Cities in the Wilderness: A New Vision of Land Use in America

by Bruce E. Babbitt

In this brilliant, gracefully written, and important new book, former Secretary of the Interior and Governor of Arizona Bruce Babbitt brings fresh thought--and fresh air--to questions of how we can build a future we want to live in. We've all experienced America's changing natural landscape as the integrity of our forests, seacoasts, and river valleys succumbs to strip malls, new roads, and subdivisions. Too often, we assume that when land is developed it is forever lost to the natural world--or hope that a patchwork of local conservation strategies can somehow hold up against further large-scale development. In Cities in the Wilderness , Bruce Babbitt makes the case for why we need a national vision of land use. We may have a space program, he points out, but here at home we don't have an open-space policy that can balance the needs for human settlement and community with those for preservation of the natural world upon which life depends. Yet such a balance, the author demonstrates, is as remarkably achievable as it is necessary. This is no call for developing a new federal bureaucracy; Babbitt shows instead how much can be--and has been--done by making thoughtful and beneficial use of laws and institutions already in place. A hallmark of the book is the author's ability to match imaginative vision with practical understanding. Babbitt draws on his extensive experience to take us behind the scenes negotiating the Florida Everglades restoration project, the largest ever authorized by Congress. In California, we discover how the Endangered Species Act, still one of the most effective laws governing land use, has been employed to restore regional habitat. In the Midwest, we see how new World Trade Organization regulations might be used to help restore Iowa's farmlands and rivers. As a key architect of many environmental success stories, Babbitt reveals how broad restoration projects have thrived through federal- state partnership and how their principles can be extended to other parts of the country. Whether writing of land use as reflected in the Gettysburg battlefield, the movie Chinatown, or in presidential political strategy, Babbitt gives us fresh insight. In this inspiring and informative book, Babbitt sets his lens to panoramic--and offers a vision of land use as grand as the country's natural heritage.

Genres: Environment, Politics, Nonfiction, Audiobook

256 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2005

Reviews

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great Book for people wanting to learn more about environmental policy at the Federal level. Very readable even though the topic is hard to get your hands around.

[Kaia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a natural resource policy class and found it very accessible. Babbitt vouches for a strong federal overview with cooperation between federal and local governments to implement land policy. He also argues for the consolidation of urban areas in order to preserve wildlife and open space, which is a birthright for every American. I definitely think there are other opinions out there on this subject, but having the perspective from a former Department of the Interior head is vital information in understanding policy.

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things I liked about this book -
1) I agree with Babbitt that land use and land planning should not be left for local municipalities to sort out on their own and that the federal government has a role.
2) This was easy to understand and unfortunately something we're still in need of 18 years later. I liked his vision and I think it's something that there aren't enough people invested in. We need to set aside natural land.

Things I didn't like -
1) He narrated the audiobook himself. It was rough. It wasn't the worst narrator I've heard, but it was in the bottom half.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful ideas and quite balanced . Great for threading line bw promoting economic growth and sensitive lands preservation

[Charles Bakos · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Marc Brackett · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had high hopes for this book but it turned into a manual for how to use3 the power of government to coerce others into doing what you want them to. No mention of conservation oriented groups that build relationships with other users and create lasting changes in public opinion that advance the greater good. The whole approach was heavy headed and the book was perhaps sadly accurate in giving an honest assessment of how matters were settled. The book also ignores a growing body of evidence that suggests the area outside of cities is an outdoor Disneyland, we are connected to the land in more ways than just filling our recreation needs.

[Clay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hopeful and realistic. Babbitt reveals his work, battles won and lost, as Secretary of Interior under Clinton. Really well written.

[Zachary Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd never heard of Bruce Babbitt before but he is a real visionary on issues of land use in the United States. I can only hope our current Secretary of the Interior is doing as much as he did.

[Margaret]

borrowed for GDP
looks really interesting. never read just quick skims
D. Paterson donated copy to UBC

[Philip Russo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating book about the earlier days of environmental protection in the US written by one the major influencers of that era.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good lessons learned

[Aaron Redman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting inside stories with some solid ideas though nothing transformative. Also not overly long.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting. My first foray into land conservation.