The Compact City : A Sustainable Urban Form?

ISBN-13: 9780419213000 / Angielski / Miękka / 1996 / 360 str.

Mike Jenks; Katie Williams; Elizabeth Burton

Opis

There is a widespread consensus that progress towards sustainable development is essential. Human activity cannot continue to use resources at the present rate without jeopardizing opportunities for future generations. Cities are the main arena of human activity, but they are also the greatest consumers of natural resources. However, urban sustainability is not just about environmental concerns, it is also about economic viability, liveability and social equity. Recently, much attention has focused on the relationship between urban form and sustainability, the suggestion being that the shape and density of cities can have implications for their future. From this debate, strong arguments are emerging that the compact city is the most sustainable urban form. This text presents the latest thinking on the benefits and dangers of higher density urban living. It offers diverse opinions and research, from a wide range of disciplines, and gives an insight into both the theoretical debate and the practical challenges surrounding the compact city. It is aimed at anyone with an interest in sustainable urban development: architects; planners; surveyors; urban designers; geographers.

Recenzje

'A useful source of theories on sustainable urban development in the developed world' - Building

'It represents the most consistent attempt that I have encountered in a long time to rigorously analyse and codify the city - to make it understandable, for instance, in the way that Modernist city planning had rendered it.' - The Architect's Journal

'Presents the latest thinking on the benefits and dangers of higher density urban living.' - Plan

'This collection is a valuable antidote to the trend to offer simplistic solutions to complex problems.' - The Architectural Review

'Scholarly and well edited...It will also be used as a whole or in parts as required reading for tertiary coursework in schools of planning, architecture, and urban designThe Compact City is a significant contribution to achieving sustainable urban forms. It is also an excellent introduction to the complexities faced by the planning profession in a world seeking sustainable solutions to human settlements, and the role which can be played by urban design' - Urban Design International

'An exiting collection of critical reviews on the effects of the compact city policy...well written...will give the reader a worthwhile opportunity to grasp a major part of the picture.' - Town Planning Review

'The Compact City is a breath of fresh air, a rich compendium of readings.' - Hugh Barton, Environment and Planning B

'The articles that Jenks, Burton and Williams have brought together has become an exciting collection of critical reviews on the effects of the compact city policy ... The Compact City is interesting to read and gives the reader ... a worthwhile opportunity to grasp a major part of the picture'. - Gert de Roo, Town Planning Review

'The Compact City provides and excellent introduction to the complexities and opportunities of the urban designers task.' - Urban Affairs and Planning, Australia

'The Compact City is a significant contribution to achieving sustainable form. It is also an excellent introduction to the complexities faced by the planning profession in a world seeking sustainable solution to human settlements, and the role which can be played by urban design.' - Lorraine Cairnes, Urban Affairs and Planning, Australia

Spis treści

Part One: Compact city theory. The compact city debate. Claims and counter-claims addressing implications for environmental, economic and social sustainability. Part Two: Environment and resources. Research associated with environment, sustainability and urban form, including transport, energy, pollution and urban ecology. Part Three: Economic and social issues. Economic and market feasibility of the compact city. Social acceptability. Part Four: Measuring and monitoring. Research on quantification. Predictions of future development. Impact assessment and quantification. Urban capacity studies and urban modelling. Part Five: Implementation. Examples of achieving sustainable urban form and good practice - including policy and implementation, design and urban management. Index.

O autorze

Mike Jenks, Elizabeth Burton, Katie Williams