Optional Reading List - Fall 2010

Part of being in a graduate-level planning program is hearing about all the wonderful things that can (and really should) be read as part of your education. Of course, there's never enough time to read everything, so some very good works get set to the side. (We've also been told we will never be good planners until we've read them all, though I'm hoping that is a bit of professorial hyperbole!)

The works, and my understanding of them, are below. If the descriptions are inaccurate, then it's because I misunderstood and I'd appreciate a heads-up!

Walden Two, by B.F. Skinner, was recommended by Dr. Zovanyi. It is a fictional work portraying a rural utopia in which democracy and capitalism are abandoned and where children are reared according to the principles of behaviorism.

Aftershock: The Next Economy and America's Future, by Robert Reich, was recommended by first year graduate student Karl Almgren. A non-fiction work focused on how to reverse the increase of "income inequality" and the decreasing size of the middle class.

How the Irish Saved Civilization, by Thomas Cahill and recommended by Dr. Winchell. When the "dark ages" descended over Europe, the knowledge of the past was lost to areas dominated by the church. But, there were some places the church did not go....

Redesigning the American Dream, by Dolores Hayden, recommended by Dr. Winchell. A non-fiction critique of the suburbs and exposing the social isolation which has torn at the fabric of society.

You Owe Yourself a Drunk, by James P. Spradley, recommended by Dr. Winchell. A non-fiction ethnography looking into the lives of urban nomads (city dwellers who have no home), including the realization that you must be in a culture to be allowed to see it. In this case, he uncovered a governmental scandal in the process.

Bowling Alone, by Robert Putnam, recommended by everyone. A non-fiction work which provides results from studies of "social capital," and what it means, for instance, that even though more people go bowling now than in the past, why there are fewer bowling leagues.

The Death and Life of Great American Cities, by Jane Jacobs, non-fiction recommended by Dr. Winchell. An explanation about how cities work, and don't work, from a resident of New York City who delivers a blistering critique of urban "renewal" activities in inner city neighborhoods.

Garden Cities of To-morrow, by Ebenezer Howard, non-fiction recommended by Dr. Hurand. Though a stenographer, Howard described a way of constructing Utopian city clusters out in the countryside in an attempt to avoid big city problems.

Better Not Bigger, by Eben Fodor, non-fiction recommended by Dr. Zovanyi. Fodor argues that the earth cannot sustain us as we currently live, so it is time for us to find a lifestyle that emphasizes quality over quantity.

The Image of the City, by Kevin Lynch, recommended by Dr. Winchell. Non-fiction. Lynch presents results from a study which indicates how people interpret what they see when they're in a place. From this, he provides a model by which we can analyze, and create, places.

Idiocracy, directed by Mike Judge. Fictional video recommended by Dr. Winchell. A dystopian comedy about two Americans who sleep for 500 years to find a world on the brink of disaster from, well...too many idiots in the world. Rated R for language and sex-related humor.

Four the future - December 7

After only one day, I've decided to change the format. If I wait for a full week, the list will be too long and you won't want to go through them. So, let's try this: "Four" the future...a list of four stories related to planning. Yeah, it's cheesy. I like cheese, so sue me.

• EPA moving to regulate greenhouse gas emissions
  Source: Spokesman-Review, 091208
  Summary: The Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to regulate pollutants, such as CO₂, and may do so without the need for additional legislation.
  Opinion: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for this act during the Bush administration when it told a reluctant EPA that it had authority to do so. It would be a bold move, and one that may raise the ire of congressional Republicans, and some "blue dog" Democrats.


• Grant to offset Antoine costs
  Source: Spokesman-Review, 091208
  Summary: A State of Washington grant reimbursed Spokane County for about half the cost of the purchase of Antoine Peak.
  Opinion: If the County wants to reduce its budget woes while increasing the amount of money it receives from state grants, it could get serious about the Conservation Futures program by instituting an open space impact fee so that as the region grows, we can preserve a proportional amount of land from suburban sprawl.


