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Curbing Traffic
by Melissa Bruntlett • 2021
Dutch cities prove removing cars heals loneliness, restores childhood, and makes everyone richer.
4.38
633
Curbing Traffic Summary
Curbing Traffic 91%
Dutch cities prove removing cars heals loneliness, restores childhood, and makes everyone richer.
by Melissa Bruntlett 2021
4.38
633 ratings
Tactical Urbanism
by Mike Lydon • 2014
How to hack your city with paint, planters, and pop-up parks, and prove change is possible now.
3.99
315
Tactical Urbanism Summary
Tactical Urbanism 91%
How to hack your city with paint, planters, and pop-up parks, and prove change is possible now.
by Mike Lydon 2014
3.99
315 ratings
Urban Acupuncture
by Jaime Lerner • 2003
Fast, precise interventions where a city hurts trigger chain reactions no master plan ever could.
3.66
490
Urban Acupuncture Summary
Urban Acupuncture 91%
Fast, precise interventions where a city hurts trigger chain reactions no master plan ever could.
by Jaime Lerner 2003
3.66
490 ratings
Streetfight
by Janette Sadik-Khan • 2016
Paint, data, and political nerve: beating the car-first status quo.
4.26
2k+
Streetfight Summary
Streetfight 91%
Paint, data, and political nerve: beating the car-first status quo.
by Janette Sadik-Khan 2016
4.26
2k+ ratings
No Impact Man
by Colin Beavan • 2009
90 gallons of trash in 4 days: a Manhattan family aims for zero, for a year.
3.78
5k+
No Impact Man Summary
No Impact Man 91%
90 gallons of trash in 4 days: a Manhattan family aims for zero, for a year.
by Colin Beavan 2009
3.78
5k+ ratings
Darwin Comes to Town
by Menno Schilthuizen • 2018
Evolution is unfolding faster on concrete than in any rainforest, right under your feet.
4.10
2k+
Darwin Comes to Town Summary
Darwin Comes to Town 91%
Evolution is unfolding faster on concrete than in any rainforest, right under your feet.
by Menno Schilthuizen 2018
4.10
2k+ ratings
Road to Nowhere
by Paris Marx • 2022
The tech-driven transportation future is a dead end. The real fix: fewer cars, better transit.
4.16
643
Road to Nowhere Summary
Road to Nowhere 91%
The tech-driven transportation future is a dead end. The real fix: fewer cars, better transit.
by Paris Marx 2022
4.16
643 ratings
Against the smart city
by Adam Greenfield • 2013
Smart cities sell efficiency but deliver surveillance. The real operating system is people.
3.96
132
Against the smart city Summary
Against the smart city 90%
Smart cities sell efficiency but deliver surveillance. The real operating system is people.
by Adam Greenfield 2013
3.96
132 ratings
The Option of Urbanism
by Christopher B. Leinberger • 2007
America's car suburbs were built by policy, not consumer choice. The market now wants the opposite.
3.89
185
The Option of Urbanism Summary
The Option of Urbanism 90%
America's car suburbs were built by policy, not consumer choice. The market now wants the opposite.
by Christopher B. Leinberger 2007
3.89
185 ratings
Walkable City
by Jeff Speck • 2012
America's downtowns died for parking. The rules for bringing them back, starting at the curb.
4.32
9k+
Walkable City Summary
Walkable City 90%
America's downtowns died for parking. The rules for bringing them back, starting at the curb.
by Jeff Speck 2012
4.32
9k+ ratings
Life After Cars
by Sarah Goodyear • 2025
The cost of car dependency is hidden in plain sight. What happens when we build for people instead?
4.26
1k+
Life After Cars Summary
Life After Cars 90%
The cost of car dependency is hidden in plain sight. What happens when we build for people instead?
by Sarah Goodyear 2025
4.26
1k+ ratings
Triumph of the City
by Edward L. Glaeser • 2011
Poverty flocks to cities because cities are the escape route. The economic case for density.
3.91
6k+
Triumph of the City Summary
Triumph of the City 90%
Poverty flocks to cities because cities are the escape route. The economic case for density.
by Edward L. Glaeser 2011
3.91
6k+ ratings
Happy City
by Charles Montgomery • 2012
Sprawl isolates and exhausts. The evidence for repairing cities around human connection and joy.
