Phil Langdon reviews Peter Calthorpe's latest, called 'Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change'. Langdon says it is "a densely packed, yet concise overview of the troubling situation we all find ourselves in."
Calthorpe doesn't reject technological fixes (he believes renewable energy sources will get cheaper and more ubiquitous) but he sees urbanism as a more effective means of reducing our individual energy use than switching to electric cars:
"A chief virtue of urbanism, he avers, is that it 'naturally tends toward a 'small is beautiful' philosophy.' 'Compact development does mean smaller yards, fewer cars, and less private space for some. On the other hand, it can dramatically reduce everyday costs and leave more time for family and community.'"
Thanks to Robert Steuteville
Read the full story: Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change
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Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
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The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello