Market Urbanism

Liberalizing cities | From the bottom up

“Market Urbanism” refers to the synthesis of classical liberal economics and ethics (market), with an appreciation of the urban way of life and its benefits to society (urbanism). We advocate for the emergence of bottom up solutions to urban issues, as opposed to ones imposed from the top down.

Books for Beginner Urbanists

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Over at Where, Dan Lorentz identified the top 5 books that he considers “the basics of urbanism”, as well as a “Tall Stack of Other Suggestions”:

Based on that library visit, on posted comments from readers, on behind-the-scenes advice from Where contributors and my interpretation—from my own very amateurish (and American) perspective—of what counts as “accessible” and “concise,” here are five books about the basics of urbanism that I’d now recommend to relatively clueless, but curious friends.

Here’s what Dan chose for the top 5:

#1 The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs (1961)

 

#2: The Option of Urbanism by Christopher Leinberger (2007).

 

#3 The Geography of Nowhere by James Howard Kunstler (1993)

 

#4 Cities Back from the Edge by Roberta Gratz, with Norman Mintz (1998)

 

#5 How Cities Work by Alex Marshall (2000)

I have to add the caveat, that I wouldn’t necessarily suggest all of these as the best books for ideological Market Urbanists, especially since I haven’t read them all yet.  But, it seems like a great selection to get introduced to the main urbanist ideas if you haven’t been already.  Even ideologues should keep an open mind to alternative ideas. 

I guess this would fall under the category of introducing “Urbanism for Capitalists”.  I’ll have to follow up by recommending books introducing “Capitalism for Urbanists”, and finally essential reading for Market Urbanists.

What do you think of Dan’s list?  Have you read them?  What books would you pick?  How about the best books specifically for Market Urbanists?  And, the best books for introducing capitalism to urbanists?

If you haven’t noticed already, I’ve added some reading selections to the sidebars via Amazon.  I’d like to note that if you make purchases after being referred from this site, I get a small portion as a referral fee – even if you buy something else.  I don’t intend to be sales pitchy – this sight isn’t a money-maker for me, and I don’t intend it to be, but every little bit helps cover the modest expenses of maintaining the site.

  • It’s a wonkish book, but one that debunks one myth and does it damn well with empirical evidence: the idea that people don’t want to live in dense environments, and that the market would have guided us to our present land use/transportation situation even without all the government prodding. The book is called Zoned Out and it’s by Jonathan Levine.

    Also I’d add to that The High Cost of Free Parking by Donald Shoup. Though I haven’t actually read it, I’ve read enough reviews to know that he essentially does for parking what Levine does for zoning – meticulously proves, empirically, that we have more parking (and cheaper parking) than we’d have under a free market allocation.

    Neither of these would be good for someone getting started in urbanism/land use/transportation policy, but for those people who need to be absolutely convinced of an idea before they’ll believe it, these books go a long way.

  • It’s a wonkish book, but one that debunks one myth and does it damn well with empirical evidence: the idea that people don’t want to live in dense environments, and that the market would have guided us to our present land use/transportation situation even without all the government prodding. The book is called Zoned Out and it’s by Jonathan Levine.

    Also I’d add to that The High Cost of Free Parking by Donald Shoup. Though I haven’t actually read it, I’ve read enough reviews to know that he essentially does for parking what Levine does for zoning – meticulously proves, empirically, that we have more parking (and cheaper parking) than we’d have under a free market allocation.

    Neither of these would be good for someone getting started in urbanism/land use/transportation policy, but for those people who need to be absolutely convinced of an idea before they’ll believe it, these books go a long way.

  • Thanks Stephen. Those two books are the first that come to mind for Market Urbanists beyond Jacobs, and they are high on my “to read” list.

    Dan’s list makes me realize that I’m not as well read as I could be, but reminds me that the concepts become so intuitive to many people interested in places and the functioning of cities.

  • Thanks Stephen. Those two books are the first that come to mind for Market Urbanists beyond Jacobs, and they are high on my “to read” list.

    Dan’s list makes me realize that I’m not as well read as I could be, but reminds me that the concepts become so intuitive to many people interested in places and the functioning of cities.

  • I would add a note on Alex Marshall. Although he is good at explaining how networks form urban structure, he has a near-religious belief in the power of government. (At one point in the book he claims that stronger government could make tomatoes taste better.)

  • I would add a note on Alex Marshall. Although he is good at explaining how networks form urban structure, he has a near-religious belief in the power of government. (At one point in the book he claims that stronger government could make tomatoes taste better.)

  • Ha! Thanks for the warning!

    Of course, Government could, in theory, make tomatoes taste better. Just like they could send a man to the moon. But, not without cost to others, and thus doesn’t mean government making tomatoes taste better is a net benefit to society…

  • Ha! Thanks for the warning!

    Of course, Government could, in theory, make tomatoes taste better. Just like they could send a man to the moon. But, not without cost to others, and thus doesn’t mean government making tomatoes taste better is a net benefit to society…

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