4.36
10k+
Happy City Summary
Happy City 90%
Sprawl isolates and exhausts. The evidence for repairing cities around human connection and joy.
by Charles Montgomery 2012
4.36
10k+ ratings
Smart Cities
by Anthony M. Townsend • 2013
Corporations are selling smart cities. A movement of civic hackers has a better blueprint.
3.61
817
Smart Cities Summary
Smart Cities 90%
Corporations are selling smart cities. A movement of civic hackers has a better blueprint.
by Anthony M. Townsend 2013
3.61
817 ratings
The Death and Life of Great American Cities
by Jane Jacobs • 1961
Slums with low crime and safe sidewalks: the invisible logic cities follow when planners look away.
4.29
20k+
The Death and Life of Great American Cities Summary
The Death and Life of Great American Cities 90%
Slums with low crime and safe sidewalks: the invisible logic cities follow when planners look away.
by Jane Jacobs 1961
4.29
20k+ ratings
Building and Dwelling
by Richard Sennett • 2018
A city is two things: physical form and lived experience. Ethical design puts the second first.
4.02
983
Building and Dwelling Summary
Building and Dwelling 90%
A city is two things: physical form and lived experience. Ethical design puts the second first.
by Richard Sennett 2018
4.02
983 ratings
Heroes of the Environment
by Harriet Rohmer • 2009
A teen cleans polluted water. A wrestler teaches recycling. Twelve environmental heroes in action.
3.95
147
Heroes of the Environment Summary
Heroes of the Environment 90%
A teen cleans polluted water. A wrestler teaches recycling. Twelve environmental heroes in action.
by Harriet Rohmer 2009
3.95
147 ratings
The Zero Waste Solution
by Paul Connett • 2013
A community roadmap out of landfills and incinerators, built on compost, repair, and local jobs.
3.92
78
The Zero Waste Solution Summary
The Zero Waste Solution 90%
A community roadmap out of landfills and incinerators, built on compost, repair, and local jobs.
by Paul Connett 2013
3.92
78 ratings
Drawdown
by Paul Hawken • 2017
100 existing solutions, modeled and ranked: the plan to reverse global warming is already here.
4.40
4k+
Drawdown Summary
Drawdown 90%
100 existing solutions, modeled and ranked: the plan to reverse global warming is already here.
by Paul Hawken 2017
4.40
4k+ ratings
Escaping the Housing Trap
by Charles L. Marohn Jr. • 2024
Housing can't be both affordable shelter and a good investment. That conflict is the trap.
4.37
503
Escaping the Housing Trap Summary
Escaping the Housing Trap 90%
Housing can't be both affordable shelter and a good investment. That conflict is the trap.
by Charles L. Marohn Jr. 2024
4.37
503 ratings
Capital City
by Samuel Stein • 2019
Gentrification is not a market outcome. It is policy, written by the real estate industry.
3.92
2k+
Capital City Summary
Capital City 90%
Gentrification is not a market outcome. It is policy, written by the real estate industry.
by Samuel Stein 2019
3.92
2k+ ratings
A Pattern Language
by Christopher W. Alexander • 1977
253 patterns for building, from city to doorknob, that let communities design places people love.
4.42
5k+
A Pattern Language Summary
A Pattern Language 90%
253 patterns for building, from city to doorknob, that let communities design places people love.
by Christopher W. Alexander 1977
4.42
5k+ ratings
Urban Gardening
by Will Cook • 2012
Your apartment can feed you. The guide to growing food in containers, from windowsill to rooftop.
3.49
180
Urban Gardening Summary
Urban Gardening 89%
Your apartment can feed you. The guide to growing food in containers, from windowsill to rooftop.
by Will Cook 2012
3.49
180 ratings
The Smart Enough City
by Ben Green • 2019
Smart cities dress up political problems as engineering ones. The fix is governance, not gadgets.
4.12
208
The Smart Enough City Summary
The Smart Enough City 89%
Smart cities dress up political problems as engineering ones. The fix is governance, not gadgets.
by Ben Green 2019
4.12
208 ratings
Radical Cities
by Justin McGuirk • 2014
The slums and squatter towers of Latin America are the world's most daring urban experiments.
