Urban forests; trees and greenspace are critical in contemporary planning and development of the city. Their study is not only a question of the growth and conservation of green spaces; but also has social; cultural and psychological dimensions. This book brings a perspective of political ecology to the complexities of urban trees and forests through three themes: human agency in urban forests and greenspace; arboreal and greenspace agency in the urban landscape; and actions and interventions in the urban forest. Contributors include leading authorities from North America and Europe from a range of disciplines; including forestry; ecology; geography; landscape design; municipal planning; environmental policy and environmental history.
#3808526 in eBooks 2014-07-22 2014-07-22File Name: B00M6ALD9O
Review
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Getting to "the other side of complexity"By Robert MorrisAlmost immediately after I began to read this book; I was reminded of two quotations; the first from Oliver Wendell Holmes: "I do not care a fig for simplicity this side of complexity but I would give my life for the other side of complexity." Also from Albert Einstein: "Everything should be made as simple as possible; but not simpler." Further along into John Maedas discussion of each of the ten "laws" and his explanation of why he thinks that "simplicity = sanity;" I was reminded of this passage from William Butler Yeats "The Second Coming":"Turning and turning in the widening gyreThe falcon cannot hear the falconer;Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world;The blood-dimmed tide is loosed; and everywhereThe ceremony of innocence is drowned;The best lack all conviction; while the worstAre full of passionate intensity."Holmes was right; acknowledging how difficult it is to proceed through complexity to simplicity. In fact; I view complexity in that context as a crucible. More specifically; as container into which alchemists once placed raw materials and subjected them to intense heat; hoping to produce a pure and precious metal; perhaps gold. Like the falcon in Yeatss poem; the human mind circles high above more than it can possibly absorb and process; then make sense of. This is what William Wordsworth suggests in "The World Is Too Much with Us":"The world is too much with us; late and soon;Getting and spending; we lay waste our powers;Little we see in Nature that is ours;We have given our hearts away; a sordid boon!"And this is why Maeda believes that "simplicity = sanity." In a world that seems to become more complex each day; his on-going journey of discovery he realized how complex a topic simplicity really is; "and I dont pretend to have solved the puzzle...[and] am inspired to grapple with this puzzle many more years...Like all man-made `laws [mine] do not exist in the absolute sense - to break them is no sin. However you may find them useful in your own search for simplicity (and sanity) in design; technology; business; and life."It would be a disservice to Maeda as well as to those who read this review to list the ten "Laws." They are best revealed in context; within the frame-of-reference he creates for each. The same is true of the three "Keys to achieving simplicity in the technology domain" with which Maeda concludes his narrative. "Rarely do I have answers; but instead I have a lot of questions just like you." I am amazed by how much material he provides within only 100 pages. Additional resources can be obtained (at no cost) by visiting lawsofsimplicity.com.It is worth noting that when Maeda "set out with youthful zeal to attack the simplicity question; [he] felt that complexity was destroying our world and had to be stopped!" Presumably others have experienced the same frustrations I have encountered when struggling to understand the directions provided in an operations manual or terms and conditions of a service warranty or when struggling to obtain assistance from a customer service representative who speaks slowly enough and clearly enough to be understood. Why does it have to be so (bleeping) complicated? After speaking at a conference; Maeda was approached by a 73-year old artist who took him aside and said; "The worlds [begin italics] always [end italics] been falling apart. So relax." Maeda suggests that his reader take the same advice "and try to LEAN BACK while you read this book; if you can."John Maeda may not get you to the "other side of complexity" but he can help you to preserve your sanity meanwhile. If that isnt a value-added benefit; I dont know what one is.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great book for anyoneBy M. Y. MimRather than listing products to organize your laundry room; this lovely book treats simplicity as a philosophical inquiry. And it does not fall into the voluntary simplicity movement (although those who adhere to that will be enchanted). Its more a meditation using his brilliant background as an artist; engineer; student; and professor. The book is short and thoroughly inspirational. I highly recommend this delightful read.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Confusing bookBy Don McMinnThe book is disjointed and confusing. He rambles from one topic to the next. I learned little.
