It's not hard to understand why this is the top recommended book by participants in the PlannersWeb survey. Jacobs' 1961 text has been one of the most influential in the field of planning. It is chock full of insights into how the built environment works, with an especially strong focus on the role of pedestrian oriented streets in shaping neighborhoods. While much of Jacobs' book is focused on big cities, many of her points will have value even for those who live in small towns or suburban areas. This is a book that every citizen seriously interested in planning should, at some point, read.

"Jane Jacobs classic book is one that, even though older, gives a lot of inspiration to the idea of good planning and neighborhood values."
-- King Leonard, Planning and Design Consultant, Lompoc, CA

This is one of the landmark works in how land use planning can take into account ecological considerations. McHarg pioneered in the use of environmental overlays to demonstrate how development can be sited while minimizing negative impacts on valuable areas, such as woodlands, wetlands, prime agricultural soils, and water resources.

This is a modern day jeremiad against the way the built environment has evolved in the last few decades. As Kunstler asserts right at the start, "Eighty percent of everything ever built in America has been built in the last fifty years, and most of it is depressing, brutal, ugly, unhealthy, and spirtually degrading." This is a highly opinionated book, but one that will resonate with many readers. To get a flavor of the book, take a look at the article Kunstler wrote for the Planning Commissioners Journal, How to Mess Up a Town.

"Should be read by all public officials and developers."
-- John Jakubs, Associate Professor of Geography, Columbia, SC

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"absolutely fascinating in its simplicity and common sense."
-- Joseph Musso, Chairman, York City, PA, Planning Commission

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"A wonderful, in-depth, yet readable 'tour de force' of the best in land use planning principles. if you can only read one book, this is the one!"
-- Lee A. Krohn, AICP, Planning Director, Town of Manchester, Vermont

An excellent, well-illustrated and written, resource for planners dealing with development in rural and outlying suburban areas. Arendt sets out a process that works to preserve valuable open space and natural areas, while accommodating development. Some of the ideas more fully explored in Rural by Design are set out in Open Space Zoning: What It Is and Why It Works, an article Arendt wrote for the Planning Commissioners Journal. For more information about Randall Arendt and some of his other books.

"An information-laden (if expensive) tome with lots of information, illustrations, and case studies."
-- Martha Morss, Planning Commissioner (RPC), Knox County, OH

"Concisely argues for a moral obligation to do what tends to be right for the environment."
-- Mike Kornmann, GIS Planner, Green Bay, WI

An engrossing book on how people perceive their surroundings. Hiss looks at what works and what doesn't -- and explains why. As the author notes, "our relationship with the places we know and meet up with ... is a close bond, intricate in nature, and not abstract, not remote at all ... the danger, as we are now beginning to see, is that whenever we make changes in our surroundings, we can all too easily shortchange ourselves, by cutting ourselves off from some of the sights or sounds, the shapes or textures, or other information from a place that have helped mold our understanding and are now necessary for us to thrive."

An excellent sourcebook, organized in a progression of short topical sections -- one linked to another. Can be used as a reference source or can be read as a narrative on the elements that make up towns and cities. It's a book I regularly turn to for ideas.

One of the books that first interested me in planning. An inside look at how zoning works in practice, written by one of the nation's top land use lawyers.

"Although old (1966), this book provides good background information and philosophy behind planning issues."
-- R.J. Peters, Planning Commissioner, Sidney, NE