• Shuttles are green in deed
  Source: Spokesman-Review, 091209
  Summary: Diesel-electric hybrid buses replacing the downtown trolleys were purchased as a result of a cost analysis--maintenance costs are only 11 cents per mile, as opposed to standard diesel buses at 65 cents per mile.
  Opinion: One of the side effects of Washington's statutory division between capital and operational costs is that it is rare that jurisdictions are willing to pay more for capital costs which reduce operational costs. Spokane Transit is to be commended for this move. Now, if only they would apply that to the rail discussion. (And Spokane County for its confinement facility.)


• What Would Jane Say?
  Source: Inlander, 091210
  Summary: Jan Jacobs, the highly respected urban economist, would not approve of the choices being made with regards to the YMCA building at Riverfront Park. Robert Herold, the author of this opinion piece, points out that more open space will not make Riverfront Park better, just bigger.
  Opinion: Herold is correct. Riverfront Park is beginning to be too diluted with a lack of demand attractions. We must bring in more retail and entertainment activities to the park, thereby increasing the number of reasons for people go there. A lively park is economically useful and safer. Making even more dark spaces at night is just inviting inappropriate activities into our regional urban park. Use the Conservation Futures money for its intended purpose, and rescue Riverfront Park at the same time.

Weekly planning articles

This quarter, as part of the Introduction to Urban and Regional Planning class, I was required to monitor the Spokesman-Review for stories related to planning and keep a log. I think the point was to get us in the habit of doing it. I was already doing it as part of my past endeavors, so I may have pointed out more than was necessary.

Having done that now for about 10 weeks, I'm going to start posting them here. I would post the older stories, but I don't have non-payment links for them. Hopefully, I can keep up so I can capture the links as they occur.

I don't intend to limit myself to the Spokesman. Clearly, the Pacific Northwest Inlander is also a good source for news about planning in the region (and, in fact, may be better as they tend to go more in depth). If you have links to share, please email them to me or post them in the comments.

• Mr. Out There
  Source: Inlander, 091203
  Summary: Newly sworn-in Spokane City Councilmember Jon Snyder talks to the Inlander and much of it is planning-related: complete streets, electric buses, economic development.
  Opinion: Planning may very well have a friend here. We'll have to see if his instincts can be translated into effective action in a legislative role. And, hey, Jon: electric buses are not cheaper than electric rail. They are, in the long run, more expensive because you need a driver for each one while rail cars chain.


• Rekindling Kendall
  Source: Inlander, 091203
  Summary: Greenstone Corporation will be taking over Kendall Yards, and will try to develop it as part of the West Central neighborhood. Construction should be underway in Summer 2010.
  Opinion: Greenstone is a very successful planning and development organization. If anyone can make this project get off the ground, it's them, provided they don't run into the same kinds of bizarre, politically-motivated hurdles they've encountered in other Washington cities (yes, I'm talking about you Medical Lake and Liberty Lake).


• Spokane, STA weigh downtown trolleys
  Source: Spokesman-Review, 091207.
  Summary: The City of Spokane and Spokane Transit Authority are performing a study of electric transit options between Mission and 14th, Perry and Latah Creek.
  Opinion: Rapid transit is an important element of a regional transportation system. Unfortunately, STA is an unreliable partner is any such effort, opting only to appear as though they're functional and spreading falsehoods because they know they can get away with it. Perhaps the new members of the Spokane City Council will call them out. (And if you're wondering why I said "they're functional" rather than "it's functional," it's because it is several members of the board and CEO who are the problem, not the drivers nor even a significant portion of the management.)


• U.N. says climate goals in reach
  Source: Spokesman-Review, 091207.
  Summary: Delegates from around the world are gathering in Copenhagen to discuss a UN treaty on global climate change. U.N. Environment Program Director Achim Steiner says that a deal at Copenhagen is not impossible.
  Opinion: Even if a deal is possible, it won't be ratified in the US Senate, so it will be meaningless.