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The article explores different perspectives and debates surrounding architectural modernism and urbanism. It mentions Thomas Heatherwick's book criticizing modernism for creating unlivable cities and Alex Beam's book examining controversies surrounding a modernist building. The ongoing debate between those who see modernism as monotonous and those who view it as diverse is highlighted. The article discusses three books: "Brasilia-Chandigarh: Living with Modernity" compares two modernist cities, "Housing Atlas: Europe 20th Century" provides an overview of European housing schemes, and "Modern Architecture in a Post-Modern Era" explores the evolution of modern architecture within broader cultural change. [Extracted from the article]

The book "Conservation and the Indian City: Bridging the Gap" edited by Poonam Verma Mascarenhas and Vinayak Bharne explores the challenges of heritage conservation in rapidly urbanizing cities in India. The book features essays by experts in the field, discussing topics such as the preservation of historic structures, the integration of conservation with urban development, and the effectiveness of existing policies. The authors emphasize the importance of inclusive and participatory planning, adaptive reuse of historical buildings, sustainable tourism, sustainable urban development, financial innovation, strengthening policy frameworks, and skill development and community engagement in heritage conservation. While the book provides valuable insights, it may be challenging for a younger or non-academic audience due to technical language. [Extracted from the article]

"Streets in Motion: the Making of Infrastructure, Property and Political Culture in Twentieth-century Calcutta" by Ritajyoti Bandyopadhyay is a book that explores the history of Calcutta through the lens of its streets. The author argues that obstructions, rather than being mere negations of motion, can be productive sites capable of generating thriving urbanisms. The book examines the relationship between urban commons, private property, public space, and territorialization in the colonial and postcolonial city. It uses ethnographic and archival research to support its arguments and provides a historical perspective on the study of urban informal communities. The book will be of interest to scholars and researchers in urban studies, geography, anthropology, planning, and policy-making. [Extracted from the article]

"Ecovillages and Ecocities – Bioclimatic Applications from Tirana, Albania" is a comprehensive book that examines the evaluation of environmental sustainability and urban well-being, with a focus on Tirana, Albania. The book emphasizes the need for standardized assessment frameworks and showcases successful strategies from other cities in integrating bioclimatic solutions and renewable energy. It delves into various aspects of sustainable urban development, including urban evolution, social dynamics, international standards for green buildings, and the role of bioclimatic architecture. The book provides practical insights and recommendations for researchers, professionals, architects, and city planners interested in fostering sustainable urban environments globally. [Extracted from the article]

"The City Aroused: Queer Places and Urban Redevelopment in Postwar San Francisco" by Damon Scott is a spatial analysis of the queer land on the San Francisco waterfront and its destruction during urban redevelopment. The book explores how the waterfront became a containment zone for a thriving queer nightlife, framed as a vice district by pro-growth advocates to drive down land costs for urban renewal projects. Despite the destruction of queer sites, the displaced community continued to organize and resist in other areas of the city. The book offers a unique perspective on the spatial dynamics and political tensions between financial interests and queer identity in San Francisco. [Extracted from the article]

"Supertall: How the world’s tallest buildings are reshaping our cities and our lives" by Stefan Al is a book that explores the impact of supertall skyscrapers on architectural, cultural, and financial aspects of cities. The author, an architecture scholar with firsthand experience in skyscraper projects, provides a comprehensive overview of the technological and societal dimensions of skyscrapers. The book discusses the inner workings of skyscrapers, including building materials, engineering, and environmental considerations. It also delves into the social dynamics of skyscrapers, such as regulatory frameworks and their effects on public space and urban inequality. The author concludes by advocating for a new paradigm that prioritizes sustainability in skyscraper design and regulation. Overall, "Supertall" offers a balanced and critical examination of skyscrapers as significant elements of contemporary urban landscapes. [Extracted from the article]

"Resilient Urban Environments: Planning for Livable Cities" is a comprehensive book edited by Runming Yao that explores solutions for creating resilient and livable cities in the face of climate change and urbanization. The book is organized around three main themes: the negative effects of environmental changes on urban health, the use of modern modeling methods for adaptation and mitigation, and case studies of successful implementations. It covers topics such as outdoor thermal comfort, urban vitality, public health risks related to heat waves, urban microclimates, urban design strategies for air pollution mitigation, urban ventilation, soundscapes in urban planning, urban greening, urban flood resilience, energy demand in cities, and clean and renewable energy applications. The book concludes with a case study on resilience planning in Reading, UK, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This book is a valuable resource for urban planners, policymakers, and scholars interested in developing sustainable and resilient cities. [Extracted from the article]

