quite familiar with the concepts it covered.

The book also gave the impression of being a bit repetitive at times.

Finally, it should be noted that even the 10th anniversary edition is now ten years old, and this age is evident in certain aspects.

Sadly, it remains a relevant book as sprawl continues to wreak havoc on North America.

The issue of sprawl shows no sign of abating, and this book still holds valuable insights and information that can help us better understand and address this pressing problem.

Despite its age and some of its flaws, it is still a worthwhile read for anyone interested in urban planning, environmental issues, or the future of North America.

Perhaps a new edition could be updated to reflect the latest trends and developments in the field, but for now, this book serves as an important reminder of the need to take action to combat sprawl and protect our communities and natural environment.