Jeff Speck reviews the NY Street Design Manual

Suburban Nation co-author Jeff Speck cracks the new New York Street Design Manual and finds a lot of useful material and some that falls short.

1 minute read

September 16, 2009, 2:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur

"[F]irst, let's dispense with the obligatory assessment: Do you need to buy this $35 book? Yes, if you are involved in any way in the design of city streets. Yes, also, if you can plop it on the lap of someone who is. Since this collection of best practices is put forward as the recommended policy of our nation's biggest city, its potential clout makes up for any flaws or limitations in its contents. Of course, its only weakness as a political tool stems necessarily from the same source: I can already hear my Midwestern clients complaining that they don't want to become New York. But we know that deep down, just a little bit, most of them would like to share some of the magic of America's most sustainable city."

FULL STORY: New Words on the Block

Tuesday, September 15, 2009 in Design Observer

Infrastructure Transportation New York Streets Street Design Street Design Manuals View More

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

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