"The Sustainable Urban Design Handbook" by Nico Larco and Kaarin Knudson is a comprehensive resource that gathers research on sustainability in urban design into a framework and a set of design patterns. The handbook is aimed at multiple parties engaged in urban design, including designers, planners, elected officials, real estate professionals, advocates, and ordinary citizens. The framework presented in the handbook is well-grounded in the literature and provides a means to highlight trade-offs and synergies between design decisions. The bulk of the book consists of design patterns that fill the cells in the framework, providing clear and actionable guidelines for urban design. The handbook is generously and well-illustrated, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in sustainable urban design. [Extracted from the article]

The book review titled "Analysis and Evaluation of Public Social Housing: Tools for a Sustainable Regeneration" explores the topic of sustainable urban regeneration, focusing on architectural, structural, and energy efficiency aspects. The book uses a case study of Rome's post-1964 social housing developments to critique deficiencies and propose pathways for sustainable renewal. It advocates for a holistic approach to urban redevelopment, aligning with contemporary environmental sustainability and social equity imperatives. The book provides valuable insights and tools for urban planners, architects, policymakers, and researchers engaged in sustainable urban development. [Extracted from the article]

The book review discusses Elise Massicard's book "Street-level governing: negotiating the state in urban Turkey." Massicard challenges the traditional view of the Turkish state as a separate entity from society and instead explores the concept of the state as a complex institution shaped by daily interactions between public authorities and citizens. The author focuses on the role of mukhtars, who act as intermediaries between the state and society, shedding light on the intersection of the state and society in Turkey. The book is based on fieldwork conducted in different neighborhoods of Istanbul and examines how mukhtars fulfill their roles in various contexts. It also discusses the decline in the autonomy of mukhtars in recent years due to the increasing involvement of municipalities at the neighborhood level. Overall, the book challenges dominant views on Ottoman and Turkish history and provides insights into the complex networks of the state in Turkish society. [Extracted from the article]

"The Urban Question in Africa: Uneven Geographies of Transition" by Padraig R. Carmody, James T. Murphy, Richard Grant, and Francis Y. Owusu challenges prevailing assumptions about Africa's urbanization and urban dynamics. The authors argue that traditional Global North urban development approaches are inadequate for understanding and addressing Africa's urban transition. They propose innovative approaches to urban planning that balance economic growth with managing urban challenges such as infrastructure deficit, congestion, inequality, and poverty. The book examines the impact of Africa's urban transition on development and explores opportunities for inclusive and sustainable urban economic development. [Extracted from the article]

"Interwar London After Dark in British Popular Culture" by Mara Arts explores the control and representation of the night-time city in interwar London through newspapers and films. The book argues that technological advances made the night more accessible, leading to concerns about the destabilization of British society. Newspapers and films portrayed the night as sinister and unruly, contrasting it with the daytime's labor and responsibility. The book examines the portrayal of women on the night-time streets, the role of the Metropolitan Police, suburbs and public transport at night, and the reflection of newspapers and films in each other. The book also includes a comprehensive catalog of interwar films and newspaper articles. [Extracted from the article]

"Tensions in Diversity: Spaces for Collective Life in Los Angeles" by Felicity Hwee-Hwa Chan is a book that explores the dynamics of interpersonal relations among diverse racial and ethnic groups in Los Angeles County. The research focuses on three neighborhoods with different sociocultural groups and histories of social tensions. The study is based on interviews with community organizers and residents to understand how space is organized based on ethnicity and national origin. The book highlights the physical and social distance that persists among groups with diverse cultural and national origins, and emphasizes the importance of physical space in promoting intergroup interaction and understanding. The findings and insights of the book are relevant to anyone interested in urbanization, urban planning, community life, race and ethnicity, or Los Angeles specifically. [Extracted from the article]

"CINVA: un proyecto latinoamericano 1951-1972" is an edited volume that explores the formation and legacy of the Centro Interamericano de Vivienda y Planeamiento (Inter-American Housing Centre; CINVA) in Bogotá. The book features contributions from multiple authors and examines CINVA's objective of training professionals and communities in social housing and urban planning. It discusses key figures and projects associated with CINVA, as well as its transition from a Pan-American project to a Latin American intellectual endeavor. The book highlights CINVA's role as a "contact zone" for the exchange of knowledge and expertise. Overall, it is a valuable resource for understanding the Latin American housing debate in the mid-20th century. [Extracted from the article]

The book review titled "Smart cities in Europe and Asia: Urban Planning and Management for a Sustainable Future" edited by Prana Krishna Biswas and Robert Dygas explores the challenges and opportunities associated with the transformation of smart cities in Asia and Europe. The book provides insights into how the smart city concept has become a significant study in urban planning and management by examining case studies from both continents. It discusses topics such as the use of information technology, renewable energy integration, urban commons, green hydrogen, digital and ecological transformation, and the role of innovation in building resilient cities. The book emphasizes the importance of technology, international cooperation, and community participation in achieving a sustainable future. [Extracted from the article]

