In regards to developing the City Beautiful Movement in the new century and into the future, City Building: Nine Planning Principles for the Twenty-First Century, by John Lund Kriken, streamlines the main points in how to build cities more efficiently, sustainably, and beautifully.
Simply highlighting the main points of the book, so for more in-depth information about what each principle references, I recommend picking up the book. Most of the projects showcased are case studies and some are real-world projects that have come to fruition. Within the introductory text and first few paragraphs the book touches on the City Beautiful Movement and how its ideals and framework have now built strong urban relationships between people, parks, urban space, and the environment. Truly an informative read with plenty of stimulating images and photographs.
Principle One: Sustainability
Committing to an Environmental Ethic
Principle Two: Accessibility
Facilitating Ease of Movement
Principle Three: Diversity
Maintaining Variety and Choice
Principle Four: Open Space
Regenerating Natural Systems to Make Cities Green
Principle Five: Compatibility
Maintaining Harmony and Balance
Principle Six: Incentives
Renewing Declining Cities/Rebuilding Brownfields
Principle Seven: Adaptability
Facilitating “Wholeness” and Positive Change
Principle Eight: Density
Designing Compact Cities with Appropriate Transit
Principle Nine: Identity
Creating/Preserving a Unique and Memorable Sense of Place
See Part One and Part Two of this series for more.
Also here are two quotes I found online relative to the topic and discussion:
Juan Moreno of JGMA believes that “designing our cities with spaces that inspire” depends on “how well these spaces bring community, family, and children together.” This is apropo as Burnham saw it the same way.
“Bold ideas are easy, implementing them is hard. This is particularly true as cities around the world want to use their landscapes as infrastructure to address current urban issues.” -Brian Phelps, Landscape+Urbanism
