Reading List

Ported from the old blog archive. The books behind the Urban Design + Policy writing — transportation, housing, and education, plus a personal finance shelf.

Transportation & Urban Planning21 books

Happy City — Charles Montgomery (2013)
Explores the relationship between urban design and happiness, advocating for human-centric cities.
Streetfight — Janette Sadik-Khan (2016)
Chronicles the transformation of New York City's streets to prioritize pedestrians and cyclists.
Traffic — Tom Vanderbilt (2008)
Analyzes why we drive the way we do and how traffic systems can be improved.
Walkable City — Jeff Speck (2012)
Provides a ten-step approach to creating walkable cities that are lively, sustainable, and economically vibrant.
Triumph of the City — Edward Glaeser (2011)
Examines how cities foster innovation and economic growth, emphasizing the benefits of density.
The High Cost of Free Parking — Donald Shoup (2005)
Argues that free parking has negative impacts on cities and proposes reforms to parking policies.
The Death and Life of Great American Cities — Jane Jacobs (1961)
A classic critique of 1950s urban planning policies, advocating for community-based approaches.
Strong Towns — Charles L. Marohn Jr. (2019)
Discusses the financial implications of current development practices and suggests more sustainable community investments.
How to Kill a City — Peter Moskowitz (2017)
Investigates the causes and effects of gentrification in major American cities.
The Geography of Nowhere — James Howard Kunstler (1993)
Critiques suburban sprawl and the decline of America's built environment.
The Option of Urbanism — Christopher B. Leinberger (2008)
Advocates for walkable urbanism as the future of sustainable development.
Human Transit — Jarrett Walker (2011)
Offers a comprehensive guide to designing effective public transportation systems.
Cities for People — Jan Gehl (2010)
Emphasizes designing cities that prioritize people over cars to enhance urban life quality.
The Road to Ruin — Dom Nozzi (2003)
Criticizes car-centric urban planning and proposes strategies for creating more sustainable cities.
Suburban Nation — Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Jeff Speck (2000)
A manifesto for New Urbanism, advocating for the return to traditional neighborhood design.
A Better Way to Zone — Donald L. Elliott (2008)
Suggests practical reforms to outdated zoning laws to better support urban development.
Pedaling Revolution — Jeff Mapes (2009)
Explores the rise of cycling as a viable mode of urban transportation and its benefits.
Invisible Cities — Italo Calvino (1972)
A poetic exploration of imaginary cities that challenges readers to think about urban spaces creatively.
The Walkable City Rules — Jeff Speck (2018)
Provides 101 steps to make cities more walkable, drawing on extensive case studies and practical examples.
Carmageddon: How Cars Make Life Worse and What to Do About It — Daniel Knowles (2022)
Critiques the pervasive influence of cars on urban life and proposes sustainable alternatives to reduce car dependency.
Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World — Henry Grabar (2024)
Explores the profound impact of parking policies on urban development, economy, and culture, advocating for smarter parking solutions to enhance urban life.

