Changing Places: The Science and Art of New Urban Planning

John MacDonald; Charles Branas; Robert Stokes

Published by Princeton University Press 2019

Changing Places

The Science and Art of New Urban Planning

John MacDonald , Charles Branas and Robert Stokes

https://doi.org/10.1515/9780691197791

Overview
Contents

About this book

A book that makes a strong case for more collaboration between urban planners and researchers in an effort to make cities safer and healthier.

How the science of urban planning can make our cities healthier, safer, and more livable

The design of every aspect of the urban landscape—from streets and sidewalks to green spaces, mass transit, and housing—fundamentally influences the health and safety of the communities who live there. It can affect people's stress levels and determine whether they walk or drive, the quality of the air they breathe, and how free they are from crime. Changing Places provides a compelling look at the new science and art of urban planning, showing how scientists, planners, and citizens can work together to reshape city life in measurably positive ways.

Drawing on the latest research in city planning, economics, criminology, public health, and other fields, Changing Places demonstrates how well-designed changes to place can significantly improve the well-being of large groups of people. The book argues that there is a disconnect between those who implement place-based changes, such as planners and developers, and the urban scientists who are now able to rigorously evaluate these changes through testing and experimentation. This compelling book covers a broad range of structural interventions, such as building and housing, land and open space, transportation and street environments, and entertainment and recreation centers.

Science shows we can enhance people's health and safety by changing neighborhoods block-by-block. Changing Places explains why planners and developers need to recognize the value of scientific testing, and why scientists need to embrace the indispensable know-how of planners and developers. This book reveals how these professionals, working together and with urban residents, can create place-based interventions that are simple, affordable, and scalable to entire cities.

Author / Editor information

John MacDonald is professor of criminology and sociology at the University of Pennsylvania. Charles Branas is the Gelman Professor and chair of the Department of Epidemiology at Columbia University. Robert Stokes is associate professor and chair of the Master of Public Policy Program in the School of Public Service at DePaul University.

Reviews

"The places we live have a huge effect on our health and well-being. This is something health professionals, urban planners, and policymakers neglect but absolutely must take into account. Changing Places presents a new, more scientifically grounded, and health-focused kind of urban planning—a playbook for building healthier communities."—Richard Florida, University of Toronto, author of The Rise of the Creative Class

"This book makes a case for the power of places to shape human behavior and well-being, and for the potential of government policies to create healthier environments. Changing Places provides compelling evidence that investments in places can improve people's lives."—Ingrid Gould Ellen, author of Sharing America's Neighborhoods: The Prospects for Stable Racial Integration

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Preface Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	xv
1. Our Surroundings, Ourselves Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2. A New Movement Based on Old Ideas Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	13
3. Establishing Evidence Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	28
4. Cities in Ruin Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	55
5. The Nature Cure Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	79
6. Driving Ambivalence Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	101
7. Good Clean Fun Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	118
8. Embracing Change Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	138
Epilogue: Where Next? Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	149
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	157
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	183