Pre-Order Planet of Cities

+ Brandon Fuller

Solly Angel’s new book, Planet of Cities, is now available for pre-order through Amazon and the Lincoln Institute for Land Policy website, where you can also download the first chapter. Here’s an excerpt from a recent Lincoln Institute press release:

"Although concern about sprawl in the United States, and to a certain extent recently in China, has focused on smart growth, containment, urban growth boundaries, compactness, and density, that approach is not appropriate for cities in developing countries where population densities are four times greater than in U.S. cities. Those areas are likely to more than triple their developed land areas by 2050.

Planet of Cities instead suggests a “making room” paradigm to come to terms with the expected expansion of cities, particularly in the rapidly urbanizing countries in Asia and Africa, and to make the minimally necessary preparations.

The paradigm is predicated on four propositions:

1. The expansion of cities due to urban population growth cannot be contained. Instead we must make adequate room to accommodate it.
2. City densities must remain within a sustainable range. If density is too low, it must be allowed to increase, and if it is too high, it must be allowed to decline.
3. Strict containment of urban expansion destroys the homes of the poor and puts new housing out of reach for most people. Decent housing for all can be ensured only if urban land is in ample supply.
4. As cities expand, the necessary land for public streets, public infrastructure networks, and public open spaces must be secured in advance of development."

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