- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
Reimagining our cities for a sustainable and human-centric future
In her groundbreaking book Wonder City, Lynn Ellsworth delves deep into the heart of modern urban life, casting a critical eye on the transformative changes sweeping through cities like New York. This compelling journey into the world of urban development goes beyond the usual narraÂtive, serving as a passionate call to action that encourages readers to actively participate in shaping the future of their cities.
Ellsworth expertly navigates through complex themes such as affordable housing, urban planÂning, historic preservation, and architecture. With a focus on major cities undergoing significant transformations, Wonder City offers an insightful examination of the challenges and opportunities that define contemporary urban life.
At the core of this engaging narrative is a striking critique of the real estate industry's influence over urban landscapes. Ellsworth reveals how historic and culturally rich urban settings are increasÂingly being overshadowed by the rise of impersonal glass towers, a trend she argues is driven by the industry's grip on politicians and technocrats. This analysis is both eye-opening and unsettling, shedding light on the forces reshaping our urban environments.
Wonder City is more than a critique, however. Ellsworth provides a pragmatic blueprint for revitalizing urban spaces. She champions the need for affordable housing, sustainable urban planÂning, and architecture that respects and enhances the human experience. Her arguments challenge the prevailing economic theories behind housing supply and question the architectural ideologies that often justify the demolition of historic urban assets.
This book is an essential read for urban planners, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of urban living. Ellsworth's clear, accessible insights into complex issues make Wonder City a vital contribution to the discourse on urban development, appealing to a broad audience that cares about the dynamics and future of city life.
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Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Contents
- 1. Competing Visions of the City and Urban Life
- 2. The Failure of Trickle-Down Housing Supply Theory
- 3. The Costs of Towerization and the Problem of Density
- 4. Economics of the Urban Commons
- 5. The Curse of New York: The Real Estate Lobby as the Demolition Machine
- 6. How Big Real Estate Stays on Top
- 7. Demonizing Historic Districts and the Capture of the Landmarks Preservation Commission
- 8. The Architecture of Rupture and Nihilism
- 9. What Policies for a Human-Scale City?
- Acknowledgments
- Notes
- References
- Index