The Regional City : planning for the end of sprawl

Most Americans today do not live in discrete cities and towns, but rather in an aggregation of cities and suburbs that forms one basic economic, multi-cultural, environmental and civic entity. These “regional cities” have the potential to significantly improve the quality of our lives--to provide interconnected and diverse economic centers, transportation choices, and a variety of human-scale communities. In The Regional City, two of the most innovative thinkers in the field of land use planning and design offer a detailed look at this new metropolitan form and explain how regional-scale planning and design can help direct growth wisely and reverse current trends in land use. The authors: discuss the nature and underpinnings of this new metropolitan form present their view of the policies and physical design principles required for metropolitan areas to transform themselves into regional cities document the combination of physical design and social and economic policies that are being used across the country consider the main factors that are shaping metropolitan regions today, including the maturation of sprawling suburbs and the renewal of urban neighborhoods. Featuring full-color graphics and in-depth case studies, The Regional City offers a thorough examination of the concept of regional planning along with examples of successful initiatives from around the country. It will be must reading for planners, architects, landscape architects, local officials, real estate developers, community development professionals, and for students in architecture, urban planning, and policy.

<p>Most Americans today do not live in discrete cities and towns, but rather in an aggregation of cities and suburbs that forms one basic economic, multi-cultural, environmental and civic entity. These &quot;regional cities&quot; have the potential to significantly improve the quality of our lives-to provide interconnected and diverse economic centers, transportation choices, and a variety of human-scale communities. In The Regional City, two of the most innovative thinkers in the field of land use planning and design offer a detailed look at this new metropolitan form and explain how regional-scale planning and design can help direct growth wisely and reverse current trends in land use. The authors:<ul> <li>discuss the nature and underpinnings of this new metropolitan form <li>present their view of the policies and physical design principles required for metropolitan areas to transform themselves into regional cities <li>document the combination of physical design and social and economic policies that are being used across the country <li>consider the main factors that are shaping metropolitan regions today,including the maturation of sprawling suburbs and the renewal of urban neighborhoods </ul>.<p>Featuring full-color graphics and in-depth case studies, The Regional Cityoffers a thorough examination of the concept of regional planning along with examples of successful initiatives from around the country. It will be must reading for planners, architects, landscape architects, local officials, real estate developers, community development professionals, and for students in architecture, urban planning, and policy.

Publishers Weekly

Readers interested in environmental issues and urban development should hungrily consume Peter Calthorpe and William Fulton's innovative contribution, The Regional City: Planning for the End of Sprawl. Authors of The Next American Metropolis and The Reluctant Metropolis, respectively, Calthorpe and Fulton argue that the design of our current metropolitan regions--inner cities surrounded by rings of isolated suburbs filled with malls and office parks--has placed our remaining land at considerable risk and exacerbates the divide between the rich and the poor. According to the authors, these "edge cities" have sprawled beyond human scale, and they suggest a regional model that they claim will offer a cleaner, more socially equitable U.S. for the 21st century. Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

We Live In A World Of Regions, Not Nations, States, Or Cities. Today, Most Americans Live In An Aggregation Of Cities And Suburbs That Forms One Basic Economic, Ecological, Cultural, And Civic Entity. These Regional Cities Offer A Framework For Transforming Urban And Suburban Neighborhoods From Segregated Enclaves With Isolated Uses Into Walkable, Diverse, Human-scale Communities. They Also Set The Stage For A Discussion Of Our Most Critical Quality Of Life Issues - Open Space, Traffic, Affordable Housing, Economic Development, Social Equity, And Civic Health. In The Regional City, Two Of The Most Innovative Thinkers In The Field Of Urban Design And Land Use Planning Offer A Detailed Look At This New Metropolitan Form: Its Genesis, Physical Structure, And Policy Foundation. Using Full-color Graphics And In-depth Case Studies, They Provide A Thorough Examination Of The Emerging Field Of Regional Design, Explaining How New Forms Of Smart Growth And Neighborhood Design Can Help Put An End To Sprawl, Urban Disinvestment, And Squandered Resources. This Book Is A Must Read For Environmentalists, Planners, Architects, Landscape Architects, Local Officials, Real Estate Developers, Community Development Advocates, And Students In Architecture, Urban Planning, And Policy.--jacket. Pt. 1. The End Of Sprawl. Living In The Regional World -- Communities Of Place -- Pt. 2. The Architecture Of The Regional City. Designing The Region -- Public Policy And The Regional City -- The Federal Role In Regionalism -- Pt. 3. Regionalism Emerging. Designing The Regions: Portland, Salt Lake, And Seattle -- The Superregions: New York, Chicago, And San Francisco -- State-led Regionalism: Florida, Maryland, And Minnesota -- Pt. 4. Renewing The Region's Communities. The Suburb's Maturation -- Renewing Urban Neighborhoods -- Conclusion: Transforming The Edge City Into The Regional City -- Appendix: Charter Of The New Urbanism. Peter Calthorpe, William Fulton ; Foreword By Robert Fishman. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 290-296) And Index. "We live in a world of regions, not nations, states, or cities. Today, most Americans live in an aggregation of cities and suburbs that forms one basic economic, ecological, cultural, and civic entity. These "Regional Cities" offer a framework for transforming urban and suburban neighborhoods from segregated enclaves with isolated uses into walkable, diverse, human-scale communities. They also set the stage for a discussion of our most critical quality of life issues - open space, traffic, affordable housing, economic development, social equity, and civic health." "In The Regional City, two of the most innovative thinkers in the field of urban design and land use planning offer a detailed look at this new metropolitan form: its genesis, physical structure, and policy foundation. Using full-color graphics and in-depth case studies, they provide a thorough examination of the emerging field of regional design, explaining how new forms of smart growth and neighborhood design can help put an end to sprawl, urban disinvestment, and squandered resources." "This book is a must read for environmentalists, planners, architects, landscape architects, local officials, real estate developers, community development advocates, and students in architecture, urban planning, and policy."--BOOK JACKET. A study of the regional city, explaining how regional-scale planning and design can help direct growth and reverse current trends in land use. The authors present their view of the policies and design principles required for metropolitan areas to transform themselves into regional cities. Only a century ago, the archetypal American community was a small city-often a factory town or a farm market town-so self-contained that its residents rarely had to leave its boundaries to obtain their daily needs.