Also worth a read is 'A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction' if you're interested in an architectural look at how humans might live together better.
Thanks, that was great! I've only very recently started exploring urban design - I spend my days building software. I have this vague notion that living in a city could be nicer, so I'm trying to familiarize myself with what the people who know what they're doing say about it. I'll look further into Ingels and BIG. Are there any other starting points you'd suggest?
I think the number 1 thing that the US is missing is a pedestrian only square, with cafes and restaurants lining the perimeter. The children can run around the square, while the adults socialize.
I love that book. Just browsing through it brings relief to the soul. Imagine if all buildings were alive like that!
Alexander's critique of modern architecture is devastating, but his later, hugely more ambitious work is somehow less compelling. Perhaps I should give it another chance.
