This is one of those books you have no idea you need to read. Until you do and suddenly the way you think about a topic is altered in ways you didn't realize were necessary. A love letter to cities and our inherent interdependence, to living harmoniously, and to the many ways that art and design affects our everyday lives. Also a great reminder that our external surroundings reflect our internal worlds, collectively as much as individually. If this book was an appliance, its makers would market it as a "labor-saving device." Basically, the author gathers together the research and work of others (so that readers don't have to track that information down, hence saving them labor) and then repackages it, saying the same things as the scholars do, but in a popular (ie, non-academic) form. Their message, a result, is also his: urbanites can make their lives happier and more contented if they change cities to be more people-friendly and car-unfriendly.
What do You think about Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design (2013)?
Fabulous and inspiring book. Everyone who cares about cities and how we live should read this book.
—Jazz19
I'm a bit surprised with the lack of mentions of Tokyo/Singapore/Hong Kong. Hmm.
—tjayo
this is a must read for anyone who gives a shit about their own city.
—Raeann
A must read for anyone who cares about or lives in cities.
—cathdon
I loved this book. In every way. Review to come.
—kryssx
