Green Urbanism: Learning from European Cities

As a college student with a focus on planning and green design I found Timothy Beatley's book inspiring. So inspiring in fact that I am travelling to Europe this fall in search of solutions to urban issues of sustainability which can be used in the states. I agree with the reviewer who said that there are large differences in structure, funding and politics in Northern Europe but I strongly disagree with his dismissive assertion that those solutions are irrelevant or impossible in the United States. What exists is possible. Livable, walkable, sustainable cities are important for people everywhere and we should look for ideas anywhere we can get them. As for Beatley's "slanted" case studies, he includes at the end of each chapter examples of similar initiatives and programs in American cities. Personally I don't think the author is scolding American cities for not being progressive so much as offering examples of what is possible. Are we capable of "Learning From European Cities?" Absolutely. Can they be adapted to the realities of American cities? Of course.

Beatley shows there is much to learn from the Europeans when it come to the ecological and environmental city planning. Although it would be hard to implement European planning practices on American soil, it brings a new, and beneficial perspective that many can use towards an incremental change.