In 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.
"Beatley and Newman's charming guide to Australians' search for sustainable practice is a revelation, timely in a world anxious about the fate of the planet. This is an exhilarating lesson in the art of optimism. It challenges readers to become first-time visitors to their own neighborhoods, parks and city regions, discovering the many seeds of change all around us."---Peter Droege, School of Architecture and Built Environment "Australia and America are car-crazy places on different paths. Australia has much to tell us, if we listen. Green Urbanism Down Under provides invaluable lessons, practical examples, and tangible steps for setting America on a different course. Every planner and polcymaker struggling to make America greener and more sustainable should read this book and borrow liberally from it."---G.B. Arrington, principal practice leader, PlaceMarking Group
