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For example, the emphasis on green space is pleasant enough, but one must also stop to think what this green space would be replacing in certain areas. I am currently using this as a textbook for one of my classes, and a general consensus among the students is that the author sounds almost excessively elitist in his content. The consequences of such deeds and suggestions does not seem to have been considered to the extent it should be; furthermore, the discussion of "home" and what "home" should be seems greatly deterred when one finds themselves bogged down with the realization that these representations of what is "best" for "home" seem to be based on Beatley's own desire for home. While offering some highly favorable suggestions for the development of place and space (and describing in great detail the difference between the two), much of the focus, while on developing American landscapes-- presumably-- is on Western European urban designs, some of which would not fit well with our North American context. Likewise, while many of his suggestions would work exceptionally well-- it would seem-- in suburban landscapes, he seems to overlook-- or disregard-- the urban landscapes, which are those that seem to require the MOST change. not, in other words, the greater populace's ideas or desires for the matter. Again, interesting and educational matter, but I'd suggest taking it with a grain of salt when it comes to application.
What elements constitute a real community, and how is that sense of community changing in the wake of global connections. Timothy Beatley's Native To Nowhere: Sustaining Home And Community In A Global Age uses research and the author's own travels to communities across North America and Europe to examine concepts of place in modern life. Trends which have undermined these roots, new ideas set forth to maintain connections, and descriptions of designs, technological considerations, and new political structures for sustaining these modern ideas of community are all considered in chapters which will appeal to college-level students of social issues as well as concerned general-interest adult readers.
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