Stephen Rees's blog

Seven Rules for Sustainable Communities: Design Strategies for the Post Carbon World

a new book by Patrick M Condon is being launched shortly

With admirable clarity, UBC Professor Patrick M. Condon discusses transportation, housing equity, job distribution, economic development, and ecological systems issues and synthesizes his knowledge and research into a simple-tounderstand set of urban design rules that can, if followed, help save the planet. Using the Vancouver Region as his case study, he compares and contrasts the problems and progress of this region with those of other North American urban areas.  Of particular new importance is how city form aects the production of planet-warming greenhouse gases. Patrick Condon explains this relationship in an accessible way, and goes on to show how conforming to seven simple rules for community design could literally do a world of good. Each chapter in the book explains one rule in depth, adding a wealth of research to support each claim.

Book Launch

Time: 5:00 – 6:30pm, Monday, May 10th, 2010
Venue: SFU Harbour Centre, 1305 Teck Gallery Lounge
515 West Hastings Street
RSVP: Click here to RSVP for this event

Light refreshments and a cash bar will be provided

To download Chapter 2 click here : to tempt to you further, this chapter is entitled “Restore the Streetcar City”

Please note: I am passing this along as I know it will be of interest to readers here. However, I have not yet had time to read the chapter I have linked to, let alone get hold of the book itself. I am therefore not opening up a comment section. I intend to go to the book launch, and will certainly be writing about it, in due course. AsPatrick says “I am hoping this book has wide influence. The ideas are controversial, as you know. Just one example.”