Articles and books
THE UPSIDE OF A DOWN ECONOMY
by Fred Kent
 The stumbling global economy, vulnerable energy supply, and loss of confidence
in far-flung markets are being balanced by a surge of interest in things local:
production of local food, promotion of public spaces, and perhaps most important,
the rediscovery of meaningful ways to belong to a community.
Although new economic theories point to a fundamental shift in how city and regional
economies function, more and more people around the world are expressing an interest
in learning how to make their local assets into destinations within their cities
that work as catalysts of economic growth. As a result, quality-of-life factors
such as vibrant public spaces and more livable cities increasingly could become
major economic drivers in attracting and retaining that capital.
www.pps.org
THE DICTIONARY OF URBANISM
by Rob Cowan
 What is the difference between disurbanisation and desuburbanisation? Who lives
in Cactusville or suffers from link wilt? What is wrong with dingbats? Where are
Dulburb, Dullborough, Dullsville and Dulston? When does suburbia become slurbia?
What is a sustainable community?
The Dictionary of Urbanism is a comprehensive and often irreverent reference
for everyone whose business or passion is cities. It defines and explains almost
every word or phrase that a councillor, developer, built environment professional,
community activist or urban explorer is likely to hear or read.
The 500-page dictionary has been hailed as the standard reference on urban design,
planning, regeneration and the culture of cities. Written by Robert Cowan and
illustrated by Lucinda Rogers, it is published in hardback by the Streetwise Press.
"Remarkably, there has never been a dictionary of urban terms before. Robert
Cowan’s new dictionary, a lexicographical first, is a fine achievement. He has
collected an astonishing variety of names, terms and buzz words in entries that
range from deeply informative essays on words like ‘community’ and ‘sustainable’
to light-hearted ones on the dress codes of construction industry professionals.
With his sharp eye for the absurdity of some urban terminology this is more than
just a dictionary, but a wry commentary on the whole practice of urbanism."
Professor Adrian Forty, author of Words and Buildings: a vocabulary of modern
architecture.
URBANWORDS
www.urbandesignskills.com
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