No comments about Conceptions of the Desirable: What Cities Ought to Know about the Future.

No comments about Sustainable Urban Development 4: Rethinking Professionalism in Europe (Sustainable Urban Development).

3 comments about Tomorrow's Cities, Tomorrow's Suburbs.

1. This book covers quite a few issues, including:
   
   *The (partial) revival of cities. By and large, most cities continued to fall further behind their suburbs in the 1990s. But there were a few exceptions to this rule, more than in earlier decades. And more recent Census data suggests that some cities actually began to do better than their suburbs (as measured by income growth) during the early 2000s.
   
   *The (partial) decline of American suburbia. Lucy and Phillips point out that whether one measures decline by population or by income, quite a few American suburbs now lag behind nearby cities. Among the suburbs of 11 population-losing major cities, 14% lost population at a faster rate than their host city. And even among suburbs of growing cities, 15% lost population. Similarly, most major cities have at least a few suburbs with 60% or less of metropolitan per capita income (the ratio between the city of Detroit and its region).
   
   *Which suburbs did poorly, and which did well? By and large, the oldest suburbs (built pre-1940) and the newest (built after 1990) did well. In six regions profiled, about half of pre-1940 and post-1990 suburban census tracts experienced income gains greater than those of the region as a whole. By contrast, only about 20% of suburban census tracts with disproportionate amounts of 1960s housing experienced such income gains. Among central city neighborhoods, the results were similar: the oldest and newest city census tracts did well, and middle-aged neighborhoods didn't. Lucy and Phillips suggest that the oldest neighborhoods benefit from walkability and the newest from new, larger houses- while 1960s neighborhoods are unwalkable and dominated by small houses, combining the worst of urban life and suburban sprawl.
   
   *Lucy and Phillips suggest that contrary to popular myth, cities are safer than outer suburbs. They reach this conclusion by combining traffic deaths and homicides by strangers. For example, Cleveland had 0.3 homicides by strangers per 10,000 residents and 0.8 traffic deaths, for a total "death by stranger" rate of 1.1 per 10,000. By contrast, exurban Geauga County had no murders but 1.5 traffic deaths per 10,000, for a "death by stranger" rate of 1.5 per 10,000; because exurbanites drive more, they die more. Here, Lucy and Phillips overstate their case, because many unsolved homicides may have in fact been committed by strangers, and many traffic accidents are the fault of the victim's own recklessness. If all homicides are combined with traffic deaths, cities generally appear more dangerous than most suburbs- but inner suburbs are still (as under Lucy's analysis) safer than either. For example, Cuyahoga County outside Cleveland has a "traffic fatality plus homicide" rate of only 0.6 per 10,000 - far lower than either the city or most of the region's other cities. Results are similar for other metro areas.



2. The authors describe the trends in the 20th century that at first favoured the city, and then, after World War 2, favoured the surrounding suburbs. In the US, this led in some regions to a decayed inner city, abut against a prosperous business district, while the suburbs boomed.
   
   The book has a strong statistical bent. Numerous tables that document such things as relative per capita income of suburbs. These are used to buttress observations in the text. Plus, the book also speculates on future trends. Like perhaps a re-favouring of the inner city urban regions? Or of old suburbs. In part motivated by a relative cheapness of housing in those areas, compared to well-to-do suburbs that might have priced themselves out of affordability for much of the workforce.



3. Haven't read it yet, part of a required planning course. Looks uptodate and very interesting.

No comments about Practice of Modernism: Modern Architects and Urban Transformation, 1954-1972.

1 comments about The City (Key Ideas in Geography).

1. This book does a good job of laying out the main perspectives in contemporary urban theory. A very good book for an "urbanist" to have as a synthesis to prevailing theories.

No comments about The Manhattan Transcripts: Theoretical Projects.

2 comments about Jerusalem Architecture.

1. David Kroyanker has written a scholarly survey of architecture for the 3000-some years of Jerusalem's history. Perhaps more importantly for most of its audience, it is also a beautiful album of 700 photographs and illustrations, perfect for perusal on an end table or display stand. Even for those residents and tourists who have ready access to the city's neighbourhoods and ancient monuments, its bird's-eye views and snapshots from inside some of its exclusive places of worship are refreshing and educational.

   This is not primarily a history book, although one will learn much of the history of various kingdoms who have conquered the city and contributed to its architecture. There is emphasis on the fascinating recycling of stones and decorations through the centuries.

   Jerusalem has a certain mythology to it, and this work will help to add reality to the imaginary status many have given to the Holy City. It is also not a book that champions any particular religious cause. It simply the facts. Toward this end, consider the introduction on the inside jacket: "Jerusalem, ancient city sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, is an architectural wonder with a history of building that extends over three thousand years. It is also a living, vital city -- the New Jerusalem, capital of a modern state...." These are the facts. One also cannot avoid the fact that the State of Israel is responsible for renovating and revitalisating its Old City districts, which were following into ruin until the 20th century. One should, in comparison, take a brief look at the editorial reviews on this page, and one will notice some peculiar editing being practiced. Notice anything missing?

   Finally, I would like to mention that it will be clear to the reader of this work that Jerusalem is NOT a "mecca", as entry is forbidden to noone based on race or religious affiliation. All are welcome in this city that is the centre of the world.




2. Jerusalem, the one city that is sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims is mecca for many. Not the least of its wonders is its building, which has occurred over 3,000 years.

   This coffee table volume beautifully presents both the historic old city and the bustling metropolis in a series of remarkable photographs, maps, and drawings.

   Beginning with the remains of the First Temple Period and continuing to Jerusalem's modern age that began in the 1850s, this unparalleled place is brought to vivid life.

   Especially in light of what is happening theree today this is a volume to be treasured.

No comments about Visualizing the Invisible: Towards an Urban Space (Spacelab Books).

No comments about Ian McHarg / Dwelling in Nature: Conversations with Students (Conversations With Students).

2 comments about A Concise Dictionary of Architectural Terms (Dover Books on Architecture).

1. A bit out of date (published 1875) but still a good resource for historic architectural element definitions.



2. I did not think it possible that there could be names for just about every oddment and article on a building, but there is! One of the great features of the english language really, anyone with an interest in architecture, either professional or general interest, will find this invaluable. Sorts your pommels from finules and your spers from struts.