Cities Back from the Edge : New Life for Downtown

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Summary: Informative but preachy
Review: Gratz and Mintz bring some interesting perspective to the study of urban renewal. The professional consulting experience brought forth by the authoring team provides some actual know-how about solving urban problems. The book's major drawback is its almost remedial preachiness. Oftentimes, the narrative is interrupted by the authors' lessons - lessons that are frequently placed in italics so as to ensure the reader does not miss their point. Personally, I enjoy forming my own opinions and conclusions based on an author's text; this book does it for you. Overall, not a bad book, still fascinating and impressive in the authors' knowledge of actual city circumstances. The research behind this work is very good.

Rating:
Summary: Informative but preachy
Review: Gratz and Mintz bring some interesting perspective to the study of urban renewal. The professional consulting experience brought forth by the authoring team provides some actual know-how about solving urban problems. The book's major drawback is its almost remedial preachiness. Oftentimes, the narrative is interrupted by the authors' lessons - lessons that are frequently placed in italics so as to ensure the reader does not miss their point. Personally, I enjoy forming my own opinions and conclusions based on an author's text; this book does it for you. Overall, not a bad book, still fascinating and impressive in the authors' knowledge of actual city circumstances. The research behind this work is very good.

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Summary: A must for anyone who cares about the future of our cities.
Review: Gratz's second book is enriched by those who reached out to her after the publication of her first book on Cities. The book literally explodes with examples of how communities and cities are being revitalized. In a clear and readable presentation Gratz and Mintz describe how residents with a vision can achieve unbelievable results despite public policies and public policy decision makers who often are out of touch with the aspirations and needs of people. The book is a must read for anyone who cares about the future of our communities, our cities and our environment.

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Summary: Insightful Analysis of Changing City Landscapes
Review: In this text, Gratz and Mintz set out to establish guidelines and tips for city leaders, community activists, businesspeople, and regular citizens who seek to improve the status of their communities. They carefully outline what works, what does not work and why. Anyone interested in revilatizing downtown areas, setting up shop in a city, or running for office in an urban area should read this book as it will undoubtedly be helpful in creating a better understanding as to how cities can thrive in a new modern era.

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Summary: needs an editor
Review: This book is disappointing in that the content is well-researched and important, but the organization is quite poor. It just rambles all over the place. I would suggest picking up a copy of Suburban Nation or something by Calthorpe or Moe, for more user-friendly tomes, and of course it is always helpful to reread Jane Jacobs and Christopher Alexander (Pattern Language).

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Summary: What it is that makes a city, basically, nice
Review: This book provides some success stories of how individuals and small organizations saved, rehabilited, prepared, and then feasted on the results of constructive reuse of their city.

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Summary: Author's Web Site
Review: Urban rebirth -- how it happens, where it happens, who makes it happen -- is not so mysterious. Because experts make it seem complicated does not mean it is complicated. No single issue, however, defines urban rebirth. Big project development vs modest, organic growth. Small business vs Superstores. Public markets vs enclosed malls. Public transit vs highways. Trolley car suburbs vs automobile suburbs. Community-based development vs top-down development. Public spaces for people vs empty sites. Everything is connected. All are tied together in Cities Back From the Edge to illustrate how the rebirth process works. To learn more, visit our web page at http://www.change.org./cities/ and read the introduction.

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Summary: great and informative
Review: very informative. some experts may not wish to hear the truth in this book.

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Summary: Breath of fresh city air
Review: What a find! As a journalist whose community is undergoing redevelopment, I find that for me this book provides perspective and innovative thinking on the subject of how to make cities better. I don't mind the "preachiness" because it is a welcome antidote to the bland groupthink of so many planning "professionals" who sometimes do not seem to have one original thought among them. If you love cities -- especially if you love your city -- this is an inspiring, useful and informative book.