Book Launch: The Routledge Handbook of Urban Design Practice
We extend our congratulations and gratitude to the editors and contributors of “The Routledge Handbook of Urban Design Practice”, including senior planner and co-editor Allen Penniman in collaboration with Molly O’Neill Robinson, Michael Angelo Larice, Amanda Haycox, and a long list of collaborating chapter writers. Agency’s Gina Ford, Brie Hensold, Jill Allen Dixon, and former Agent, Kari Roynesdal, all contributed to chapters.
Bringing together leading practitioners and academic voices in the field, the intention behind the book is to reframe urban design practice as a solutions-oriented field. It prioritizes holistic systems, dynamic processes, and collaborative work and views urban design as a practice that must evolve to meet the pressing needs of our time.
Gina, Brie, and Kari’s chapter “Placemaking, Caring, and Keeping” is about the tactics and intentions behind placemaking and the turn to long-term creation, care, and maintenance of places, all centered around community. A cycle of making, caring, and keeping allows for more resilient places and more vital cities.
Jill and Mary Anne Ocampo’s chapter “Toward a More Inclusive and Reflective Urban Design Practice: Five Principles for Beginning a Project” is centered around the key themes of increasing focus on critical reflection, awareness of power and privilege, and a shift from “Design” by “Designers” to designing together in partnership with communities.
This year, the editors and contributors will be touring around select cities in the US on a book tour! First up, Allen will be celebrating in Detroit with Ujijji Davis-Williams, Matthew Williams, and Morgan Fett with a book launch event at Paramita Sound, featuring DJ Manchego (April 26 @ 5:30pm @ 1517 Broadway, Detroit).
Other book talks in other cities are in the works – stay tuned for more!