Suburban Nation, by: Duany, Speck, Plater-Zyberk
Here is a new book that says growth can not be stopped and
the profit motive isn't our problem. The problem is with
planning (actually the lack of planning)
It is strongly opposed to: subdivisions
shopping centers
office parks
highways
The book describes all the problems caused by sprawl and then
describes how the city and country should work. It gives
examples of livable urban centers and rural surroundings.
They did a good job of proving "sprawl" has decreased the
quality of life and created serious problems. It has
disconnected people and is a large waste of resources.
They did not talk about eco-villages but came pretty close.
I agreed with most of their ideas but can't accept their
basic assumption that growth can not be stopped and that the
profit motive is not partially to blame for our problems.
Any absolute statements such as "profit isn't a problem"
raise a red flag in my mind because it discounts the
possibility of "balance". Seems most issues in this world
involves balance and our culture prefers dichotomies and
endless debate.
jeff (mucking the barn and mulching the garden today)
