Green Urbanism Down Under: Learning from Sustainable Communities in AustraliaIn this immensely practical book, Timothy Beatley sets out to answer a simple question: what can Americans learn from Australians about “greening” city life? Green Urbanism Down Under reports on the current state of “sustainability practice” in Australia and the many lessons that U.S. residents can learn from the best Australian programs and initiatives. Australia is similar to the United States in many ways, especially in its “energy footprint.” For example, Australia’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions are second only to those of the United States. A similar percentage of its residents live in cities (85 percent in Australia vs. 80 percent in the United States). And it suffers from parallel problems of air and water pollution, a national dependence on automobiles, and high fossil fuel consumption. Still, after traveling throughout Australia, Beatley finds that there are myriad creative responses to these problems—and that they offer instructive examples for the United States. Green Urbanism Down Under is a very readable collection of solutions. Although many of these innovative solutions are little-known outside Australia, they all present practical possibilities for U.S. cities. Beatley describes “green transport” projects, “city farms,” renewable energy plans, green living programs, and much more. He considers a host of public policy initiatives and scrutinizes regional and state planning efforts for answers. In closing, he shares his impressions about how Australian results might be applied to U.S. problems. This is a unique book: hopeful, constructive, and filled with ideas that have been proven to work. It is a “must read” for anyone who cares about the future of American cities. |
Other editions - View all
Green Urbanism Down Under: Learning from Sustainable Communities in Australia Timothy Beatley,Peter Newman No preview available - 2008 |
Green Urbanism Down Under: Learning from Sustainable Communities in Australia Timothy Beatley,Peter Newman No preview available - 2008 |
Common terms and phrases
actions activity Adelaide areas Australia Australian cities become biodiversity Brisbane building bush bushland called centers city’s climate collection commitment conservation Council created creative culture ecological efforts elements encouraged energy environment environmental example existing extensive Figure forests Fremantle funding future gardens given goal green groups grow growth habitat heritage housing hundred ideas important impressive initiatives interesting involved koala land landscape living major Melbourne ment million native natural neighborhood organic parks participants percent perhaps Perth Photo credit plant production recent reduce region regional plan residents resource restoration result sense significant social solar South space species stories strategy street sustainability Sydney things thousand town trees United urban