The planner's essential library

[Tobinn]

I did a brief search but didn't find a specific thread covering what we all believe to be the books every planner should have or at least strive to have or read.

I was inspired by the thread where the question was asked about historical planning and several books were suggested as must reads. I wasn't familiar with some of them and plan to have a closer look.

I wonder if it might be worthwhile for a sticky thread to start (kind of like the planners tool box thread) which covers this or somehow have the community at large create a growing master list? Unless of course that's been done here (meaning Cyburbia) and I just missed it.

Anyway, if such a list doesn't exist here I envision it to include title, author and a brief description.

Anyway, just a thought?

Feedback?

[Tvaw]

There's a good list herehttp://www.planetizen.com/books. They have it divided by year and also a Top 20 of all time. No surprise to find "The Death and Life of Great American Cities" on the top of the list.

[Tobinn]

There's a good list herehttp://www.planetizen.com/books. They have it divided by year and also a Top 20 of all time. No surprise to find "The Death and Life of Great American Cities" on the top of the list.

Thanks for the link - that was good. I'm going to (no pun intended) bookmark it (ok, a little pun intended).

I still think Cyburbia deserves a single running, updatable list of books Cyburbians have on their own bookshelves and/or books we turn to time and again for inspiration, ideas, validation...

[beach_bum]

Ok, I'll start

City Comforts by David Sucher
Readings in Planning Theory, Ed. Campbell & Fainstein
A Richer Heritage, Ed. Stipe
What Style is It?, Poppeliers & Chamber
Cases & Materials on Land Use, Callies, Freilich & Roberts

[NHPlanner]

My top 5:

The Practice of Local Government Planning - ICMA

Classic Readings in Urban Planning - Stein

The Small Town Planning Handbook - Daniels, Keller, Lapping

The Planner's Use of Information - Dandekar

The ABZ's of Planning Management - Zucker

[JNA]

The Green Book

My top 5:
The Practice of Local Government Planning - ICMA

There is the APA "The 100 Essential Books of Planning"
http://www.planning.org/centennial/g...nningbooks.pdf

Their list is 7 pages long and here is an example of their format:

The Practice of Local Government Planning
Frank So, et al.
1979
The “green book” has served as core
text of planning since its inception.
Produced in partnership with ICMA
the book comprehensively covers
American city planning history,
planning functions, and, most
important, the public administrative
aspects of planning, including agency
management and budgeting. The
book has been updated in several new
editions and is still in use.

[kw5280]

There is a Book Club forum under Cyburbia Community.

http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=37

[S. Allen]

The Caves of Steel -- Isaac Asimov

[Water Planner]

How about "The Art of the Long View" by Peter Schwartz

Good book for planners who need to consider what future events may influence their choice of plans. Good discussion on driving forces in society.....we can see many of those forces now and how they influence economic markets, environmental choices, national priorities, etc.

Good read.

[RPfresh]

(moved my comment to the 'Top FIve Books' thread)

[rmweav11]

Ok, I'll start

City Comforts by David Sucher
Readings in Planning Theory, Ed. Campbell & Fainstein
A Richer Heritage, Ed. Stipe
What Style is It?, Poppeliers & Chamber
Cases & Materials on Land Use, Callies, Freilich & Roberts

City Comforts by David Sucher is great!

[oldy]

Interesting! I'm going to pick a few of these up at the weekend. I'll let you know my thoughts!

[weberguy]

There is the APA "The 100 Essential Books of Planning"
http://www.planning.org/centennial/g...nningbooks.pdf

I wasn't aware of this. I'd been looking for some books to get and this should be quite helpful.