The Social Vision of Alfred T. White

Alfred White at his death was eulogized as “the great heart and master-mind of Brooklyn’s better self” for his many forward-looking innovations in low-income housing and in promoting the welfare of poor children, for his ability to enlist others to this work, and for his insistence that rapidly growing Brooklyn retain a sense of community values. At a time when the divide between rich and poor is increasing, this book highlights the important work of this turn-of-the-century social visionary.

The seven essays in The Social Vision of Alfred T. White, edited by Wendy Walker, each examine an aspect of White’s work or a conclusion to be drawn from it, concentrating on housing. PPS Senior Vice President Kathy Madden contributes an essay.

Price: $22 Paperback  |  $30 Hardback

It’s A Sprawl World After All:

Without small towns to bring people together, the unplanned growth of sprawl has left Americans isolated, alienated and afraid of the strangers who surround them. Suburbia has substituted cars for conversation, malls for main streets, and the artificial community for television for authentic social interaction.

Provocative and thoughtful, It’s A Sprawl World After All advocates that urgent attention be paid to managing development by emulating the smart growth examples of European cities, and offers readers practical tools to rebuild community in their lives as well as in society at large.

Price: $17.95

The Natural Step for Communities:

Clarifying the often complex concepts of sustainability and sustainable development, The Natural Step for Communities offers a clear framework of guiding principles as well as inspiring examples of communities that have made dramatic changes toward sustainability. Through some sixty success stories from Swedish eco-municipalities that undertook significant change in numerous areas, such as harnessing renewable energy sources, protecting bio-diversity, offering alternatives to fossil-fueled vehicles and dealing with waste, these vignettes offer valuable lessons for others wishing to emulate their success.

Price: $24.95

Superbia!

Superbia! is a book of fun and practical ideas for creating more socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable neighborhoods. The authors first trace the history of the suburbs, showing how they fail to meet many people’s needs. They then describe how existing urban and suburban neighborhoods can be transformed using the authors’ 31 steps that range from “easier” to “boldest”. Examples from across North America provide real-life proof that citizens like you can create Superbia! – especially with the most comprehensive resource listing imaginable that puts all the tools needed at your fingertips.

Price: $24.95

Resources for Citizens and their Governments Towns and cities face increasing pressure to undertake development initiatives that are sustainable at the same time that more and more services are being downloaded to the municipal level. Caught in this trap between rising expectations on the one hand, and increasing costs on the other, local governments are required to be more creative than ever before. This newly revised third edition of the best-selling classic text offers practical suggestions and innovative solutions to a range of community problems, including, energy efficiency, transportation, land use, housing, waste reduction, recycling, air quality and governance.

In clear language, with updated tools, initiatives and resources, a new preface and foreword, this sustainable practices guide remains the best resource available for both citizens and governments.

Price: $22.95