New Book — Sustainable Nation: Urban Design Patterns for the Future by Douglas Farr, Forward by Janette Sadik-Khan

After I met Douglas Farr at a St. Louis event in 2012 I traveled to Bloomington-Normal to experience some of his work, see What Is Normal? A Small College Town In Central Illinois. Being a fan off his work I was delighted when I received his latest book: Sustainable Nation: Urban Design Patterns for the Future:

As a follow up to his widely acclaimed Sustainable Urbanism, this new book from author Douglas Farr embraces the idea that the humanitarian, population, and climate crises are three facets of one interrelated human existential challenge, one with impossibly short deadlines. The vision of Sustainable Nation is to accelerate the pace of progress of human civilization to create an equitable and sustainable world. The core strategy of Sustainable Nation is the perfection of the design and governance of all neighborhoods to make them unique exemplars of community and sustainability. The tools to achieve this vision are more than 70 patterns for rebellious change written by industry leaders of thought and practice. Each pattern represents an aspirational, future-oriented ideal for a key aspect of a neighborhood. At once an urgent call to action and a guidebook for change, Sustainable Nation is an essential resource for urban designers, planners, and architects.

I’ve had the hardcover book since April but haven’t had a chance to look at it until yesterday. The volume of detail is substantial. As usual. I like to show the contents so you can see how the book is organized:

• Part One Our Default World
  • Chapter 1: Where We Are
  • Chapter 2: Case Studies: The Future Ahead of Schedule
• Part Two Our Preferred Future
  • Chapter 3: Where We Want to Go
• Part Three Theory of Change
  • Chapter 4: Theory of Change
  • Chapter 5: Time
  • Chapter 6: Acceleration Strategies
• Part Four Patterns of Change
  • Chapter 7: Collective Effervescence
  • Chapter 8: Self-Governing Neighborhoods
  • Chapter 9: A Theater of Life
  • Chapter 10: Vibrant Density
  • Chapter 11: Mobility in Walkable Places
  • Chapter 12: Neighborhood Economy
  • Chapter 13: Urban Waters
  • Chapter 14: Stranded Carbon
  • Chapter 15: The New Health, Safety, and Welfare
• Index

It’s part four where Farr lays out the specifics on getting to a sustainable future — building patterns to get us there. A year ago Farr discussed some of his research for this book at CNU25 (Congress for the New Urbanism):

As I haven’t studied the book and what it advocates, I can’t say if he’s on the right path or not. What I do love is he’s working solutions ro serious problems that need to be addressed — especially in St. Louis.

This looks to be a great book for anyone studying or working in related fields, unfortunately the hardcover lists for $80.  You can view a preview on Google Books. It’s available via Left Bank Books, Amazon, and others.

— Steve Patterson