Questions of how to green the North American economy; create a green energy and transportation infrastructure; and halt the deadly increase in greenhouse gas buildup dominate our daily news. Related questions of how the design of cities can impact these challenges dominate the thoughts of urban planners and designers across the U.S. and Canada. With admirable clarity; Patrick Condon discusses transportation; housing equity; job distribution; economic development; and ecological systems issues and synthesizes his knowledge and research into a simple-to-understand set of urban design rules that can; if followed; help save the planet. No other book so clearly connects the form of our cities to their ecological; economic; and social consequences. No other book takes on this breadth of complex and contentious issues and distills them down to such convincing and practical solutions. And no other book so vividly compares and contrasts the differing experiences of U.S. and Canadian cities. Of particular new importance is how city form affects the production of planet-warming greenhouse gases. The author explains this relationship in an accessible way; and goes on to show how conforming to seven simple rules for community design could literally do a world of good. Each chapter in the book explains one rule in depth; adding a wealth of research to support each claim. If widely used; Condon argues; these rules would lead to a much more livable world for future generationsmdash;a world that is not unlike the better parts of our own.
#1665974 in eBooks 2012-07-22 2012-07-22File Name: B008NGTGCQ
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A mathematicians guide to great architectureBy Joe P.I have used this book as the textbook for a study-abroad class I teach in Rome (Mathematical Beauty in Rome. a UCSD Global Seminar) on the architectural geometry and structural engineering of Roman monuments. Prof. Hahn has given us a wonderful book - clear and carefully written. wide-ranging. mathematically sophisticated - with discussions and problems that will challenge students in engineering and mathematical disciplines. Aside from its value as a textbook. it is a pleasure to read for any technically-minded person. especially if you have a passion for architecture. My advice: read the book. and then take a trip - your own "mathematical excursion" - to visit the sites (with book in hand) that are discussed. and you will have a uniquely delightful travel experience.Note: I have both hardcover and Kindle editions - both are well done.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Interesting excursions!By BJOslash;RN FELSAGERAny book trying to bridge mathematics and architecture in a historical perspective is most welcome. and Alexander Hahn has certainly collected some very interesting examples and succeeded in putting them into an appropriate perspective. Unavoidable he has had to make some simplifications but he is not always making them clear to the reader. E.g. he is making an assumption about Utzons sail that is only approximately fulfilled and only for the second sail. The point A does not have the same height as the center of the sphere as is clear from Yuzo Mikamis illustration on the same page and therefore you cannot rotate the sphere so that A lands on the y-axis. But apart from such minor nuissances I really enjoyed reading the book!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. whew. didnt realize i nedded a masters degree in mathBy Hencha friend. who is also an architect. told me of this book and said it was fascinating. got the book and am also fascinated by the whole concept. it was written by an obviously talented mathematician who apparently thought advanced math was understood by a typical reader. his writing is clear and logical and. with much effort. i can sort of follow his concept. i am constantly amused by his elegant formulas and derivations that look like no formulas i have ever seen. bottom line: better be real good with math to fully enjoy this book.
