The Embrace of Buildings: A Second Look at Walkable City Neighborhoods

by Lee Hardy

The Embrace of Buildings provides an overview of the key factors, topics, and issues in Anglo-American urbanism: the origins and development of the suburban ideal, the role of federal policies and spending priorities in shaping the built environment, the rise of the private automobile as the primary mode of transportation, the effects of functional zoning laws, the relation between the public realm and the quality of civic discourse, the influence of modernism on city planning, the impact of low-density development on public health, the connection between development and city budgets, the impact of urbanism on the environment, and the problem of gentrification. In a culture long enamored of the suburban ideal, Hardy invites his readers to reconsider the many advantages of living and working in walkable city neighborhoods--compact neighborhoods characterized by a fine network of pedestrian-friendly streets, mixed land uses, mixed housing types, and a full range of transit options. In addition, he investigates the role religion has played in defining American attitudes towards the city, and the difference church location makes in Christian ministry and mission.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cities

129 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2018

Reviews

[Melissa Swearingen · Rating 5 out of 5]

At 135 pages this short little book is a gem of concise essays on thinking about space layout, neighborhoods, the purpose of cities, life together, and making city spaces for people rather than buildings and parking lots just existing M-F. It’s also a heart-forward book as he shows the negative impact on the least able to adapt of making American cities car dependent. He also briefly addresses the role of American churches in the goal of bettering their local community.

This is a book I wish I could have written, he says so many things I’ve thought and wanted to share, but with years of observation and research behind him! Go out and read this book!!!!!

[Evan Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly Recommend. A must read for anyone interested in urban planning, especially if you have spent time in Grand Rapids, MI. Otherwise it is still a great book for anyone to learn more about how we came to have the system (housing, transportation, economic inequality, etc) that we have today. At the very least it is a great compendium of sources and information. I felt the chapters dealing only with the Christian perspective weren't necessary, but the author is from Calvin College so it makes sense.

[Noah Schumerth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to the urban spaces around us. This book is short, simple, and easy to digest for someone who hasn't put a ton of thought into how urban design, churches, and transportation are some of the crucial variables between the most humane spaces in the world and the least humane spaces in the world.

[Dale Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book for me, who only recently became aware of new urbanism. The Embrace of Buildings defines terms used by urbanists. It describes the many benefits of living in walkable cities, from health to social to spiritual. I recommend this book!

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great compact introduction to the topic, with helpful resources, including a companion website with imagery and links.

[elzinga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely little read, sharing a brief history of our urban planning and a vision for what could be

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm quite certain I talked about the ideas presented in this book with every single person I interacted with in the last few months. (I have gladly latched onto any related topic and have become a spokesperson for Lee Hardy and company.) This book is not radical; it's bringing to light a movement of efforts in urbanism that has been happening over the last 100 years. However, it felt radical and igniting to me, because it put words and frameworks to thoughts and feelings that have been rising up in me these last few years. These thoughts and feelings (about the pitfalls of sub-urbanism, today's excessive driving culture, the pros and cons of gentrification, the rarity of usable public transportation in America, etc. etc. etc.) were slowly developing in angst because, before this book, I thought "Is there anyone else out there who sees what I see?"

I was relieved to discover there have been and are many! people who have been "seeing" these things long before me. There are many people with many ideas about what can change to nourish, cherish, and cultivate flourishing within our urban areas and thus, bring life back to them. The city should be a place of life and health and multiculturalism and community and learning and action and culture and reasonable safety. After decades of (primarily white, middle/upperclass) Americans turning their faces to their suburban dead-end streets and three-car garages, let's turn our attentions back to the urban "heart.”

This book concisely introduces and philosophizes about different factors impacting urban life. It describes the modern movement of "new urbanism," and shares some history of how we've gotten to the place we are. I recommend the read to everyone who exists in today's North American society. ;)