4.27
434
Radical Cities Summary
Radical Cities 89%
The slums and squatter towers of Latin America are the world's most daring urban experiments.
by Justin McGuirk 2014
4.27
434 ratings
Palaces for the People
by Eric Klinenberg • 2018
Stronger than seawalls: the shared spaces that hold communities together when everything breaks.
3.97
5k+
Palaces for the People Summary
Palaces for the People 89%
Stronger than seawalls: the shared spaces that hold communities together when everything breaks.
by Eric Klinenberg 2018
3.97
5k+ ratings
The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces
by William H. Whyte • 1980
A decade of time-lapse footage on New York plazas upended every assumption about what draws a crowd.
4.33
927
The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces Summary
The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces 89%
A decade of time-lapse footage on New York plazas upended every assumption about what draws a crowd.
by William H. Whyte 1980
4.33
927 ratings
No. More. Plastic.
by Martin Dorey • 2018
Eight million tons hit the ocean each year. Here is what two minutes can do.
3.99
2k+
No. More. Plastic. Summary
No. More. Plastic. 89%
Eight million tons hit the ocean each year. Here is what two minutes can do.
by Martin Dorey 2018
3.99
2k+ ratings
The Story of Stuff
by Annie Leonard • 2010
A five-stage global machine grinds resources into toxic waste. The owners call it the economy.
4.08
4k+
The Story of Stuff Summary
The Story of Stuff 89%
A five-stage global machine grinds resources into toxic waste. The owners call it the economy.
by Annie Leonard 2010
4.08
4k+ ratings
Oil and Honey
by Bill McKibben • 2013
While he fought pipelines, his beekeeper friend built a different answer to a warming world.
3.90
1k+
Oil and Honey Summary
Oil and Honey 89%
While he fought pipelines, his beekeeper friend built a different answer to a warming world.
by Bill McKibben 2013
3.90
1k+ ratings
Blessed Unrest
by Paul Hawken • 2007
A vast, leaderless movement is quietly restoring both the earth and human dignity.
3.94
2k+
Blessed Unrest Summary
Blessed Unrest 89%
A vast, leaderless movement is quietly restoring both the earth and human dignity.
by Paul Hawken 2007
3.94
2k+ ratings
How Infrastructure Works
by Deb Chachra • 2023
The hidden networks you rely on were built for a climate that no longer exists.
3.64
937
How Infrastructure Works Summary
How Infrastructure Works 89%
The hidden networks you rely on were built for a climate that no longer exists.
by Deb Chachra 2023
3.64
937 ratings
The Just City
by Susan S. Fainstein • 2010
Stop asking if a city is growing. Start asking who it's growing for.
3.75
174
The Just City Summary
The Just City 89%
Stop asking if a city is growing. Start asking who it's growing for.
by Susan S. Fainstein 2010
3.75
174 ratings
Vital Little Plans
by Jane Jacobs • 2016
Top-down planning kills cities. The sidewalk sees what the drafting table never will.
4.21
186
Vital Little Plans Summary
Vital Little Plans 89%
Top-down planning kills cities. The sidewalk sees what the drafting table never will.
by Jane Jacobs 2016
4.21
186 ratings
How to Think Seriously About the Planet
by Roger Scruton • 2011
Why local loyalty, beauty, and tradition matter more for the planet than any global climate treaty.
3.87
446
How to Think Seriously About the Planet Summary
How to Think Seriously About the Planet 89%
Why local loyalty, beauty, and tradition matter more for the planet than any global climate treaty.
by Roger Scruton 2011
3.87
446 ratings
Places of the Heart
by Colin Ellard • 2010
How every space you enter, room, street, or screen, quietly rewires your brain.
3.58
680
Places of the Heart Summary
Places of the Heart 89%
How every space you enter, room, street, or screen, quietly rewires your brain.
by Colin Ellard 2010
3.58
680 ratings
Apocalypse Never
by Michael Shellenberger • 2020
The planet is getting better in the ways that matter. The alarmists got it backward.
4.16
6k+
Apocalypse Never Summary
Apocalypse Never 89%
The planet is getting better in the ways that matter. The alarmists got it backward.
by Michael Shellenberger 2020
4.16
6k+ ratings
Our Angry Earth
by Isaac Asimov • 1991
Asimov connected climate change, ozone loss, toxic waste, and soil erosion: four alarms, one fire.
