Cities as Sustainable Ecosystems: Principles and Practices Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Cities as Sustainable Ecosystems: Principles and Practices? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Cities as Sustainable Ecosystems: Principles and Practices. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Cities as Sustainable Ecosystems: Principles and Practices ReviewThis book comes across as presenting in-depth information on creating sustainability within cities by utilizing a systems approach. Instead, what it is is a long restatement of "the Ten Melbourne Principles for Sustainable Cities", a set of principles developed at a conference held in Melbourne, Australia. All of the principles are covered in the introduction. The authors then rehash them in ten chapters incorporating a lot of naivete along the way.
One theme that keeps recurring in the book is the idea that indigenous cultures are more aware than other cultures of the importance of preserving the ecosystems on which they depend. This is a good example of "survivor bias". The authors pay attention to cultures that have survived, ignoring all the failed indigenous cultures. They are also making a misleading statement about these cultures by suggesting their practices were such that they would have continued on had they not been interrupted by Europeans.
The authors give some broad, non-science based introductions to topics like resilience, panarchy, and ecosystems, going so far as to misrepresent an ecosystem as some sort of smoothly running conflict-free process. Nature is cutthroat. It is unforgiving to elements that are causing problems. It is not the sort of place where the members are focused on "Fostering a sense of joy and belonging through rituals and celebrations following natural cycles" (p.47). Unless, of course, you see a bear taking down a moose then killing any animal that tries to interfere with his meal a joyful celebration.
On the bright side, I think this book provides a lot of introductory information and some good references on the topics it addresses.Cities as Sustainable Ecosystems: Principles and Practices Overview

Want to learn more information about Cities as Sustainable Ecosystems: Principles and Practices?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Seven Rules for Sustainable Communities: Design Strategies for the Post Carbon World Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Seven Rules for Sustainable Communities: Design Strategies for the Post Carbon World? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Seven Rules for Sustainable Communities: Design Strategies for the Post Carbon World. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Seven Rules for Sustainable Communities: Design Strategies for the Post Carbon World ReviewI was impressed by the straightforward way Patrick Condon presents his arguments. This is a book that is easily accessible to anyone - no need to be an expert in climate change, urban design, transportation or development issues. There is enough hard data and references to make a convincing case without overwhelming a reader not intimately familiar with the points presented.
I was pleased that the emphasis to transform urban structure was based on transportation systems - the streetcar and the interconnected road system. From personal experience working on large scale master planned projects I had become convinced of the need for effective, efficient public transit and road networks if truly sustainable communities are to be achieved so it is compelling to see an historical North American urban form (the streetcar city) analyzed and demonstrated as a solution to current and future issues. In combination Condon's proposal addresses greenhouse gas production, scarce land availability, affordable housing, diverse housing mix, neighbourhood employment, excessive VMT.
Imbedded in this approach are two essential points ' ease of transit access and continuous corridor development. Condon convincingly argues that the streetcar city works because it operates at human scale and provides what people want in close proximity ' the retail, commercial, entertainment and business base located along the transit corridors. While the 5 minute walk has been generally accepted for nodal based urban development approaches Condon demonstrates how continuous corridor development provides greater utility for this concept. It matches our basic physical capability, addresses our consumer and employment needs and provides convenience that supercedes private auto use.
Condon's proposal addresses the hierarchy of public to private spaces from the street to the private home identified by Jane Jacobs through a simple, pragmatic approach ' the historical Vancouver city block, lane and small lot land arrangement. The key characteristics of street oriented housing, lane based parking and multiple housing type possibilities is also shown to address the need for diverse, affordable housing that can support a range of family types and incomes.
Finally, Condon does a good job a presenting the value and critical importance of designing with respect to watershed function. As the effects of climate change increase this point cannot be overemphasized.
By providing a comparison to 50 years of urban change between 1950 and 2000 and the potential for equally significant but enhanced urban change by 2050 Condon offers a vision of an achievable sustainable future.
This book would be an excellent primer for government officials, staff, design professionals and concerned citizens who are struggling with finding a direction for city development that addresses the multiple, interrelated, complex issues we face. While it is primarily a design based approach it is clear that it has the flexibility and adaptive qualities necessary to complement, and integrate with, a robust community planning process. Real potential for community building exists in this approach - something that is a fundamental component of successful sustainable cities.Seven Rules for Sustainable Communities: Design Strategies for the Post Carbon World Overview

Want to learn more information about Seven Rules for Sustainable Communities: Design Strategies for the Post Carbon World?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Sustainability Management: Lessons from and for New York City, America, and the Planet Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Sustainability Management: Lessons from and for New York City, America, and the Planet? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Sustainability Management: Lessons from and for New York City, America, and the Planet. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Sustainability Management: Lessons from and for New York City, America, and the Planet ReviewThis is a good book to introduce a reader to the concepts of sustainability - it provides a comprehensive overview of all the big topics without getting into too much technical detail. You don't have to be an environmental engineer or LEED certified to understand what he is talking about. It's a quick read that will pique your interest in this field if you aren't already familiar with sustainability.Sustainability Management: Lessons from and for New York City, America, and the Planet Overview

Want to learn more information about Sustainability Management: Lessons from and for New York City, America, and the Planet?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Transport Revolutions: Moving People and Freight Without Oil Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Transport Revolutions: Moving People and Freight Without Oil? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Transport Revolutions: Moving People and Freight Without Oil. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Transport Revolutions: Moving People and Freight Without Oil ReviewThis book is very readable and on target, also fully footnoted. Informed by Peak Oil in addition to global warming, the academic authors prescribe a tonic of electric rail to head off our coming woes.
This means high speed rail between cities to replace many road trips and most short haul air travel, plus urban rail systems to get around in metropolitan areas. But it also includes electric trolley buses and electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles, including trucks. Reason: electric vehicles are not only efficient, but the electricity may come from a variety of renewable sources.
However they seem to have gone overboard in regard to "grid connected vehicles" when they prescribe Personal Rapid Transit. The problem here is that PRT is mostly just a concept, backed by highly questionable simulations and cost estimates. Experts who look at the fundamentals see costs that vastly outweigh the benefits, except in very limited circumstances, such as at Heathrow. And with big declines in air travel projected, even the airport application of PRT needs to be questioned.
But Gilbert and Perl are right on target when they say that the first order of business, whether in the US or China, is to stop digging ourselves deeper in the the fossil fuel hole. An example now gaining currency in the US would be "no new general purpose freeway lanes". Another is to stop all airport expansions.
Given the vast waste and luxury in US society, the US could certainly afford the $1 trillion cost that they project for the high speed train network. But finding the political will is another matter, as the costs of food and fuel skyrocket and credit bubbles burst and wars drain resources, leaving economic decline in their wake.
Nevertheless, we need more academics joining activists to tell the world that is is what needs to be done.
Transport Revolutions: Moving People and Freight Without Oil Overview

Want to learn more information about Transport Revolutions: Moving People and Freight Without Oil?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...