It's important to us that everyone has access to the tools that have helped us as Able City team members develop our understanding of how buildings and cities work.
What are our materials? We have started to compile an ever-growing list of books, podcasts, articles, etc., that has been formative in their understanding of cities and city-making. It's important to us to make architecture and planning as accessible as possible — not only for understanding, but for our neighbors and friends to see the city as something that's in their hands.
This archive is deliberately participatory, and we ask that you join us as well. The city is itself always a collection of people's histories and desires. Submit your own -- let's build knowledge. Let's build it together.
Walkable City
Jeff SpeckView(1) of Able City required reading; all new staff are sent a welcome email with this book on the syllabus. Speck goes over his rules for a walkable city, and empowering the citizen-pedestrian to challenge auto-centric design. The book is available, new and used, from many independent booksellers. Attached is a link to Speck's Ted Talk capsule of his book.
Street Fight
Janette Sadik-KahnView(2) of Able City required reading; all new staff are sent a welcome email with this book on the syllabus. Sadik-Khan recounts New York City advocates' battle to put the design of the city back into the hands of pedestrians, bikers, public transportation, and environmentalists. The book is available, new and used, from many independent booksellers (click: view).
The Color of Law
Richard RothsteinView(3) of Able City required reading; all new staff are sent a welcome email with this book on the syllabus. Rothstein explains the continued legacies of discriminatory policy and zoning practices. The book is available, new and used, from many independent booksellers; attached is a free PDF version.
Tactical Urbanism
Mike Lydon & Anthony GarciaViewField guide to tactical urbanism ... "Tactical Urbanism doesn’t propose one-size-fits-all solutions but intentional and flexible responses … this reframing invites a new conversation a about local resilience and helps cities and citizens together explore a more nuanced and nimble approach to city-making, one that can envision long-term transformation but also adjust as conditions inevitable change."
The Molecule of More
Daniel LiebermanViewScientific analysis of action & how we motivate change!
Invisible Women
Caroline Criado-PerezViewGood resource telling us how the gender data gap is something we as architects/urbanists/people in the world should be thinking about in relation to our work!