No comments about Garden History: Philosophy and Design 2000 BC - 2000 AD.

2 comments about The Next American Metropolis: Ecology, Community, and the American Dream.

1. The one point in favor of this book is that it promotes a much-needed land use concept: Plan and build near transit. The critical downfall of the book is that it perpetuates the auto-centric lifestyle. While Europe and Asia are beginning to perfect pedestrian districts around their transit stops, the best that we Americans can do is to simply build residential units with 2 parking spaces each near metro stops. Too much land (typically 40%) is wasted in providing for streets, alleys, driveways, and the large number of parking spaces for each vehicle.

   Such a design is still auto-centric if it makes automobile use the quickest and easiest way to shop at [a physical store] versus providing a pedestrian environment to walk 2 blocks to shop at a Mom & Pop store. Pedestrian environments with local grocery/pharmacy, schools, offices, day-care, sports fields, and other weekly needs are going to be able to eliminate 90% of automotive travel requirements. The other 10% can be easily provided through carsharing, a fast growing market in 21 North American cities now. Parking structures on the periphery of the district provides parking for carsharing and private automobiles (though the latter is retained by a modest percentage of households).

   A book that envisions the progression of cities to pedestrian/transit use is Carfree Cities, by J.H. Crawford. There are also many websites that describe the many carfree areas already in place in Europe and Asia, whose residents require very little in the way of imported oil.




2. This work is terrific if one is interested at all in the way in which cities could be developed. The ideas which Calthorpe presents are revolutionary and instrumental if one wishes to gain any sort of idea of the concepts and ideas proposed by "New Urbanism". His explanation of his Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is vital in understanding the difference between these developments and traditional versions. His use of specific examples makes the work that much better as it becomes more tangible and less simply theory. I would highly recomend this book to anyone involved in any sort of urban or city planning or simply interested in cities themselves.

2 comments about Climate Considerations in Building and Urban Design.

1. In "Climate Considerations in Building and Urban Design" based on the natural factors and environmental capacities, there are very useful techniques in terms of thermal comfort achievement and energy saving. Passive solar systems including greenhouse, solar chimney, thermal roofs and wall, with simple and clear explanation are presented in this book. This is recommended basic book and perfect reference for all students that they are studying in thermal comfort and passive solar systems in architecture.
   Finally for those that like to know how to use the natural possibilities to achieve thermal comfort in building, Givoni presents a clear reference with good figures and brief explanation.



2. ..that will complement Givoni's Passive Low Energy Cooling of Buildings; the MIT Solar Heat Technologies Series; Brown and DeKay's Sun, Wind & Light; Hyde and Woods' Climate Responsive Design; and Lechner's Heating, Cooling, Lighting on the sustainable design bookshelf. I rate the book four stars rather than five because of its less than careful editing: absolute temperature = F + 459.67 (no mention of Rankine, p. 113), absolute temperature = 492 + F (no reference to the freezing point of water, p. 112), 1" = 5 cm (p. 162-165), dt = finite temperature difference (p. 90), dT = finite temperature difference = "heat island intensity" (p. 281), superscripts written as multipliers (p. 281), to list just a few potential stumbling blocks for students.

3 comments about The Creative Destruction of Manhattan, 1900-1940 (Historical Studies of Urban America).

1. Max Page discusses how the notion of demolition has fit into New York public policy over the decades. The topics of the eight chapters are, after an introductory chapter: the work of the Fifth Avenue Association, a critique of Jacob Riis' views on slum clearance, the controversy over saving the old City Hall, the history of the Museum of the City of New York, policy regarding trees in parks and along streets, a critique of Stokes' multi-volume "Iconography" treatise, and the symbolism of the children's book, "The Little House." The book has over 70 illustrations, mostly period photos of streetscapes and key buildings.

   Parts of the book are fascinating, especially Page's critique of the writings of Jacob Riis, the 19th century Danish-American writer and reformer. But as the list above demonstrates, many of the topics of this book are simply too esoteric and remote to be of interest, even to a devoted enthusiast of New York history.




2. Dr. Page has created a dynamic, readable exploration of the history of design and construction in what is arguably the modern world's greatest city. His vivid descriptions and insightful analyses are complemented by a treasury of remarkable photographs and other illustrations. This extremely readable, intelligent book is an indispensible resource for anyone who claims to truly know the Big Apple.



3. I took two stories from Creative Destruction.

   As a native New Yorker, I found this book a wonderful and thorough analysis of major and minor events that changed New York. These events are not simplified; Max Page tells a story that includes the conflicts and interdependency of commerce, preservation, and progress.

   As a San Franciscan watching my newly-adopted city go through dramatic changes, I am given guidance and insight into the effects of such turbulence. Max Page helps me identify shortsighted actions as well as deal with inevitability. At the very least, I am more aware; at best, I am a better citizen.

   For ALL of us living in urban areas going through fast changes, Creative Destruction is great reading.

1 comments about Norman Foster: A Global Architecture (Universe Architecture Series).

1. Sir Norman Foster is one of the few architects who acts in what he believes. The book is a great collection of his amazing feats in architecture.

1 comments about Means Ada Compliance Pricing Guide: Cost Data for 75 Essential Projects.

1. I have tried to use this book several times over the years to estimate the cost of modifications, and I have found that the prices are way off, even with inflation adjustments. Some of the projects have ended up costing twice what was predicted in the book.
   However, the book does seem to do a pretty good job of laying out what is required for each type of modification, and includes references to the proper part of the ADAAG for details on the specifications for accessibility.

2 comments about If You Lived Here : The City in Art, Theory, and Social Activism : A Project by Martha Rosler (Discussions in Contemporary Culture , No 6).

1. This book is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in questions of urbanism and housing in advanced societies, from architecture to urban planning to homelessness.
   It is especially useful for the discussion of some of the ways that artists, architects, activists, and planners have responded to successive city and housing crises. It offers theoretical and historical documents but also art projects and transcripts of public forums.
   I found it very helpful in thinking about the issues and in suggesting ways to address similar questions.



2. Economically privlidged white males who edit books like this (i. e., Brian Wallis, who edits many such compiliations) need to recognize that it is Difference, not seperation from white male patriarchal paradigms, which constructs the most significant art work today. Somehow, white males always make it seem like it's about themselves....

No comments about Indefensible Space: The Architecture of the National Insecurity State.

1 comments about Urban Planning Today: A Harvard Design Magazine Reader (Harvard Design Magazine).

1. URBAN PLANNING TODAY is part magazine, part newsletter, and part book report on the latest problems and debates facing urban planning. Here various contributors provide articles on projects from different backgrounds and goals in urban and regional planning, juxtaposing development strategies and issues with criticism and legal notes. Any with an interest in successes, failures, and evolving perspectives will welcome this addition to a college-level collection strong in urban studies.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

No comments about Architecture and the Sciences: Exchanging Metaphors.