Urbanism Without Effort

This highly illustrated E-ssential explores the idea that to create vibrant, sustainable urban areas for the long term, we must first understand “what happens naturally when people congregate in cities---innate, unprompted interactions of urban dwellers with each other and their surrounding urban and physical environment.” Wolfe elaborates on the perspective that the underlying rationales for urban policy, planning and regulation are best understood from a historical perspective and in a better understanding of the everyday uses of urban space. He draws on his professional experiences as a land use and environmental lawyer, providing compelling vignettes from everyday urban life.

Successful community, Wolfe argues, is among the first principles of what makes humans feel happy, and therefore city dwellers invariably celebrate environments where and when they can co-exist safely, in a mutually supportive way. Wolfe believes such celebration is most interesting when it occurs spontaneously—seemingly without effort. He believes it is critical to first isolate these spontaneous and latent examples of successful urban land use, before applying any prescriptive government policies or initiatives.

Relatively little contemporary urbanist writing presents themes with rich illustrations and reinterpretation of past urban examples and ordinary urban life. Wolfe writes about the past and the future of urban form, offering readers both inspiration, historical context, and a better understanding of how a sustainable, inviting urban environment is created. This E-ssential will appeal primarily to professionals and students in planning and land use, as well as Wolfe’s broader audience which regularly enjoys his writing in The Atlantic and Huffington Post.