Why are American cities; suburbs; and towns so distinct? Compared to European cities; those in the United States are characterized by lower densities and greater distances; neat; geometric layouts; an abundance of green space; a greater level of social segregation reflected in space; andmdash;perhaps most noticeablymdash;a greater share of individual; single-family detached housing. In Zoned in the USA; Sonia A. Hirt argues that zoning laws are among the important but understudied reasons for the cross-continental differences. Hirt shows that rather than being imported from Europe; U.S. municipal zoning law was in fact an institution that quickly developed its own; distinctly American profile. A distinct spatial culture of individualismmdash;founded on an ideal of separate; single-family residences apart from the dirt and turmoil of industrial and agricultural productionmdash;has driven much of municipal regulation; defined land-use; and; ultimately; shaped American life. Hirt explores municipal zoning from a comparative and international perspective; drawing on archival resources and contemporary land-use laws from England; Germany; France; Australia; Russia; Canada; and Japan to challenge assumptions about American cities and the laws that guide them.
#804869 in eBooks 2013-06-10 2013-06-10File Name: B00SSLV7EG
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Just OkayBy TonyWas looking for plans for San Francisco Victorian style row houses. Did not have what I was looking for. Very limited!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Beautifully done!By LeahReally interesting book! Not only does it include exterior views of homes and floor plans; but it also includes details about finials; dormers; gables; ornamental decoration; balusters; mantels; etc. Plenty of exterior and interior design elelments. Very detailed! Wonderful resource if youre remodeling a Victorian home; but also great if you just enjoy studying this sorta thing.My book came in like-new condition; without bends; dogears; torn pages; etc. Im really happy with this purchase!6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. 5 stars Really?By G. A. Caldwell5 stars would suggest to me that there is nothing in this book that could be improved; its perfect. All I take from these reviews after purchasing this book is that these reviewers must work for the publishers.This book is typical of a number of the genre; nice reproductions of the original plates but little in anything that would give an insight in to the buildings layouts; construction and design inspiration. If this book had been reproduced at the same scale as the original then it would make a great coffee table book.I keep buying these books in the hope Ill find another "Classic Modern Homes of the Thirties." Here is a book the explains the houses; their layouts and the purpose behind their design. The optimist in me keeps buying these books in the hope of finding something similar. This book isnt it.
