February New Environmental Studies and Sustainability books

• The Ecology of Childhood: How Our Changing World Threatens Children’s Rights
  
  The Ecology of Childhood: How Our Changing World Threatens Children’s Rights: HQ789 .W66 2020
  Author(s): Barbara Bennett Woodhouse
  New York : New York University Press [2020]
  
  How globalization is undermining sustainable social environments for children This book uses the ecological model of child development together with ethnographic and comparative studies of two small villages, in Italy and the United States, as its framework for examining the well-being of children in the aftermath of the Great Recession. Global forces, far from being distant and abstract, are revealed as wreaking havoc in children’s environments even in economically advanced countries. Falling birth rates, deteriorating labor conditions, fraying safety nets, rising rates of child poverty, and a surge in racism and populism in Europe and the United States are explored in the petri dish of the village. Globalism’s discontents—unrestrained capitalism and technological change, rising inequality, mass migration, and the juggernaut of climate change—are rapidly destabilizing and degrading the social and physical environments necessary to our collective survival and well-being. This crisis demands a radical restructuring of our macrosystemic value systems. Woodhouse proposes an ecogenerist theory that asks whether our policies and politics foster environments in which children and families can flourish. It proposes, as a benchmark, the family-supportive human-rights principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The book closes by highlighting ways in which individuals can engage at the local and regional levels in creating more just and sustainable worlds that are truly fit for children.
  
  
• Serene Urbanism: A Biophilic Theory and Practice of Sustainable Placemaking
  
  Serene Urbanism: A Biophilic Theory and Practice of Sustainable Placemaking: HT153 .T22 2017
  Author(s): Philip James Tabb
  London ; Routledge Taylor & Francis Group 2017.
  
  "Serenity is becoming alarmingly absent from our daily existence, especially within the urban context. Time is dense and space is tumultuous. The idea of the serene has gained currency in postmodern discussions, and when combined with urbanism conjures questions, even contradictions as the two ideas seem improbable, yet their correspondence seems so inherently desirable. Integrated, these two constructs present design challenges as they manifest in differing ways across the rural-urban transect. In response, part one of this work establishes the theoretical framework through different contemporary perspectives, and concludes with a clear explanation of a theory of serene urbanism. The positive characteristics of urbanism and beneficial qualities of the serene are explored and related to sustainability, biophilia, placemaking and environmental design. Both principles and examples are presented as compelling portraits for the proposal of these new urban landscapes. Part two of the work is an in depth exploration and analysis of serene urban ideas related to the intentional community being created outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Serenbe is the name given to this place to commemorate the value and nuance between the serene and urban"--Provided by publisher.
  
  
• Julia Watson. Lo--TEK. Design by Radical Indigenism
  
  Julia Watson. Lo--TEK. Design by Radical Indigenism: NA208 .W38 2019
  Author(s): Julia Watson
  Cologne : Taschen [2019]
  
  In an era of high-tech and climate extremes, we are drowning in information while starving for wisdom. Enter Lo--TEK, a design movement building on indigenous philosophy and vernacular infrastructure to generate sustainable, resilient, nature-based technology. With a foreword by anthropologist Wade Davis and spanning 20 countries including Peru, the Philippines, Tanzania, Kenya, Iran, Iraq, India, and Indonesia. We rediscover an ancient mythology in a contemporary context, radicalizing the spirit of human nature.
  
  
• Healthy Homes: Designing with Light and Air for Sustainability and Wellbeing
  
  Healthy Homes: Designing with Light and Air for Sustainability and Wellbeing: NA7105 .B35 2019
  Author(s): Nick Baker, Koen Steemers
  London : RIBA Publishing [2019]
  
  It is widely acknowledged that there is an urgent need to transform our housing stock to a better energy performance level. However, improving energy performance should not result in a negative impact on the health, wellbeing and the comfort of building occupants. There are many energy-neutral features that can be incorporated at small or zero cost which have a positive effect on wellbeing. This book aims to outline and discuss these aspects of building design. The issue of health and wellbeing has already entered into design advice for the workplace, where productivity and absenteeism are often used as indicators. This book concentrates on residential buildings, notably mass housing and affordable strategies, for which new, more socially and health-oriented indicators are being developed. Provides practical design guidance based on scientific evidence Explores both physical and psychological wellbeing Focuses on the home and immediate domestic environment Structured in an accessible way for architects and designers.
  
  
• The Art of Classic Planning: Building Beautiful and Enduring Communities
  
  The Art of Classic Planning: Building Beautiful and Enduring Communities: NA9031 .B875 2019
  Author(s): Nir H. Buras
  Cambridge, Massachusetts : The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press 2019.
  
  Nearly everything we treasure in the world's most beautiful cities was built over a century ago. Yet the ideas and practices underlying these achievements have been abandoned. Nir Buras documents the humane design methods that held sway before the reign of Modernism and encourages us to relearn the time-tested principles of classic urban planning.
  
  
• Why Plan?: Theory for Practitioners
  
  Why Plan?: Theory for Practitioners: NA9040 .H284 2019
  Author(s): Graham Houghton, Iain White
  London : Lund Humphries 2019.
  
  Why do we plan? Who decides how and where we plan and what we should value? How do theories and ideologies filter down into real policies and plans which affect our lives? Written in a deliberately practitioner-friendly manner, this useful guide answers these questions and reveals planning theories to be simply new ideas that can help one see the world differently. Thinking about them enables us to take a step back to appreciate the wider context. The guide discusses the value of planning, how rationales for planning have changed, and whether we have too much, too little, or just the wrong kind of planning.
  
  
• Eco China: Roof Garden and Green Walls
  
  Eco China: Roof Garden and Green Walls: SB470.55.C6 T65 2019
  Author(s): Jialin Tong
  London : Design Media Publishing (UK) 2019.
  
  Vertical greening and roof gardening is an important element of sustainable urban planning, and also a significant aspect in the construction of an 'eco-friendly China'. Especially now, when the greening area available to citizens is becoming less and less, vertical greening can give some compensations. It is also an important means to alleviate the urban heat island effect and deal with heavy storms. It also plays a key role in achieving the goal of sustainable development. This book aims to review developments of eco-cities in China in recent years. The book is divided into two parts. Part 1 introduces basic knowledge and technical know-how about vertical greening, including a general introduction and suggestions about site analysis, planning and design, green wall and roof construction techniques and maintenance. Part 2 is a collection of 32 projects, showing the latest achievements in vertical greening and roof gardens in China. All these projects are selected carefully and presented with photos, drawings and narratives to demonstrate the design process, conception, and installation/realisation in a professional way. Besides, important elements and factors that will have an impact on vertical landscaping are discussed in detail. It will be helpful to vertical greening practitioners around the world to learn from experiences and lessons in China.