From TAP, the rise of megaregions: Planning theorists argue we need to rethink the spatial coordinates of the national economy. Unconventional thinking: Why cities shouldn’t buy into the convention center economy. From IRB, a review of The Cul-de-Sac Syndrome: Turning Around the Unsustainable American Dream by John F. Wasik and Welcome to the Urban Revolution: How Cities Are Changing the World by Jeb Brugmann (and more). As the US launches hundreds stimulus-funded municipal projects, planning experts suggest books (old and new) for insight on rebuilding the American city. A review of The Walkable City: From Haussmann's Boulevards to Jane Jacobs' Streets and Beyond by Mary Soderstrom. A review of Invented Edens: Techno-cities of the Twentieth Century by Robert Kargon and Arthur P. Molella. Despite New Yorkers’ powerful nostalgia for the Gotham-that-was, the city's urban ecology has always thrived on change. As Detroit turns to ruins, Greg Grandin tolls the bell for the city that embodied the utopian ambitions of American capitalism (and a review of Fordlandia: The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford's Forgotten Jungle City and more). From Wired, an article on what Detroit can learn from the Apple Store. Urban retrofits: How to make a city green without tearing it down.