The book review discusses "Atlas of the Senseable City" by Antoine Picon and Carlo Ratti, which explores the use of digital mapping in envisioning the future of cities. The book focuses on the projects of MIT's Senseable City Lab (SCL), which uses big data and innovative technologies to study changes in the built environment. It historicizes and theorizes the significance of digital maps and rethinks the concept of smart cities, championing the idea of a "senseable city" instead. The book is organized into chapters that cover different types of information flows, such as motion, connection, circulation, and experience. It emphasizes the participatory nature of smart cities and the potential for empowering urbanites. The book provides proposals for technologically innovative approaches to urban cartography and critical geography. [Extracted from the article]

"Just City: Growing up on the Upper West side when housing was a human right" by Jennifer Baum is a combination of a sociological analysis of subsidized housing policy in New York during the 20th century and the author's memoir of growing up in such housing. Baum explores how her experiences in subsidized housing shaped her life and political ideology. She also discusses the impact of housing policy on urban life, including inter-ethnic relations, education, cultural diversity, and local businesses. The book provides insights into American housing policy and advocates for the civil right of good housing for all. [Extracted from the article]

"Urban Change in Central Europe: The Case of Kraków" is a comprehensive book edited by Jacek Purchla that delves into the developmental conditions of Krakow, Poland. The book explores the historical context, the role of local self-government units, barriers to development, and the impact of spatial planning on the city. It also addresses topics such as cultural heritage protection, economic life, and architectural development. The book provides valuable insights into the specific conditions of Krakow's development and can serve as a starting point for further research and discussion on urban development in Central and Eastern Europe. [Extracted from the article]

The book "Social (in)equality, community well-being and quality of life" by Patsy Kraeger, M. Rezaul Islam, and Rhonda Phillips explores the relationship between social inequality, well-being, and quality of life. Unlike other books on the topic, the authors focus on the impact of inequality rather than proving its existence. The book includes case studies from various scales, from local communities to the United Nations, and addresses a wide range of populations experiencing inequality. It also offers insights into different research methodologies and their results. Overall, the book provides lessons on identifying and addressing inequities in diverse contexts and highlights the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on social inequality. [Extracted from the article]

The book "Conserving and Managing Historical Urban Landscape: An Integrated Morphological Approach" by Xiaoxi Li and Ye Zhang is a comprehensive study of urban history. It covers various topics such as urbanization, sustainability, urban environment, governance, globalization, and urban development. The book includes case studies of Ludlow in England, Chinatown in Singapore, and Old Chengnan in Nanjing, China. It explores the relationship between urban morphology and historic urban landscape management and provides recommendations for conservation and management practices. The book is a valuable resource for researchers in urban studies, urban geography, and regional planning. [Extracted from the article]

The book "Urban Design and Planning for Age-Friendly Environments Across Europe: North and South Developing Healthy and Therapeutic Living Spaces for Local Contexts" explores the intersection of urban design, planning, and age-friendly neighborhoods in Europe. It offers a comprehensive examination of how cities in Northern and Southern Europe can be developed to meet the needs of an aging population. The book takes a multidisciplinary approach, focusing on environmental planning, geography, and environmental science. It discusses key issues related to quality of life and healthy aging, methodologies and perspectives in case studies, and innovative examples of healthier and more livable neighborhoods and cities. While the book primarily focuses on the European context, it provides a strong foundation for research into the global implications of an aging population on urban development. [Extracted from the article]

The book "Public space: notes on why it matters, what we should know, and how to realize its potential" by Vikas Mehta explores the importance and various aspects of public space in urban design. The book argues that public space serves essential functions and benefits, such as being an infrastructure, a repository of memories, and a place for social interaction. It also delves into the symbolic nature of public space, the paradoxes it presents, and the possibilities it offers. The book is structured in a nonlinear way, allowing readers to explore different themes and engage with the subject in various ways. It is richly illustrated and written in clear language, making it accessible to both students and professionals interested in urban design. [Extracted from the article]

"The Computable City: Histories, Technologies, Stories, Predictions" by Michael Batty explores the impact of computers and telecommunication technologies on urban life since the mid-20th century and their potential future implications. The book defines the computable city as the use of computers to understand and control cities. It discusses the development of computers and the internet, the physicality of cities, modeling and visualizing cities, and the surge of contemporary technology and smart city planning. The book emphasizes the unpredictability of urban futures due to new technologies and their applications, as well as the changing role of distance in shaping cities. It also examines the concept of smart cities and urges a rethinking of their purpose. Overall, the book provides valuable insights into the social, technological, and physical aspects of computable cities and expands on previous work by the author. [Extracted from the article]

