Pondering the ‘Without Effort’ City

Melbourne, Australia, by the author.

Island Press first published an e-book version of the book, Urbanism Without Effort, in 2013, and a released a revised, paperback version last week. This book set the stage for my later book, Seeing the Better City, which was designed to implement my ideas about how to observe and document facets of urban change, and to guide how to put suggested “urban diaries” to work. A short excerpt from the newly revised Urbanism Without Effort paperback follows.

Common, latent characteristics of urban communities contribute to the heterogeneity of interesting, adaptable, desirable places. However, not all characteristics are present in all places at all times — the combination of factors is particular to each place, and what works well for one culture and place is not necessarily right for another.

What are the common characteristics, and how do they interact? How do the pieces work together to create more than just an assemblage

• Density and street life illustrate the marriage of movement and settlement and activate corners, squares, and streets around the clock, with pedestrian-scale buildings and street furniture.
• Mixed modes of transit — pedestrian, bicycle, car, public transportation — interact in a way that facilitates safety without strict separation. Pedestrians can navigate and explore easily with signage and…