Available:*
Library | Item Barcode | Call Number | Material Type | Item Category 1 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Searching... | 30000010132662 | HT167 B42 1997 | Open Access Book | Book | Searching... |
Searching... | 30000010132663 | HT167 B42 1997 | Open Access Book | Book | Searching... |
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Summary
Summary
Current patterns of land use and development are at once socially, economically, and environmentally destructive. Sprawling low-density development literally devours natural landscapes while breeding a pervasive sense of social isolation and exacerbating a vast array of economic problems. As more and more counties begin to look more and more the same, hope for a different future may seem to be fading. But alternatives do exist.
The Ecology of Place , Timothy Beatley and Kristy Manning describe a world in which land is consumed sparingly, cities and towns are vibrant and green, local economies thrive, and citizens work together to create places of eduring value. They present a holistic and compelling approach to repairing and enhancing communities, introducing a vision of "sustainable places" that extends beyond traditional architecture and urban design to consider not just the physical layout of a development but the broad set of ways in which communities are organized and operate. Chapters examine:
the history and context of current land use problems, along with the concept of "sustainable places" the ecology of place and ecological policies and actions local and regional economic development links between land-use and community planning and civic involvement specific recommendations to help move toward sustainabilityThe authors address a variety of policy and development issues that affect a community -- from its economic base to its transit options to the ways in which its streets and public spaces are managed -- and examine the wide range of programs, policies, and creative ideas that can be used to turn the vision of sustainable places into reality.
The Ecology of Place is a timely resource for planners, economic development specialists, students, and citizen activists working toward establishing healthier and more sustainable patterns of growth and development.
Author Notes
Timothy Beatley is a professor in the Department of Urban and Environmental Planning at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. His books include Green Urbanism (Island Press, 2000), An Introduction to Coastal Zone Management (Island Press, 1994) and Habitat Conservation Planning (University of Texas Press, 1994).
Kristy Manning was an independent writer and consultant based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Reviews 1
Choice Review
Beatley and Manning offer an approach to improving communities, upgrading them into "sustainable places" that rise above traditional architectural and urban design principles. In addition to the physical layout of residential developments the authors argue that consideration must also be given to "the broad set of ways in which communities are organized and operate." Their vision is dependent on changed social, economic, and political attitudes in which land is used sparingly, "green" urban centers interact harmoniously with their environment, and the local citizenry actively work together to create places of lasting value. The book is divided into seven chapters that efficiently cover the basic aspects of the subject, and the presentation is carefully linked to the literature in this emerging area of planning theory, especially the "new urbanism" movement. Black-and-white photos enhance the presentation, but the book is undermined by the limited number of diagrams and maps. General readers; graduate students and faculty. P. O. Muller; University of Miami
