Blatant Plug -- Don't Call It Sprawl
Copies of my book, Don't Call It Sprawl: Metropolitan Structure in the Twenty-First Century, arrived in my office today. While not technically part of the focus of this blog, I couldn't resist the opportunity to let people know that it's available.
There are two features of the book that will be especially interesting to readers of this blog. First, there are several Biblical references. Second, and more important, one recurring theme is the idea that humans should be humble in the face of situations that they can't completely predict or control. In this case, the issue is planning and designing urban areas. Many professionals (read planners and architects) do not have sufficient respect for the value of flexibility when designing structures that will last for decades. There's probably a deeper connection too, but I'll confess to being too excited about the book's arrival to have the patience to think it through.
There are two features of the book that will be especially interesting to readers of this blog. First, there are several Biblical references. Second, and more important, one recurring theme is the idea that humans should be humble in the face of situations that they can't completely predict or control. In this case, the issue is planning and designing urban areas. Many professionals (read planners and architects) do not have sufficient respect for the value of flexibility when designing structures that will last for decades. There's probably a deeper connection too, but I'll confess to being too excited about the book's arrival to have the patience to think it through.