In The Human City, internationally recognized urbanist Joel Kotkin
challenges the conventional urban-planning wisdom that favors
high-density, "pack-and-stack" strategies. By exploring the
economic, social, and environmental benefits of decentralized,
family-friendly alternatives, Kotkin concludes that while the word
"suburbs" may be outdated, the concept is certainly not dead. Aside
from those wealthy enough to own spacious urban homes, people
forced into high-density development must accept crowded living
conditions and limited privacy, thus degrading their quality of
life. Dispersion, Kotkin argues, provides a chance to build a more
sustainable, "human-scale" urban environment. After pondering the
purpose of a city--and the social, political, economic, and
aesthetic characteristics that are associated with urban
living--Kotkin explores the problematic realities of today's
megacities and the importance of families, neighborhoods, and local
communities, arguing that these considerations must guide the way
we shape our urban landscapes. He then makes the case for
dispersion and explores communities (dynamic small cities,
redeveloped urban neighborhoods, and more) that are already
providing viable, decentralized alternatives to ultra-dense urban
cores. The Human City lays out a vision of urbanism that is both
family friendly and flexible. It describes a future where people,
aided by technology, are freed from the constraints of small spaces
and impossibly high real estate prices. While Kotkin does not call
for low-density development per se, he does advocate for a greater
range of options for people to live the way they want at various
stages of their lives. We are building cities without thinking
about the people who live in them, argues The Human City. It's time
to change our approach to one that is centered on human values.
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