Category Archives: books

The Beauty of the Contrasting-Chaotic City Form

Posted on October 3, 2018 by

As urban planners we have a tendency to emphasize the importance and efficiency of the traditional grid street pattern. Compared to the disconnected neighborhoods and subdivisions constructed over the past 75 years, the traditional street grid is far and away … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Cars, Cities, culture, density, downtown, Europe, geography, government, health, historic preservation, history, infrastructure, land use, Maps, North America, pictures, placemaking, planning, Portugal, spatial design, sprawl, topography, tourism, traffic, transit, transportation, Travel, urban planning, zoning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Doomsday Bunker Cities and Towns

Posted on June 27, 2018 by

The following post lists known bunker cities and towns that have been built as a way to survive a nuclear or biological holocaust and/or maintain continuity of government. Many were constructed during the Cold War era, some of which are … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptive reuse, architecture, book reviews, books, cities, geography, Geology, historic preservation, history, Housing, humanity, infrastructure, land use, place names, politics, tourism, tunnels | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

“Just Mercy” Will Rip Your Heart to Shreds

Posted on June 11, 2018 by

In all my years, I have never read a more disturbing, yet compelling book. The injustice and inhumanity described in Just Mercy will literally rip your heart to shreds and bring tears to your eyes. Just Mercy must be made … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, art, book reviews, books, charities, civics, Civil Rights, civility, culture, diversity, history, human rights, humanity, inclusiveness, injustice, literature, politics, poverty, reading, social equity, Statistics, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Tasty Slice of “Tibetan Peach Pie”

Posted on June 1, 2018 by

If you want to read a book that will put a smile on your face and have you chuckling throughout, then serve yourself up a hearty and tasty slice of Tibetan Peach Pie by author Tom Robbins. Subtitled A True Account … Continue reading →

Posted in book reviews, books, culture, fun, history, humanity, Language, literature, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Tally of Food Truck Courts, Lots, Parks, and Pods 

Posted on May 21, 2018 by

Here’s my working tally of permanent or semi-permanent (seasonal) food truck courts, lots, parks, and pods that are open to the public on most, if not all, days of the week. The list does NOT include temporary rodeos, events, festivals, … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Cuisine, culture, diversity, economic development, economic gardening, Food, food systems, food trucks, fun, geography, inclusiveness, land use, new urbanism, placemaking, planning, Small business, spatial design, third places, tourism, Travel, urban planning | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Advice from a Saguaro cactus

Posted on March 23, 2018 by

Came across this list on a bookmark of all things. A little fun on a Friday evening. Stand tall Reach for the stars Be patient through the dry spells Conserve your resources Think long term Wait for your time to … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Communications, Environment, geography, Nature, peace, Uncategorized, Wildlife | Tagged | Leave a comment

Favorite dystopian literature and films – update #3

Posted on January 11, 2018 by

Dystopian literature is my favorite genre of fiction and dystopian films are one of my top choices in cinema. Below, I have listed my favorite classic (25 years or older) and modern (less 25 years old) dystopian stories. They are … Continue reading →

Posted in art, book reviews, books, Communications, culture, family, feminism, film, fun, futurism, history, human rights, humanity, literature, movies, pictures, Science, Science fiction, technology, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Driving and striving to survive a broken ‘Merica

Posted on January 6, 2018 by

I will never, ever look at a recreational vehicle, van, motor home, or campground the same way again. Not since reading Jessica Bruder’s engrossing, informative, and heartbreaking new book entitled Nomadland. I have long imagined, envied, and eagerly anticipated my … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, ageism, art, book reviews, books, Cars, civics, civility, consumerism, culture, demographics, economics, Economy, family, geography, health, Health care, history, homelessness, Housing, human rights, humanity, Labor, literature, logistics, minimalism, politics, poverty, product design, reading, shopping, social equity, Statistics, transportation, Travel, unemployment, Women, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Favorites of 2017

Posted on December 27, 2017 by

One of my New Years resolutions for 2017 was to read more classic literature and watch classic films I have missed in the past. As you can see form this list, I have accomplished that, partially in thanks to TCM … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, art, book reviews, books, branding, cartoons, Communications, culture, entertainment, film, fun, history, internet, libraries, literature, movies, music, music reviews, reading, Science, Science fiction, Television, theaters, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fictional cities of dystopia – Updated

Posted on October 22, 2017 by

Often, dystopian tales involve the entire planet, particular nations, or recognizable cities like New York, Los Angeles, or London. However, a fair number of them are centered in a fictional city or town. The list below identifies those cities, along … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art, books, Cities, culture, film, geography, infrastructure, literature, movies, place names, skylines, skyscrapers, spatial design, Television, writing | Leave a comment