Editorial Reviews

Based on the author's extensive experience as a working planner, this book gives readers an insider's view of sub-state urban planning–the “nitty-gritty” details on the interplay of politics, law, money, and interest groups. The author takes a balanced, non-judgmental approach to introduce a range of ideological and political perspectives on the operation of political, economic, and demographic forces in city planning. Unlike other books on the subject, this one is strong in its coverage of economics, law, finance, and urban governance. It examines the underlying forces of growth and change and discusses frankly who benefits and loses by particular decisions. A four-part organization covers the background and development of contemporary planning; the structure and practice of contemporary planning; fields of planning; and national planning in the United States and other nations, and planning theory. For individuals headed for a career in planning.

Customer Reviews

Cover with small smudges, but otherwise excellent., 2008-09-21
by Glenn L. Williams (Lincoln, NE USA)

The overall quality of the book was excellent, but the covers always get little smudges in anything I get through Amazon. The local bookstore seems to always have a pristine cover to their books. Work on protecting the cover to paperbacks better.

The speed of delivery was excellent, arriving on the early side.

Good basic overview, 2008-07-20
by G. Festa (Richmond, VA USA)

I was thinking of enrolling in a masters program for Urban Planning, and wanted to get a better sense of what a planner did. This book offers a good overview of the field, and provides a basic understanding of the types of issues a planner might deal with. I would recommend it to anyone who is in my position, trying to learn more about the field. For anyone looking for more than just a basic, 1st level overview, this is not your book.

Get a Broad spectrum of Urban Planning for the Beginner, 2000-07-10

This book gives a broad spectrum of what to expect in the planning field, but there are a few flaws. One is that the book is not written for the technocratic planner, it is written for the beginner or someone who is not going to make planning their career. But this book will give the beginner a broad basis to start from and for this I do suggest the beginner to read this before they choose planning as a career.