Good Urbanism

by Nan Ellin

We have the knowledge, the tools, and the will to make good places. Yet, the actual delivery of these places remains challenging and all too rare. In Good Urbanism , Nan Ellin advances a basic strategy for clearing the path toward making good places consisting of six prospect, polish, propose, prototype, promote, and present. Anyone can walk this path, experts in the field of urbanism and others alike. The only pre-condition for stepping onto it is a willingness to go someplace new. Malcolm Gladwell demonstrated in The Tipping Point what it takes to bring about transformation in society and Ellin explains what it takes to positively transform our places. Illustrated by fifteen case studies, Good Urbanism sets forth a process for imagining best possibilities and realizing them, including advice for navigating potential blind spots and pot-holes along the way. It instructs, incites, and inspires us to add a few instruments to our planning, design, and community-building toolkits that will enhance the health and well-being of places, as well as the efficacy and relevance of the professions dedicated to that goal.

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012