Eric Weiner's "The Geography of Genius" offers a delightful, if limited, analysis of cities throughout history where "genius" has arisen and offers inspiration for planners who want to make cities more than just places to live and do business.
"Taken seriously, 'Geography of Genius' is a troubling book, lauding a scant few individuals throughout history who, by a combination of talent, relative privilege, and good fortune qualify as 'geniuses.' Fortunately, we don’t have to take it that seriously. Its strength and weakness that it is not a rigorous scholarly review but rather a romp through human achievement – and the cities where it has taken place."
"Weiner explains the intuitive notion that most forms of genius require collaboration and, by extension, urban agglomeration. Tech entrepreneurs require programmers and funders. Philosophers require other philosophers. One of Weiner’s refrains is that genius emerges according to what a populace values. Weiner writes, “What is honored in a [place] will be cultivated there.” Viennese love their classical music the way San Franciscans love their convenience."
"The cluster of cities between San Jose and San Francisco 'is not a city,' Weiner writes; 'it is suburban sprawl, which all the California sunshine and digital pixie dust can't hide.' Its success seems to undermine all those nice notions of strolling and quaffing. Indeed, if drinking and walking are key to genius, most modern American cities are doomed."
Read the full story: Intellectual Tourism, Near and Far: Review of 'The Geography of Genius'
Foolish Utopianism in Today's Top Architecture
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10 great urban planning summer reads
Wherever you're going (or staying) this summer, here are some suggestions for books to bring along.
Review: "An Even Better Way to Zone"
Don Elliot’s sophisticated and much-anticipated follow up to "A Better Way to Zone" tackles equity, affordability and provides a better blueprint from theory to application.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
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Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
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LAX SkyLink opening delayed again, contractor won’t commit to new deadline
The project was supposed to open its doors to the public in 2023.
Caltrain may slash over one-third of its stations
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A 'dangerous' precedent: North Carolina successfully pressures communities into voting for toll roads
Two mayors resigned from the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization after it voted in favor of the toll roads.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
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Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello