Urban Planning for Dummies

by Jordan Yin

How to create the world's new urban future With the majority of the world's population shifting to urban centres, urban planning―the practice of land-use and transportation planning to help shape cities structurally, economically, and socially―has become an increasingly vital profession. In Urban Planning For Dummies , readers will get a practical overview of this fascinating field, including studying community demographics, determining the best uses for land, planning economic and transportation development, and implementing plans. Following an introductory course on urban planning, this book is key reading for any urban planning student or anyone involved in urban development. With new studies conclusively demonstrating the dramatic impact of urban design on public psychological and physical health, the impact of the urban planner on a community is immense. And with a wide range of positions for urban planners in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors―including law firms, utility companies, and real estate development firms―having a fundamental understanding of urban planning is key to anyone even considering entry into this field. This book provides a useful introduction and lays the groundwork for serious study. For anyone interested in being in the vanguard of building, designing, and shaping tomorrow's sustainable city, Urban Planning For Dummies offers an informative, entirely accessible introduction on learning how.

Genres: Urban Planning, Urbanism, Nonfiction, Architecture, School

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Yates Buckley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a very basic overview of the world of Urban and Spatial Planning and does help contextualise the issues, however:
1. it is extremely US focused
2. there is very little note in relation to how ICT tools work with planning today
3. not enough on how statistical models and data affect this process

Too simple...

[Valentina]

I read this to get better at Cities: Skylines. Absolutely no regrets, it helped a lot, and made me much more aware of city planning decisions.

[Rachel Bayles · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book to read if you really want to understand what urban planners do.

[Bryan Richard]

This was a really interesting book. I had no idea as to just how much is involved in urban planning. Maybe it will make me appreciate it a bit more.

[Sebastian Ortega · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Planificación Urbana para Dummies” es intento para acercarnos a la teoría de la planificación desde diferentes puntos clave, que convierten esta especialidad en toda una fuente de conocimiento.

La forma cómo vivimos, nos organizamos y construimos impacta significativamente en nuestra calidad de hábitat, entendido este cómo el entrono, en donde confluyen elementos como el espacio público, el transporte, el trabajo y la vivienda. No obstante, el texto se queda corto en hacer ejercicios comparados fuera de Estados Unidos, lo cual hace que las condiciones analizadas no sean necesariamente las mismas en otras latitudes.

El autor parte de premisas que se encuentran rebatidas y, en consecuencia, de actualización.

[Robbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent Introductory Text

This was a decent introductory text on urban planning. Its basic and good for someone without any previous knowledge of urban planning or even cities to begin with. What I take from this book is how interrelated land use, transportation, housing etc really is and how vital sound research is in creating an appropriate urban plan.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent intro to urban planning. Solid layout, decent coverage, and more importantly many links for further exploration!

[Lord_Humungus · Rating 1 out of 5]

A lot of fluff. It almost didn't adressed any details. Too U.S.-centered. I have the same doubts I had at the beginning. I skimmed to the parts that interested me more.