Seattle and the Roots of Urban Sustainability: Inventing Ecotopia

History of the Urban Environment

by Jeffrey Craig Sanders

Seattle, often called the ";Emerald City,"; did not achieve its green, clean, and sustainable environment easily. This thriving ecotopia is the byproduct of continuing efforts by residents, businesses, and civic leaders alike. In Seattle and the Roots of Urban Sustainability, Jeffrey Craig Sanders examines the rise of environmental activism in Seattle amidst the ";urban crisis"; of the 1960s and its aftermath. Like much activism during this period, the environmental movement began at the grassroots level€”in local neighborhoods over local issues. Sanders links the rise of local environmentalism to larger movements for economic, racial, and gender equality and to a counterculture that changed the social and political landscape. He examines emblematic battles that erupted over the planned demolition of Pike Place Market, a local landmark, and environmental organizing in the Central District during the War on Poverty. Sanders also relates

Genres: Environment

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super interesting book for those looking into the relationship between activism, urban planning and sustainability.
Seattle, arguably the heart of sustainable consciousness in the USA, is the perfect location for the study of the effects of government programs such as city beautiful and the struggles for public space in the face of privatisation(public market space and native land retention amongst others). It documents an acutely conscious community which, early in the game, was aware of and vocal about their loss of community-enabling public space and their estrangement from natural spaces/places.
It is an historical account, so best for those doing research.