The book review discusses "Jakarta: The City of a Thousand Dimensions" by Abidin Kusno, an architect and art historian who specializes in Indonesian urbanism. The book explores the complexities of Jakarta's urban condition, focusing on its political and spatial transitions since 1998. It covers a wide range of topics, including informality, housing for the poor, transportation, flooding, private cities, populist politics, Islam's influence on the built form, and the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on Jakarta's streets. The book offers interdisciplinary insights into urbanization and urbanism in Jakarta, making it relevant to scholars, students, and professionals interested in cities. However, readers unfamiliar with Indonesia and Jakarta may find the book overwhelming due to its richness and complexity. [Extracted from the article]

"Urban Policy in the Framework of the 2030 Agenda: Balance and Perspectives from Latin America and Europe" is a book edited by M.A.H. García, A. Rodríguez Miranda, V. Ugalde, and R.M. Rodríguez. It focuses on urban policies in relation to the 2030 Agenda and provides 10 case studies of secondary/intermediate cities in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, Chile, Spain, Italy, England, France, and Portugal. The book aims to explore how policy is transferred and how urban Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are translated into policies, programs, and administrative structures. While the book offers valuable insights, some topics, such as the impact of interventions and finance, could have been covered in more depth. Overall, it is a valuable resource for academics and practitioners interested in sustainable urbanization and provides a unique perspective on the local implementation of SDGs. [Extracted from the article]

The book "Landscape approach: From local communities to territorial systems" edited by Hannes Zanders, Shelagh McCartney, Samantha Solano, and Sonja Vangjeli is a collection of 23 case studies that explore sustainability from the perspective of the "Landscape Approach." The case studies cover a wide range of countries, scales, and areas of focus, including rural, suburban, and urban locations. Each chapter provides a short summary and links to broader planning issues. The book covers topics such as planning in Afghanistan, river restoration in Toronto, land reclamation in Singapore, climate change impact on agriculture in Mali, and advocacy for free access to urban rivers in New York. The chapters are well-written, visually supported, and offer a diverse range of project types. This book is recommended for undergraduate city planning courses and provides valuable insights into innovative planning methods and sustainable infrastructure. [Extracted from the article]

The book "Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Smart City Planning" explores the application of AI and ML in urban environments, covering methodologies like neural networks, deep learning, blockchain, big data analytics, and image processing. It addresses current advancements and proposes solutions for smart city challenges, integrating technological innovations with urban planning and governance. The book consists of 21 chapters grouped into 7 parts, covering topics such as smart city initiatives, wastewater energy generation, AI in education, environmental sustainability, public transportation, smart grid data security, and the future of smart city planning. The authors advocate for tailored approaches and adapting technological solutions to local contexts. [Extracted from the article]

"Shifting Gears: Toward a New Way of Thinking About Transportation" by Susan Handy is a book that critically examines the ideas that have shaped the transportation system in the United States. The author explores nine interlocking concepts, including freedom, speed, mobility, vehicles, capacity, hierarchy, separation, control, and technology, to explain how the current transportation system came to be. Handy shares personal stories throughout the book and draws from various disciplines such as psychology, engineering, and urban planning. She also introduces new ideas that challenge traditional approaches and advocates for a paradigm shift in the transportation field, emphasizing mobility justice and the integration of different modes of transportation. The book encourages readers to think about the future of transportation and the need for new options and approaches. [Extracted from the article]

"Rabble Rousers: Frances Goldin and the Fight for Cooper Square" is a documentary film directed by Kathryn Barnier, Ryan Joseph, and Kelly Anderson. The film explores the dynamics of urban planning and neighborhood opposition in New York's historic Cooper Square. It focuses on the efforts of Frances Goldin, a resident of Cooper Square and co-founder of the Cooper Square Committee, to resist urban renewal and shape redevelopment in the neighborhood. The film highlights the importance of community involvement in shaping redevelopment and preserving what is valued. It also discusses the adoption of a community land trust model for affordable housing in Cooper Square. While the film primarily focuses on Goldin, it includes voices from other organizers and tenants who contributed to the movement. [Extracted from the article]

Fernando De Terán's Atlas histórico del urbanismo español (Historical Atlas of Spanish Town Planning) is a comprehensive study of the spatial, organizational, and morphological aspects of Spanish cities from ancient times to the present. The atlas explores the development of Spanish cities through direct visual experiences and mental approaches, including spatial plans. It also considers the territorial dimension and relationships between cities and their surrounding areas. This book provides valuable insights into the evolution of Spanish urban planning and its integration into broader political strategies, addressing current challenges and emphasizing sustainability. [Extracted from the article]