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Current patterns of land use and development are at once socially, economically, and environmentally destructive. Sprawling low-density development literally devours natural landscapes while breeding a pervasive sense of social isolation and exacerbating a vast array of economic problems. As more and more counties begin to look more and more the same, hope for a different future may seem to be fading. But alternatives do exist. In The Ecology of Place, Timothy Beatley and Kristy Manning describe a world in which land is consumed sparingly, cities and towns are vibrant and green, local economies thrive, and citizens work together to create places of enduring value. They present a holistic and compelling approach to repairing and enhancing communities, introducing a vision of "sustainable places" that extends beyond traditional architecture and urban design to consider not just the physical layout of a development but the broad set of ways in which communities are organized and operate. Chapters examine:
The authors address a variety of policy and development issues that affect a community – from its economic base to its transit options to the ways in which its streets and public spaces are managed – and examine the wide range of programs, policies, and creative ideas that can be used to turn the vision of sustainable places into reality. The Ecology of Place is a timely resource for planners, economic development specialists, students, and citizen activists working toward establishing healthier and more sustainable patterns of growth and development. Reviews “This far-ranging, thoughtful,
well-researched book covers a lot of ground in more ways than one. Tim
Beatley and Kristy Manning share their vision of how to help cities
and towns become greener, more efficient, and attractive places.” “This well-researched
book puts it all together in a way that no one ever has. It’s an extremely
important contribution to our understanding of how to create more sustainable
communities.” “This path-breaking volume
on the ecology of place presents a persuasively argued new planning
agenda for the 21st century. A vital reading for anyone interested in
sustainable communities.” About the Authors Timothy Beatley is a professor in the Department of Urban and Environmental Planning at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. His books include Green Urbanism (Island Press, 2000), An Introduction to Coastal Zone Management (Island Press, 1994) and Habitat Conservation Planning (University of Texas Press, 1994). His new book An Introduction to Coastal Zone Management, Second Edition (Island Press, 2001) will be available in the fall of 2001. Kristy Manning is an independent writer and consultant based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
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