As the need to confront unplanned growth increases; planners; policymakers; and citizens are scrambling for practical tools and examples of successful and workable approaches. Growth management initiatives are underway in the U.S. at all levels; but many American "success stories" provide only one piece of the puzzle. To find examples of a holistic approach to dealing with sprawl; one must turn to models outside of the United States.In Green Urbanism; Timothy Beatley explains what planners and local officials in the United States can learn from the sustainable city movement in Europe. The book draws from the extensive European experience; examining the progress and policies of twenty-five of the most innovative cities in eleven European countries; which Beatley researched and observed in depth during a year-long stay in the Netherlands. Chapters examine: the sustainable cities movement in Europe examples and ideas of different housing and living options transit systems and policies for promoting transit use; increasing bicycle use; and minimizing the role of the automobile creative ways of incorporating greenness into cities ways of readjusting "urban metabolism" so that waste flows become circular programs to promote more sustainable forms of economic development sustainable building and sustainable design measures and features renewable energy initiatives and local efforts to promote solar energy ways of greening the many decisions of local government including ecological budgeting; green accounting; and other city management tools.Throughout; Beatley focuses on the key lessons from these cities -- including Vienna; Helsinki; Copenhagen; Stockholm; Zurich; Amsterdam; London; and Berlin -- and what their experience can teach us about effectively and creatively promoting sustainable development in the United States. Green Urbanism is the first full-length book to describe urban sustainability in European cities; and provides concrete examples and detailed discussions of innovative and practical sustainable planning ideas. It will be a useful reference and source of ideas for urban and regional planners; state and local officials; policymakers; students of planning and geography; and anyone concerned with how cities can become more livable.
#2454862 in eBooks 2012-09-10 2012-09-10File Name: B009P2YWYO
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Better than expectedBy Timothy R. AndersonThe earlier reviews are certainly mixed and after reading them. I didnt know what to expect but knew I wanted an Aperture 3 book and found a good price on a used version from . While it was used. it was almost in new condition - just a little wear on the cover but this will allow me to feel better about writing notes and highlighting things in the book. Nice margins for notes too.I agree with the reviews that the structure is awkward for sequential reading. For example. starting the book with chapter 1 dedicated to Raw and Raw editing followed in chapter 5 by "Adjusting Images" essentially results in a lot of duplication. While I understand that Raw editing is very important and a feature that Im using. it is still something that should probably after topics such as importing. organizing. and editing jpegs. At this point. people will have files on their system. organized in some form. and be ready to appreciate the significant advantages of raw over jpeg.The book seems at times like separate chapters without much self referencing material in other chapters which would help in finding the disparate materials.Also. many of the figures feel like they are a page or two too far (early or late) from where they are discussed in the book. Bringing up the subject of figures. the print quality is okay but not great. Many figures are too small to show user interface features desired and quite a few of the figures show subtle enough adjustments that are hard (impossible?) to appreciate given the print quality and size. At times providing circles to highlight the visual effects might be helpful.Having said that. this was better than I expected from the reviews and is a useful tool for me to get going on Aperture. As a new user of Aperture. switching over from 10 years of digital photography using PCs. I found this book very helpful. I dove into chapter 5 along with picking and skimming other chapters as appropriate. The index is okay and makes it useful as something of a reference. Apples Pro Training series book appeared to be more of a "lead by the nose" through specific examples rather than being a reference and much more expensive. I didnt really see myself working that way through the material so perhaps McMahons book was a better fit for me.In Aperture there are often multiple ways of doing things and multiple ways of thinking about things. This can make it much more difficult to write a book - I get the impression as I get more familiar. that it is hard to create something comprehensive enough without being overwhelming.There are many free tutorial videos available for Aperture 3 from Apple and elsewhere but it was quite helpful to have this as well. In the end. Im glad I got it despite the warts. Having said that. if it were priced close to Apples Pro Training book. I would have felt short-changed.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Obsolete softwareBy Jerry B.out of date. Not much use now since Apple dumped Aperture0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Difficult to followBy Rogelio G. MiroThis book is difficult to read the first time with no experience on Aperture. A reader with beginner. intermediate experience in Aperture 3 may have an easier time.It took time since I had to open the computer and look at the application screens so I can follow the text of the book since there are not enough pictures. I read a few chapters and decided to purchase a video "Apple Pro Video Training: Aperture 3."Now with a general expertise I may reread some of the book.
