If I haven't already read them, they're very likely on my Amazon Wish List. Not included on the list, surprisingly, is Retrofitting Suburbia by Ellen Dunham-Jones and June Williamson, which I found excellent.
From Planetizen:
Planetizen is pleased to release its ninth annual list of the ten best books in urban planning, design and development published in 2009. This year's assortment ranges from an impassioned argument for making transit fun to a low-key and practical guide to smart growth. And of course, Jane Jacobs makes an appearance.
The Planetizen editorial staff based its 2010 edition list on a number of criteria, including editorial reviews, popularity, Planetizen reader nominations, number of references, sales figures, recommendations from experts and the book's potential impact on the urban planning, development and design professions.
This year, historical analysis dominates the list, with five or more books reaching back into the past for insight. Erik Sanderson reaches back all the way to 1609 in Mannahatta: A Natural History of New York City, and Mark Ovenden digs into the history of the Paris Underground with a lushly illustrated coffee table book. But the future and present are not forgotten, with several books tackling today's realities and strategies for improvement.
We present our list in alphabetical order, and are not assigning rank. And now, on to the list!
- “The Bicycle Diaries,” David Byrne (former lead singer of The Talking Heads, and now solo artist). Viking Press
- “The Smart Growth Manual,” Andrés Duany, Jeff Speck and Mike Lydon. McGrawHill Professional
- “Wrestling With Moses: How Jane Jacobs Took On New York’s Master Builder and Transformed the American City,” Anthony Flint. Random House
- “On Private Property: Finding Common Ground on the Ownership of Land,” Eric Freyfogle. Beacon Press
- “Building Up and Tearing Down: Reflections on the Age of Architecture,” Paul Goldberger. The Monacelli Press
- “The Architecture of Community,” Léon Krier. Island Press
- “The BLDGBLOG Book,” Geoff Manaugh (writer of the well-know BLDGBLOG). Chronicle Books
- “Paris Underground: The Maps, Stations and Design of the Métro,” Mark Ovenden. Penguin
- “Green Metropolis: Why Living Smaller, Living Closer, and Driving Less are the Keys to Sustainability,” David Owen. Riverhead Books (also read “Urban is Good,” a New York Times review of this book).
- “Mannahatta: A Natural History of New York City,” Eric W. Sanderson. Abrams Books (also read "Island in the Stream,” a New York Times review of this book).
Read detailed reviews of each book at: Top 10 Books - 2010 | Planetizen
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