3.71
126
Our Angry Earth Summary
Our Angry Earth 89%
Asimov connected climate change, ozone loss, toxic waste, and soil erosion: four alarms, one fire.
by Isaac Asimov 1991
3.71
126 ratings
The Green New Deal
by Jeremy Rifkin • 2019
The fossil-fuel economy is a bubble. Green tech will pop it by 2028.
3.68
812
The Green New Deal Summary
The Green New Deal 89%
The fossil-fuel economy is a bubble. Green tech will pop it by 2028.
by Jeremy Rifkin 2019
3.68
812 ratings
Planet on Fire
by Mathew Lawrence • 2021
Your carbon footprint is a distraction. The climate fight is about who owns the economy.
3.68
173
Planet on Fire Summary
Planet on Fire 89%
Your carbon footprint is a distraction. The climate fight is about who owns the economy.
by Mathew Lawrence 2021
3.68
173 ratings
Taking on the Plastics Crisis
by Hannah Testa • 2020
Less than ten percent of plastic gets recycled. One teenager's plan for what actually works.
3.90
629
Taking on the Plastics Crisis Summary
Taking on the Plastics Crisis 89%
Less than ten percent of plastic gets recycled. One teenager's plan for what actually works.
by Hannah Testa 2020
3.90
629 ratings
The Great Inversion and the Future of the American City
by Alan Ehrenhalt • 2012
American metros are inverting: affluence returns downtown, immigrants settle the suburbs.
3.77
678
The Great Inversion and the Future of the American City Summary
The Great Inversion and the Future of the American City 89%
American metros are inverting: affluence returns downtown, immigrants settle the suburbs.
by Alan Ehrenhalt 2012
3.77
678 ratings
How to Thrive in the Next Economy
by John Thackara • 2015
A design movement is ditching ‘less harm’ for an economy that restores soil, water, and community.
3.78
246
How to Thrive in the Next Economy Summary
How to Thrive in the Next Economy 89%
A design movement is ditching ‘less harm’ for an economy that restores soil, water, and community.
by John Thackara 2015
3.78
246 ratings
365 Ways To Change the World
by Michael Norton • 2005
An almanac of 365 everyday actions that shift corporations, communities, and cultures.
3.92
123
365 Ways To Change the World Summary
365 Ways To Change the World 89%
An almanac of 365 everyday actions that shift corporations, communities, and cultures.
by Michael Norton 2005
3.92
123 ratings
The World Without Us
by Alan Weisman • 2007
What happens to every city, every nuclear plant, and every plastic bag the moment humans disappear.
3.81
44k+
The World Without Us Summary
The World Without Us 89%
What happens to every city, every nuclear plant, and every plastic bag the moment humans disappear.
by Alan Weisman 2007
3.81
44k+ ratings
Flesh and Stone
by Richard Sennett • 1996
Why Western cities silence the body, and how the body fights back in stone.
4.28
541
Flesh and Stone Summary
Flesh and Stone 89%
Why Western cities silence the body, and how the body fights back in stone.
by Richard Sennett 1996
4.28
541 ratings
The Legacy
by David Suzuki • 2010
GDP counts car crashes as growth. An elder's vision for measuring what actually sustains us.
4.21
492
The Legacy Summary
The Legacy 89%
GDP counts car crashes as growth. An elder's vision for measuring what actually sustains us.
by David Suzuki 2010
4.21
492 ratings
The End of Nature
by Bill McKibben • 1989
Nature once stood apart from human affairs. We altered the atmosphere, and that separation fell.
3.94
3k+
The End of Nature Summary
The End of Nature 89%
Nature once stood apart from human affairs. We altered the atmosphere, and that separation fell.
by Bill McKibben 1989
3.94
3k+ ratings
The Green Collar Economy
by Van Jones • 2008
Climate change and inequality are twin crises, and they share a solution.
3.70
868
The Green Collar Economy Summary
The Green Collar Economy 89%
Climate change and inequality are twin crises, and they share a solution.
by Van Jones 2008
3.70
868 ratings
Nomad Century
by Gaia Vince • 2022
The tropics are becoming unlivable. A mass migration northward is an opportunity, not a crisis.
3.84
1k+
Nomad Century Summary
Nomad Century 89%
The tropics are becoming unlivable. A mass migration northward is an opportunity, not a crisis.
by Gaia Vince 2022
3.84
1k+ ratings
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