Cities Alive: Jane Jacobs, Christopher Alexander, and the Roots of the New Urban Renaissance

Cities are experiencing a renaissance today, because we've begun to understand how they really work -- and how to make them work better for people.

This book is a lively, readable account of two revealing figures in the history of that renaissance: the urban economist Jane Jacobs and the architect Christopher Alexander. Their key insights have shaped several generations of scholars, professionals, and activists. However, as the book argues, this renaissance is still immature, and more must be done to achieve its promise -- especially in an age of rapid, often sprawling urbanization.

The author is a noted scholar on both Jacobs and Alexander, and a participant in the development of the "New Urban Agenda," a historic United Nations agreement emphasizing the pivotal role of cities and towns in meeting the challenges of the future. As the book documents, Jacobs and Alexander played key roles in formulating the conceptual insights behind the New Urban Agenda, and they continue to offer us crucial implementation lessons for the years ahead.

This book is ideal for students, professionals, government officials, activists, and anyone who is interested in the future of cities.

"An important analysis for urbanism--now and in the coming decades."  -- Robert Steuteville, Public Square journal  "Lively and easy to read... The final chapters really shine, outlining the ways that their "complex systems thinking" produce key concepts for urban planning and design, translating their work into useful knowledge and practices."   -- Setha Low, Director, Public Space Research Group, The Graduate Center CUNY  
"I can't think of anyone better to write this important book than Michael Mehaffy - one of the most thoughtful and articulate writers on both Jane Jacobs and Christopher Alexander."   -- Fred Kent, President, Project for Public Spaces  "An important addition to the literature."  -- Steven W Semes, historian of architecture and urbanism, University of Notre Dame  "I find his voice as a writer fascinating and compelling."   -- Christopher Alexander, architect and author