Strong Towns


Book Description

A new way forward for sustainable quality of life in cities of all sizes Strong Towns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Build American Prosperity is a book of forward-thinking ideas that breaks with modern wisdom to present a new vision of urban development in the United States. Presenting the foundational ideas of the Strong Towns movement he co-founded, Charles Marohn explains why cities of all sizes continue to struggle to meet their basic needs, and reveals the new paradigm that can solve this longstanding problem. Inside, you’ll learn why inducing growth and development has been the conventional response to urban financial struggles—and why it just doesn’t work. New development and high-risk investing don’t generate enough wealth to support itself, and cities continue to struggle. Read this book to find out how cities large and small can focus on bottom-up investments to minimize risk and maximize their ability to strengthen the community financially and improve citizens’ quality of life. Develop in-depth knowledge of the underlying logic behind the “traditional” search for never-ending urban growth Learn practical solutions for ameliorating financial struggles through low-risk investment and a grassroots focus Gain insights and tools that can stop the vicious cycle of budget shortfalls and unexpected downturns Become a part of the Strong Towns revolution by shifting the focus away from top-down growth toward rebuilding American prosperity Strong Towns acknowledges that there is a problem with the American approach to growth and shows community leaders a new way forward. The Strong Towns response is a revolution in how we assemble the places we live.




Pedestrian Malls, Streetscapes, and Urban Spaces


Book Description

An analysis of the pedestrian malls built during the urban renewal period of the 60's and 70's, and of new urban open space designs. Explores the trend towards, and away from, full pedestrian malls, and analyzes newer project types, such as festival marketplaces and mixed-use urban spaces. Describes mall development processes such as feasibility analysis, planning and design. Also covers street furnishings ranging from paving, fountains and sculpture to lighting, canopies and seating. Offers updated coverage of new projects in New York, Tampa, Memphis, Louisville and Minneapolis. Also features over 250 photographs as well as detailed site plans of the projects covered.







Renewal Through Rest


Book Description

"Renewal Through Rest: Science of Recovery" is your comprehensive guide to understanding the crucial role of rest in maintaining optimal health and well-being. Based on the latest scientific research, this book examines how different types of rest impact various aspects of life. It delves into the science behind sleep stages, exploring how REM and non-REM sleep contribute to muscle recovery and physical rejuvenation. You'll learn about the benefits of micro-rests in high-stress professions and how they prevent fatigue and enhance productivity. The book also explores the neurobiological basis of emotional rest, detailing how it aids in recovery from burnout and improves empathy and relationships. With insights on cognitive overload and the importance of mental rest in the digital age, you'll discover practical strategies for managing technology use and preventing burnout. Additionally, "Renewal Through Rest" highlights the effects of sensory rest, offering solutions for mitigating noise pollution and incorporating nature into daily life for stress reduction. It also provides guidance on social rest for introverts and highly sensitive persons, as well as creative rest techniques for artists and innovators to overcome blocks and enhance creativity. By combining evidence-based research with practical advice, this book serves as a blueprint for integrating rest into your life, helping you achieve a healthier, more balanced, and fulfilled existence.










Urban Land and Property Markets in Germany


Book Description

Originally published in 1993, Urban Land and Property Markets in Germany describes the complex network of regulations and practices governing the operation of the German markets. The book outlines the constitutional structure and framework of the social, economic and geographical context in which the markets operate. The main sections of the book address the legal structures of property, planning, and tax, the registration procedures and transaction charges, market processes, who does what, and what professional titles or other actors in the process to look out for. The book also looks at the development of land and property markets, as one of the most intractable problems faced by post-communist regimes of eastern Europe.




Urban Environment


Book Description

Over half of the global population now lives in cities. This ongoing urbanisation is making it increasingly important to adequately manage urban systems and preserve urban environments. This book is the outcome of the 11th Urban Environment Symposium (UES) held on 16-19 September 2012 in Karlsruhe, Germany. The UES aims at providing a forum on the sciences and practices needed to promote a sustainable future in urban environments. Papers by leading experts are presented in sections on Urban Management and Spatial Planning, Green Cities and Urban Ecosystems, Urban Planning and Development, Air Quality and Noise, Urban Climate Change and Adaptation, and Contamination of Urban Waters and its Effects.




Geographies of Urban Sound


Book Description

Traffic, music, language and nature help to create unique soundscapes that are essential to the place-based character of each city. Taking into account both the urban soundscape and the impacts of sound on the urban dweller, this book examines sound not as a by-product of urban life, but as a fundamental part of the urban experience that is crucial to understanding the city ́s sense of place. Illustrated by case studies from Europe and North America, these range from on-site measurements to the construction of audio tours for local tourism, from media analysis of popular culture audio drama to sound-identity and city branding, and from the classification of noise in city planning to a consideration of the complex relationship between sacred sound and the creation of a sense of place. Taking a social geographic perspective, the book focuses on the effects of sounds on the individual and how they influence the ways s/he engages the city as place, especially in their daily routines. In doing so, it uncovers the socio-scientific potential of sound in the urban environment, based on the understanding that sound cannot and must not be seen as detached from the urban landscape, but rather as a constituting element. Sound exists not only ’within the city’: it ’is’ the city.