ebooks Energy from the Biomass by W. Palz in Arts-Photography

Review

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A good buyBy Anna PapadopoulouThis compilation of unique urban projects is an excellent addition to any urbanists library. Its cross-disciplinary approach is appropriate and contemporary.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Brilliant Ideas for Sustainable Urban DesignBy Kindle CustomerGood Urbanism is a very interesting book to read; even for a lay reader. While the subject is outside of the professional expertise of most of us; the author was able to share much of her holistic knowledge and brilliant ideas with a larger audience. This makes the book unique since most books published in the areas of architecture and design tend to be highly technical and therefore rather inaccessible for the interested lay reader.The author; Professor of Urbanism at University of Utah; presents in her book a number of key concepts she and her professional colleagues have developed for progressive; eco-friendly; sustainable and ultimately prosperous urban design.In chapter 2 of the book; entitled `Urban Desiderata; the author presents the `6 Steps to Creating Prosperous Places; which are:1) Prospect2) Polish3) Propose4) Prototype5) Promote6) PresentBefore I will explain more in detail what this means and how this approach works in practice; I would like to let the author speak for herself; as she summarized this step-by-step process very well in the Conclusion of the book:--Good urbanism follows the Path toward Prosperity by taking six steps: prospect; polish; propose; prototype; promote; and present. It engages in / urban acupuncture by removing blockages in `urban meridians; thereby liberating the life force of a city and bringing urban and economic revitalization. Good urbanism thus restores connections that have been severed over the past century between body and soul; between people and nature; and among people. The strength and resilience of relationships and communities rely on trust; but trust eroded in the urban fragmentation of the second half of the twentieth century; allowing an `architecture of fear to occupy the void. Good urbanism fosters community by cultivating relationships through a process that engages and builds mutually supportive networks of people. The trust on which relationships an communities rely ensues. /124-125The book clearly conveys a set of eco-friendly and systems-conform values that require most readers to upgrade their ecological and systemic literacy to a quite demanding standard. The author brings in various wisdom traditions from outside our Western system of reference; such as life-wisdom from Taoism or knowledge about Feng Shui; as well as a solid knowledge-base of newer Western ideas around ecoliteracy and systems theory. She writes; for example:--The Taoist tradition; hailing from fifth century BCE China; maintains that awareness and trust of our own inner nature allows us to be our best and avoid manipulation by others. These and other wisdom traditions exhort us to honor this rich source of authenticity and creativity. /12The stress in the entire book is upon a combination of functional design; aesthetic appeal; sustainability; and the enhancement of communal life for bringing about prosperity and peaceful togetherness. In fact; sustainability can easily be made out as the overarching value; and the tone was set right at the beginning of the book:--For most of human history; we built habitats that supported us more than they challenged us. As industrialization began shifting the scale and logic of urbanization; however; we veered off course and became the only species to build habitats that are not sustainable. Over the last several decades; we have been making concerted efforts to get back on course and construct places that support humanity more optimally; places that sustain us rather than strain us. /1How can this goal be met in practice? The author explains that the key to good urbanism is what she calls the `connective tissue: infrastructure; public space; and community engagement. She continues:--Whether retrofitted or new; for practical purposes or pleasure; infrastructure is integrated with public spaces and both are multipurpose; technologically advanced; attractive; and harmonious with natural and cultural settings. /2The general approach of the author is one that is highly critical toward the former mechanistic approach to urban design in the form of rigorous `planning without bringing in the concerned communities; and without integrating a design structure into the existing habitat from an eco-friendly and sustainable perspective. She coined this systemic development of urban design wittily `From Egosystem to Ecosystem; title of Chapter Four of the book.The book is full of original ideas and comparisons. To give one example; the author mentions restorative justice; as a good positive example of how good urbanism works with others rather than to or for others. /39Another stress is laid upon healing wounds `inflicted upon the landscape by the modern and postmodern eras. The vision of the author is that good urbanism integrates functions that formerly were separated; such as living; working; creating; and recreating. Further; she explains:--To achieve this integration; good urbanism demonstrates the five qualities of `integral urbanism: hybridity; connectivity; porosity; authenticity; and vulnerability. /57I have been immensely enriched by this well-written book and recommend it to all those who are looking for not just another tool box for architecture and design but those (others) who are looking for a systemic and sustainable approach to urban design; and design of commercial and public spaces. We are all concerned for contributing to this great and noble cause; and the authors approach expressly invites our contributions!0 of 2 people found the following review helpful. InspiringBy Enrique PerezI recomend a lot this book for all this people who wants to improve their cities. For those people who want to live inneighborhods with higher levels of walkability and bikeability; this book present a good form to motivate people towant it too. Change mindas; and make reality amaizing projects involving the people who lives in that places; architects; urbanist; and politicis!!