Saving Open Space


Book Description

This book is the first to tell the story of conservation by local government and private land trusts in California. It describes the remarkable extent to which communities have protected their landscapes and draws lessons for disseminating successful preservation strategies across the country. Using archival research, in-depth interviews with open space advocates in local government and private land trusts, and a telephone survey of over four thousand California residents, Daniel Press describes land preservation efforts pursued by California communities and explains why some have succeeded better than others. Saving Open Space concludes with policy recommendations based on lessons learned from the preservation success stories.




Conservation Design for Subdivisions


Book Description

In most communities, land use regulations are based on a limited model that allows for only one end result: the production of more and more suburbia, composed of endless subdivisions and shopping centers, that ultimately covers every bit of countryside with "improvements." Fortunately, sensible alternatives to this approach do exist, and methods of developing land while at the same time conserving natural areas are available. In Conservation Design for Subdivisions, Randall G. Arendt explores better ways of designing new residential developments than we have typically seen in our communities. He presents a practical handbook for residential developers, site designers, local officials, and landowners that explains how to implement new ideas about land-use planning and environmental protection. Abundantly illustrated with site plans (many of them in color), floor plans, photographs, and renditions of houses and landscapes, it describes a series of simple and straightforward techniques that allows for land-conserving development. The author proposes a step-by-step approach to conserving natural areas by rearranging density on each development parcel as it is being planned so that only half (or less) of the buildable land is turned into houselots and streets. Homes are built in a less land-consumptive manner that allows the balance of property to be permanently protected and added to an interconnected network of green spaces and green corridors. Included in the volume are model zoning and subdivision ordinance provisions that can help citizens and local officials implement these innovative design ideas.




Conservation Communities


Book Description

Practical how-to information for conservation-minded urban-planning professionals is provided in this invaluable guide. The importance of natural lands or open space in master-planned communities--either in the suburbs or on the edge of existing cities--is thoroughly explained and coupled with examples of conservation-oriented housing developments that incorporate this key component.




Open Space Technology


Book Description

A revised and updated edition of an acknowledged classic of the Organizational Development literature. Over 30,000 of first and second editions sold.




Saving Spaces


Book Description

Saving Spaces offers an historical overview of the struggle to conserve both individual parcels of land and entire landscapes from destruction in the United States. John Sprinkle, Jr. identifies the ways in which the identification, evaluation, and stewardship of selected buildings and landscapes reflect contemporary American cultural values. Detailed case studies bring the text to life, highlighting various conservation strategies and suggesting the opportunities, challenges, and consequences of each. Balancing close analyses with a broader introduction to some of the key issues of the field, Saving Spaces is ideal for students and instructors of historic preservation.




MetroGreen


Book Description

In metropolitan areas across the country, you can hear the laments over the loss of green space to new subdivisions and strip malls. But some city residents have taken unprecedented measures to protect their open land, and a growing movement seeks not only to preserve these lands but to link them in green corridors. Many land-use and urban planning professionals, along with landscape architects and environmental advocates, have joined in efforts to preserve natural areas. MetroGreen answers their call for a deeper exploration of the latest thinking and newest practices in this growing conservation field. In ten case studies of U.S. and Canadian cities paired for comparative analysis-Toronto and Chicago, Calgary and Denver, and Vancouver and Portland among them-Erickson looks closely at the motivations and objectives for connecting open spaces across metropolitan areas. She documents how open-space networks have been successfully created and protected, while also highlighting the critical human and ecological benefits of connectivity. MetroGreen's unique focus on several cities rather than a single urban area offers a perspective on the political, economic, cultural, and environmental conditions that affect open-space planning and the outcomes of its implementation.




The Open Space of Democracy


Book Description

Terry Tempest Williams presents a sharp-edged perspective on the ethics and politics of place, spiritual democracy, and the responsibilities of citizen engagement. By turns elegiac, inspiring, and passionate, The Open Space of Democracy offers a fresh perspective on the critical questions of our time.




Urban Parks and Open Space


Book Description

Describes how 15 derelict areas of the United States were developed into thriving new parks and offers advice to public agencies and private developers on how to go about revitalizing urban areas. The text includes information on financing techniques, design, management and programmming.




Regional Planning for Open Space


Book Description

Reviewing the limitations of various planning options, this book addresses the debate on how to preserve open space in the context of a growing metropolis. The importance of open spaces for well-being in urban life is well-established. With case studies on internalization and valuation methods, this book critically examines the liberal discourse that urges the transfer of responsibility for open space from government to the market. European and American expert authors confront political rhetoric with grounded analysis and conclude that the market needs to be combined with governmental efforts. They scrutinize the connection between open space and the planning institutions designed to implement its policy. The book provides practical pieces of insight in how to structure an open space problem, information on what to expect from instruments, and new ideas on alternative approaches.




Saving Spaces


Book Description

Saving Spaces offers an historical overview of the struggle to conserve both individual parcels of land and entire landscapes from destruction in the United States. John Sprinkle, Jr. identifies the ways in which the identification, evaluation, and stewardship of selected buildings and landscapes reflect contemporary American cultural values. Detailed case studies bring the text to life, highlighting various conservation strategies and suggesting the opportunities, challenges, and consequences of each. Balancing close analyses with a broader introduction to some of the key issues of the field, Saving Spaces is ideal for students and instructors of historic preservation.