Cities Back from the Edge: New Life for Downtown [Paperback]

Roberta Brandes Gratz (Author), Norman Mintz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 27, 2000

"A love song for the city . . . [this] volume, attractively packaged and richly illustrated, is really a cookbook for downtown revitalization." --Wall Street Journal

In this pioneering book on successful urban recovery, two urban experts draw on their firsthand observations of downtown change across the country to identify a flexible, effective approach to urban rejuvenation. From transportation planning and sprawl containment to the threat of superstore retailers, they address a host of key issues facing our cities today.

Roberta Brandes Gratz (New York, NY), an award-winning journalist and urban critic, is author of the urban design classic The Living City. A former staff reporter for the New York Post, Gratz has written for the New York Times Magazine and other publications. Norman Mintz (New York, NY) has played a leading role in the field of downtown revitalization for more than twenty-five years. He is Design Director at the 34th Street Partnership in New York City and a consultant on downtown revitalization across the country.

Editorial Reviews

Review

In Cities Back from the Edge, Gratz and Mintz offer a love song for the city...their volume, attractively packaged and richly illustrated, is really a cookbook for downtown revitalization. It turns out the most valuable contribution to urban understanding of the year isn't only a book, it's also a bumper sticker: Think globally, act locally."--The Wall Street Journal

Cities Back From the Edge was featured again in The New York Times. Frank Rich writes, "In their new book persuasively arguing for less grandiose, more indigenous urban renewal, Roberta Brandes Gratz and Norman Mintz write that a 'collection of visitor attractions does not add up to a city' whether those attractions are cultural centers, convention centers, aquariums, stadiums or enclosed malls."--The New York Times

"...provides a fascinating insight into the US Urban Design scenario..." (Urban Design, Autumn 2001)

From the Publisher

Many of America's downtowns are coming alive--again--through redevelopment to sustain growth into the 21st century. This book chronicles stories of how dozens of communities, downtowns, neighborhoods, main streets and big city business districts have revitalized buildings and businesses. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (January 27, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471361240
• ISBN-13: 978-0471361244
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 6.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #914,465 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breath of fresh city air, November 26, 1998

By 

James Tortolano (Garden Grove, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cities Back from the Edge: New Life for Downtown (Hardcover)

What a find! As a journalist whose community is undergoing redevelopment, I find that for me this book provides perspective and innovative thinking on the subject of how to make cities better. I don't mind the "preachiness" because it is a welcome antidote to the bland groupthink of so many planning "professionals" who sometimes do not seem to have one original thought among them. If you love cities -- especially if you love your city -- this is an inspiring, useful and informative book.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Informative but preachy, October 4, 1998

By 

Scott Singer ([e-mail]) (Southfield, Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cities Back from the Edge: New Life for Downtown (Hardcover)

Gratz and Mintz bring some interesting perspective to the study of urban renewal. The professional consulting experience brought forth by the authoring team provides some actual know-how about solving urban problems. The book's major drawback is its almost remedial preachiness. Oftentimes, the narrative is interrupted by the authors' lessons - lessons that are frequently placed in italics so as to ensure the reader does not miss their point. Personally, I enjoy forming my own opinions and conclusions based on an author's text; this book does it for you. Overall, not a bad book, still fascinating and impressive in the authors' knowledge of actual city circumstances. The research behind this work is very good.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful Analysis of Changing City Landscapes, August 19, 2002

By 

Matthew J. Fery (Dayton, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cities Back from the Edge: New Life for Downtown (Paperback)

In this text, Gratz and Mintz set out to establish guidelines and tips for city leaders, community activists, businesspeople, and regular citizens who seek to improve the status of their communities. They carefully outline what works, what does not work and why. Anyone interested in revilatizing downtown areas, setting up shop in a city, or running for office in an urban area should read this book as it will undoubtedly be helpful in creating a better understanding as to how cities can thrive in a new modern era.