Housing17 books

The Color of Law — Richard Rothstein (2017)
Examines how government policies enforced racial segregation in American cities, emphasizing the need for reform to promote housing equity.
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City — Matthew Desmond (2016)
Documents the struggles of eight families in Milwaukee as they face eviction and highlights the need for affordable housing policies.
Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America — Conor Dougherty (2020)
Chronicles the housing crisis in the San Francisco Bay Area and the fight for housing reform.
The Affordable City: Strategies for Putting Housing Within Reach (and Keeping it There) — Shane Phillips (2020)
Offers practical solutions to create and maintain affordable housing in cities, focusing on policy changes and community engagement.
Neighborhood Defenders: Participatory Politics and America's Housing Crisis — Katherine Levine Einstein, David M. Glick, Maxwell Palmer (2019)
Explores how local opposition to new housing developments contributes to the housing crisis, advocating for policy changes to reduce these barriers.
Generation Priced Out: Who Gets to Live in the New Urban America — Randy Shaw (2018)
Examines the impact of housing policies on urban affordability and advocates for inclusive housing policies to prevent displacement.
Zoned in the USA: The Origins and Implications of American Land-Use Regulation — Sonia A. Hirt (2014)
Analyzes the history and impact of zoning laws in the United States, arguing for reforms to promote more equitable housing development.
The Great Inversion and the Future of the American City — Alan Ehrenhalt (2012)
Discusses the trend of people moving back to urban centers and the implications for city planning and housing policies.
A Better Way to Zone: Ten Principles to Create More Livable Cities — Donald L. Elliott (2008)
Suggests practical reforms to outdated zoning laws to better support urban development and increase housing density.
The New Urban Crisis — Richard Florida (2017)
Explores the challenges of urbanization, including housing affordability, and suggests ways to create more inclusive cities.
High Density Housing for Families: A Design and Specification Guide — Edward Ng (Editor) (2005)
Provides guidelines for designing high-density housing that accommodates families, promoting livable and sustainable urban environments.
The Rent Is Too Damn High — Matthew Yglesias (2012)
Argues that restrictive zoning laws are the main cause of high housing costs and advocates for upzoning to increase housing supply.
Rethinking the Economics of Land and Housing — Josh Ryan-Collins, Toby Lloyd, Laurie Macfarlane (2017)
Explores the economic implications of land and housing policies and advocates for land value taxation as a solution to housing affordability issues.
Gimme Shelter: The Housing Crisis and a Blueprint for Change — Mary Ellen McCormick (2021)
Offers a comprehensive analysis of the housing crisis and presents policy solutions to create more affordable housing.
The Housing Boom and Bust — Thomas Sowell (2009)
Analyzes the causes and consequences of housing market fluctuations and suggests policy reforms to stabilize the market.
The Upzone Imperative: How Increasing Density Can Save Our Cities — Ann Thorpe (2023)
Advocates for upzoning as a necessary step to address housing shortages and promote sustainable urban growth.
Fixer-Upper: How to Repair America's Broken Housing Systems — Jenny Schuetz (2022)
Proposes a comprehensive approach to reforming housing policies to address affordability and promote inclusive urban development.

