Streets and the Shaping of Towns and Cities

by Michael Southworth, Eran Ben-Joseph

The topic of streets and street design is of compelling interest today as public officials, developers, and community activists seek to reshape urban patterns to achieve more sustainable forms of growth and development. Streets and the Shaping of Towns and Cities traces ideas about street design and layout back to the early industrial era in London suburbs and then on through their institutionalization in housing and transportation planning in the United States. It critiques the situation we are in and suggests some ways out that are less rigidly controlled, more flexible, and responsive to local conditions. Originally published in 1997, this edition includes a new introduction that addresses topics of current interest including revised standards from the Institute of Transportation Engineers; changes in city plans and development standards following New Urbanist, Smart Growth, and sustainability principles; traffic calming; and ecologically oriented street design.

Genres: Urban Planning, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published June 27, 1996

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book if you are curious about everyday street life in American residential neighborhods, why they are the way the are today - thanks to many years of civil and urban engineering. A very well organized and clear urban design history book. Not too much theory but good thorough background info on streets and their importance to the workings of a city/suburb.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read and enjoyable if you are into urban design and design standards.

[Olah Mohammed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for academic studies and tracing how streets developed and the forces that affected these changes.