Design First

by David Walters, Linda Brown

Well-grounded in the history and theory of Anglo-American urbanism, this illustrated textbook sets out objectives, policies and design principles for planning new communities and redeveloping existing urban neighborhoods. Drawing from their extensive experience, the authors explain how better plans (and consequently better places) can be created by applying the three-dimensional principles of urban design and physical place-making to planning problems.

Design First uses case studies from the authors’ own professional projects to demonstrate how theory can be turned into effective practice, using concepts of traditional urban form to resolve contemporary planning and design issues in American communities.

The book is aimed at architects, planners, developers, planning commissioners, elected officials and citizens -- and, importantly, students of architecture and planning -- with the objective of reintegrating three-dimensional design firmly back into planning practice.

289 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

Reviews

[R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved how the writers took us through the history of how the United States ended up in the situation it is with out of control suburban sprawl, weak land use controls lacking in overall cooperation, and poor public transportation and other infrastructure.

This book was heavy on the theory of urban planning and light on practice which is perfect for me and my role, as well as those that might be new to the field.

[Lani · Rating 3 out of 5]

more on industrial urban planning design rather than technology-enabled design.