Contemporary Urban Planning [Paperback]

John M. Levy (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0131466143 | ISBN-13: 978-0131466142 | Publication Date: January 1994 | Edition: 3rd

For introductory courses in urbanization, urban affairs, and urban problems. Based on the author's extensive experience as a working planner, this book gives students an insider's view of sub-state urban planning--the "nitty-gritty" details on the interplay of politics, law, money, and interest groups. The author takes a balanced, non-judgmental approach to introduce a range of ideological and political perspectives on the operation of political, economic, and demographic forces in city planning. Unlike other books on the subject, this text is strong in its coverage of economics, law, finance, and urban governance. It examines the underlying forces of growth and change and discusses frankly who benefits and loses by particular decisions.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Reflecting the author's many years' experience as a working planner, this text focuses on public planinng at the substate level -- that which is done by and for cities, counties, towns, and other units of local governments -- and examines much more briefly planning for metropolitan regions, the states, and the question of national planning. Throughout, it emphasizes politics, economics, ideology, law, and the question of who benefits and who loses by particular decisions. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Based on the author's extensive experience as a working city planner, this book gives an insider's view of sub-state urban planning—the "nitty-gritty" details of the interplay of politics, law, money, and interest groups. It examines the underlying forces of growth and change and discusses frankly who benefits and loses by particular decisions. Offers full chapter coverage of crime and the criminal justice system. Discusses in detail the problem of homelessness and its links to housing markets and planning practice. Provides an update on international efforts to deal with the greenhouse effect, with an account of the Kyoto summit on the matter. Updates material on traffic management techniques. For city planners, social workers, and other state or municipal employees who need a reference on urban planning. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall College Div; 3rd edition (January 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131466143
• ISBN-13: 978-0131466142
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,394,374 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Get a Broad spectrum of Urban Planning for the Beginner, July 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Contemporary Urban Planning (Paperback)

This book gives a broad spectrum of what to expect in the planning field, but there are a few flaws. One is that the book is not written for the technocratic planner, it is written for the beginner or someone who is not going to make planning their career. But this book will give the beginner a broad basis to start from and for this I do suggest the beginner to read this before they choose planning as a career.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good basic overview, July 20, 2008

By 

G. Festa (Richmond, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Contemporary Urban Planning (7th Edition) (Paperback)

I was thinking of enrolling in a masters program for Urban Planning, and wanted to get a better sense of what a planner did. This book offers a good overview of the field, and provides a basic understanding of the types of issues a planner might deal with. I would recommend it to anyone who is in my position, trying to learn more about the field. For anyone looking for more than just a basic, 1st level overview, this is not your book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars study guide, October 5, 2010

By 

planner - See all my reviews

This review is from: Contemporary Urban Planning (9th Edition) (Paperback)

As it is clear and concise, this book is a great overview for all aspects of the planning profession. I have ordered it (interlibrary loan) to study for the AICP examp, and am quite satisfied. It may be a bit too dry for a college level planning course, but an intro to planning graduate course, whether as part of MA or MPA programs, would be served well to utilize this book.