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This review is from: Triumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier and Happier (Hardcover)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Programme (What's this?)
Okay, you live in a rural area and are involved with agriculture, or work in the fishery industry, this book will not be of much use or interest to you in general, but if you live in a city, are interested in city planning, or how cities work, then this book will be of much interest. I must admit that I spent most of last night laying awake reading this as I became so absorbed.
Edward Glaeser takes us on a trip through what makes a great booming city that brings in much needed capital to a country, and why they work, with examples of badly run cities that either struggle, or are in decline. Also he shows that those in decline can make dramatic comebacks. Some of the stuff in this book you will already know, some of it is just common sense, but some of it could end up blowing your mind. Some things may seem counter-intuitive, but when you look into them more deeply you see that they are correct.
With real examples Glaeser shows how legislation may not be the best way to go for affordable housing, and that by building up and supplying more space we could actually bring house prices and rents down. This book is agenda setting with regards to Glaeser's views and theories, but even if you don't necessarily agree with his points he at least shows you why he believes them, and the reasoning behind them.
All in all this is a great read that tries to answer such questions as how cities can be greener, healthier and happier places to live in, how good education can make a difference, how environmentalists can make bad decisions, and the importance of foresight and intelligence can make a city really great. This doesn't just take in economics, but environmentalism, history, and urban planning.