1 comments about Talking Cities: The Micropolitics of Urban Space / Die Mikropolitik des urbanen Raums.

1. Written in German and English, the book is a glossy exhibition of urban architecture throughout the world. Not all the photos are of beautiful, sparkling buildings. One shows some kids riding mountain bikes over an old rubbish dump in a European city.
   
   Other photos are of Desert Cities in Egypt. Commissioned by Sadat, these are high rises of flats. Each some 10 stories or so. The extreme population pressures along the Nile has given rise, of necessity, to some very bleak images. The snapshots of the cities show concrete buildings surrounded by desert sands, with very little vegetation to relieve the stark monotony.
   
   Some of the so-called "Risky Buildings" of Britain are shown. Some architects claim unappreciated merits to these buildings, to try to ensure their preservation. The photos of the buildings may lead some readers to agree. But some buildings do seem deserving of take down.

No comments about 30 60 90 09: Regarding Public Space.

1 comments about Planning for a New Generation of Public Library Buildings (The Greenwood Library Management Collection).

1. Written by an experienced library consultant, this work covers all aspects of planning, designing and building a new public library - from the decision to do something to furnishing the new building. McCabe details each phase of the process, starting with hiring a qualified library consultant; selecting an experienced architect; and choosing and evaluating a site for the library building. He also explores issues related to preparing the library building program; planning specific spaces in the library; choosing furnishings and equipment that meet both design elements and functional needs; and selecting specific architectural building components.

   The author is widely read in both library and architectural literature and includes many helpful notes and references in each chapter, providing the reader with a wide variety of additional sources to consult. The book also includes an annotated bibliography and numerous useful checklists.

   While I felt the work should have included more specific information and recommendations for incorporating technology in new library buildings, I believe it is nonetheless a valuable overview for librarians and others involved in the library building process. Written in a concise, straightforward manner, it contains a wealth of practical advice for those involved in the complex process of planning and building a new public library.

No comments about Memory and Transformation.

No comments about Blueprint for Disaster: The Unraveling of Chicago Public Housing (Historical Studies of Urban America).

1 comments about The Fractured Metropolis: Improving The New City, Restoring The Old City, Reshaping The Region.

1. Barnett wrote the one book that seems to summarize all that I have read about contemporary urban planning issues. A hot topic everywhere- but especially in the Sunbelt- this book shows us all where we can go from here.

   Lots of good examples and illustrations. Excellent suggestions for further reading in the back if you are interested. This is more than a psalm of New Urbanism.

No comments about Sensing the 21st Century City: The Net City Close-up and Remote (Architectural Design).

No comments about Urban Projects Manual.

No comments about Projecting Beirut: Episodes in the Construction and Reconstruction of a Modern City (Architecture).

3 comments about New York: City of Islands.

1. This book is excellent!
   
   The introductory essay brilliantly connects the history of the city, the multiculturalism of the city, the reality of the city in a way that is warm and insightful. It smoothly flows from the actions of yesteryear that have lead to the great metropolis of today, all while maintaining an emphasis on the human side of the story. Its a great literary preparation for the visual feast your eyes will experience as it glances, absorbs, and inspects photos in the latter parts of the book.
   
   The images themselvess are fantastic. The book is divided into six chapters: City of Islands (which is the well written introduction), Passage (random images of the city), Retreat (images of green areas, parks, and gardens), Connection (images of bridges and roadways), Structure (images of facades and interiors of a few important buildings), and Edge (images of places along the outer edge of the city such as Staten Island, Rockaway Beach, and Coney Island among other places). There is a certain human element through out the book. One of the nicest element is that the author places emphasis on showing pieces of all New York boroughs and avoids the Manhattan bias typical of other books about this city.
   
   All in all, the book shows New York City as it is, a great multicultural metropolis worth saving!



2. I bought this book back in 1999. I am a New Yorker and I wanted a book that showcased all of my wonderful city. I never, in my wildest dreams, thought that I would have to look at this book in order to ever see the World Trade Center again. After the attack on New York City on Sept.11, 2001, my whole world as I knew it changed forever. This wonderful, beautiful book is my only reminder of the New York City that I have known and loved all my life. I know the Twin Towers will rise again! Until then I have my book!



3. I bought the book based on the coverphoto. Regarding that I in fact wanted a book on New York, I cannot say I regret it. The book is fully illustrated with beautiful photographs of New Yorks five boroughs. Though I`ve been to New York five times before I`ve only been to Manhattan and Queens, but I surely was tempted to see all five boroughs when I go back during fall -99. The photographs has a soul in a way and all represent a motion or a mood that I catched right away. I could actually feel the smells the sounds and the dynamic pulse New York stands for. Pete Hamill's text as an introduction to each borough gives the reader a fully good and poetic insight in New Yorks majestic soul.