Welcome to the Handbook
Public Markets: The Seeds of a New Economy
Description:Key ways that public markets can teach us how to create more fair, competitive, and creative economies and food systems: engagement, or their interactive and human-scale nature; order, or their commitment to rooting out fraud; and democracy, or their role as inclusive civic infrastructure.
Author:None
The Public Humanities Turn: The University as an Instrument of Cultural Transformation
Description:Humanities have the potential to transform human culture―and an obligation to preserve it.
Author:Philip Lewis
Publication Year:2024
Tactical Urbanism: Short-Term Action for Long-Term Change
Description:Tactical Urbanism is a dynamic approach to initiating and advancing long-term projects related to street safety and public spaces. Originating as a grassroots strategy for citizens to reclaim their streets, it has evolved into a recognized project delivery process used globally. The methodology involves implementing low-cost, short-term "pilot" projects to test infrastructure, accelerate public benefits, and support community initiatives. Street Plans, a leading urban planning and design firm, plays a crucial role in this movement. They travel worldwide, aiding cities and communities in realizing their visions for placemaking and Tactical Urbanism. Through initiatives like the Miami-Dade Transportation Quick-Build Program, they collaborate with local departments and nonprofits to implement diverse projects, fostering community engagement and empowering people to shape their built environment.
Author:Dana Wall
Publication Year:2019
Recommended By:Rachelle Beauplan
Description:The first person in the Anglophone world to write an extended analysis of Henri Lefebvre, including comparing his work to traditional urban geography and sociology as well as the Marxist Manuel Castells.
Description:Henri Lefebvre was a French Marxist philosopher and sociologist, best known for pioneering the critique of everyday life, for introducing the concepts of the right to the city and the production of social space, and for his work on dialectical materialism and alienation.
Description:An urban planner and founder of 8 80 Cities, Penalosa believes that cities should be designed for both an 8-year-old and an 80-year-old to ensure accessibility for all ages. He promotes public spaces, pedestrian-friendly streets, and green infrastructure.
Description:A concept that integrates fun, play, and interaction into everyday urban spaces. It reimagines cities as environments that encourage spontaneous play, creativity, and social engagement for people of all ages. Unlike traditional urban design, which often prioritizes efficiency and functionality, Playable Cities focus on joyful, unexpected experiences in public spaces.
Description:Sustainability refers to the ability to meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves balancing environmental, social, and economic factors to ensure long-term health, resilience, and well-being for both people and the planet. Key principles of sustainability include: Environmental Sustainability: Protecting natural resources, reducing pollution, and maintaining biodiversity. Using renewable resources, promoting energy efficiency, and minimizing waste and carbon footprints. Social Sustainability: Promoting social equity, inclusion, and community well-being. Ensuring access to basic needs like education, healthcare, and housing while fostering social cohesion and cultural diversity. Economic Sustainability: Supporting economic growth while ensuring that it is equitable, stable, and resilient. Encouraging practices that support long-term economic prosperity without depleting resources or causing harm to people or the environment. In essence, sustainability is about creating systems, practices, and lifestyles that are resilient, regenerative, and mindful of both human and ecological needs, ensuring a balanced and healthy future for all.
Description:Encouraging diverse land uses (residential, commercial, recreational) to create dynamic, 24/7 active spaces.