Book Reviews
The Community Planning Handbook: How People Can Shape Their Cities, Towns and Villages in Any Part of the World
Editor: Nick Wates
Publisher: Earthscan (2006)
This handbook is a compilation of new methods in community planning. The growing global demand for local involvement in the planning and management of the environment now considers local participation the best way of ensuring the development of safer, stronger, and sustainable communities. The editor aims to help in the evolution of community planning through sharing the benefits of experience and facilitating international exchange of good practices. It is a good starting point for technical professionals, local authorities, community workers, students and residents as it offers a wide range of methods available from community workshops to electronic maps that help stakeholders in shaping their local environment. It has a simple and easy-to-follow format, with tips, checklists, and sample documents as well as information on best practices from local and international perspectives. It encourages users to experiment with different methods, to mix, match, and evolve to come up with approaches most suitable to their situation.
More Urban, Less Poor: An Introduction to Urban Development & Management
Authors: Goran Tannerfeldt and Per Ljung
Publisher: SIDA and Earthscan (2006)
Essential reading for public officials, development professionals, researchers, and all others engaged in the field of urban development and management, this book presents how urban centers grow; their economic development; the link between urban and rural development; and the major challenges accompanying rapid urban growth. What I like about this book is its ability to communicate its message clearly. The authors organized the ideas in a systematic manner; it starts with identification of the problem and analysis of its nature. It then illustrates the consequences of the problem, and concludes with solutions to the problem. The layout was also reader-friendly. Apart from interesting pictures of urban areas in various parts of the globe, there are tables and graphs to back up most of the information. This book is indeed an effective resource material for individuals and groups working passionately towards sustainable urban development.
Book Review | rp | 13 January 2009 |