Education & Parenting23 books

The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them — Erin Gruwell (1999)
Chronicles the experiences of a teacher and her students in an inner-city school and their journey of empowerment through writing.
Work Hard. Be Nice.: How Two Inspired Teachers Created the Most Promising Schools in America — Jay Mathews (2009)
Chronicles the founding and success of the KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) charter school network, highlighting the dedication of its founders and teachers.
No Excuses: Lessons from 21 High-Performing, High-Poverty Schools — Samuel Casey Carter (2000)
Profiles successful high-poverty schools and identifies common practices and strategies that contribute to their success.
The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child — Ron Clark (2003)
Shares essential rules and principles for educators to help students succeed academically and personally.
The End of Molasses Classes: Getting Our Kids Unstuck-101 Extraordinary Solutions for Parents and Teachers — Ron Clark (2012)
Offers innovative strategies for engaging students and transforming classrooms to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Teach Like a Champion: 49 Techniques that Put Students on the Path to College — Doug Lemov (2010)
Presents effective teaching techniques to increase student engagement and achievement, based on observations of successful teachers.
Creative Schools: The Grassroots Revolution That's Transforming Education — Ken Robinson, Lou Aronica (2015)
Advocates for a personalized approach to education, emphasizing creativity and individualized learning to unlock every child's potential.
The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure — Greg Lukianoff, Jonathan Haidt (2018)
Explores the impact of overprotection and lack of resilience in today's youth and offers solutions for fostering independence and critical thinking.
Free-Range Kids: Giving Our Children the Freedom We Had Without Going Nuts with Worry — Lenore Skenazy (2009)
Encourages parents to allow their children more freedom and independence, challenging the culture of overprotection.
Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka (1991)
Provides strategies for understanding and nurturing spirited children, helping them thrive while maintaining family harmony.
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder — Richard Louv (2005)
Discusses the critical importance of nature for children's physical and mental well-being and advocates for reconnecting kids with the natural world.
How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character — Paul Tough (2012)
Investigates the role of character traits like perseverance and curiosity in children's success, challenging traditional measures of academic achievement.
Wild Child: Letting Children Be Children — Patrick Barkham (2020)
Explores the benefits of allowing children to engage freely with nature and learn through unstructured play.
Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids — Kim John Payne, Lisa M. Ross (2009)
Advocates for simplifying children's lives to reduce stress and promote well-being through less clutter and more meaningful experiences.
The Importance of Being Little: What Preschoolers Really Need from Grownups — Erika Christakis (2016)
Argues for the importance of respecting young children's intellectual capacities and providing rich, meaningful learning experiences.
Let Them Play: The Power & Joy of Mindful Sports Parenting — Jerry Lynch, Steve Kerr (2016)
Encourages a balanced approach to sports parenting, emphasizing fun and personal growth over competition and achievement.
Teaching with Love and Logic: Taking Control of the Classroom — Charles Fay, Jim Fay (1995)
Offers strategies for educators to create a positive classroom environment through empathetic and logical discipline methods.
The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives — William Stixrud, Ned Johnson (2018)
Advocates for empowering children with more control over their lives to foster motivation and resilience.
Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children — Angela J. Hanscom (2016)
Highlights the benefits of outdoor play for children's physical and emotional health, advocating for more unstructured playtime.
Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs — Ellen Galinsky (2010)
Identifies seven key skills crucial for children's success and provides practical tips for nurturing these skills.
Nature Preschools and Forest Kindergartens: The Handbook for Outdoor Learning — David Sobel (2016)
Offers guidance on creating nature-based early childhood education programs that promote exploration and learning in outdoor settings.
The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed — Jessica Lahey (2015)
Emphasizes the importance of allowing children to experience failure to develop resilience and problem-solving skills.
Punished by Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A's, Praise, and Other Bribes — Alfie Kohn (1993)
Critiques the use of rewards and incentives in education, advocating for intrinsic motivation and deeper learning.

Personal Finance10 books

The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy — Thomas J. Stanley, William D. Danko (1996)
Examines the habits and lifestyles of millionaires in America, revealing common traits and practices that contribute to their financial success.
Everyday Millionaires: How Ordinary People Built Extraordinary Wealth―and How You Can Too — Chris Hogan (2019)
Profiles everyday individuals who achieved millionaire status through hard work, smart saving, and strategic investing, offering practical insights and strategies for building wealth.
The Richest Man in Babylon — George S. Clason (1926)
Presents timeless financial principles and parables set in ancient Babylon, offering lessons on saving, investing, and building wealth that are still relevant today.
Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! — Robert T. Kiyosaki (1997)
Contrasts the financial philosophies of the author's "rich dad" and "poor dad," offering practical advice on investing, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.
One Up On Wall Street: How To Use What You Already Know To Make Money In The Market — Peter Lynch, John Rothchild (1989)
Shares insights and strategies from legendary investor Peter Lynch, emphasizing the importance of individual investors using their knowledge and observations to identify promising investment opportunities.
The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing — Benjamin Graham (1949)
Offers timeless principles of value investing, emphasizing the importance of thorough analysis, margin of safety, and long-term perspective in stock selection.
Unshakeable: Your Financial Freedom Playbook — Tony Robbins (2017)
Provides practical advice and strategies for achieving financial freedom and security, based on interviews with top financial experts and insights from behavioral economics.
The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness — Dave Ramsey (2003)
Outlines a step-by-step plan for getting out of debt, building wealth, and achieving financial freedom through budgeting, saving, and investing.
Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence — Vicki Robin, Joe Dominguez (1992)
Offers a holistic approach to financial independence, focusing on aligning spending and values, reducing expenses, and building passive income streams.
Rule #1: The Simple Strategy for Successful Investing in Only 15 Minutes a Week! — Phil Town (2006)
Outlines a straightforward approach to value investing based on the principles of Warren Buffett and Benjamin Graham, emphasizing the importance of buying quality companies at discounted prices and holding for the long term.