Best Urban & Land Use Planning Books of 2025

The Death and Life of Great American Cities is a groundbreaking work that provides a framework for assessing the vitality of cities. Jane Jacobs' prose is outstandingly immediate as she writes about what makes streets safe or unsafe, the role of neighborhoods in the larger organism of the city, and the dangers of too much development money and too little diversity. This book has become the standard against which all endeavors in urban planning are measured. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of our cities and how we can create vibrant, diverse, and safe neighborhoods.

A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction is a book that challenges the traditional approach to architecture, building, and planning. The authors propose that people should design their own houses, streets, and communities, and provide a language of patterns to guide the process. The book includes more than 250 patterns, each offering a solution to a specific design problem. This book is an excellent resource for those interested in architectural criticism and design. The Center for Environmental Structure Series, comprised of this book and two others, presents a radical approach to architecture that could transform the profession.

Lost Burlington, Vermont by Robert Blanchard is a fascinating book that explores the rich history and architecture of Burlington, Vermont. The book delves into the stories of over sixty lost landmarks, including the Strong and State Theaters, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Overlake Estate. Blanchard, a local historian, provides insights into the city's life and how these landmarks were built and met their end. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Burlington, Vermont and its lost treasures.

The Walkable City (Tenth Anniversary Edition) is an urban planning book that has changed the conversation on community design across America and beyond. Written by Jeff Speck, the book emphasizes the key factor that makes cities thrive: walkability. The book is updated with over 100 pages of new material and covers topics such as housing equity, COVID, Uber, autonomous vehicles, urban forests, and more. The book is a practical, necessary, and inspiring vision for how to make American cities the best they can be, and is a must-read for anyone interested in improving the quality of city life.

This book is an excellent guide for anyone looking to build a barndominium. It covers everything from finding the perfect land to financing and budget allocation. The book's step-by-step approach makes it easy to follow, even for those who have never built anything before. The legal aspects of building are also covered, which is an interesting read. The later sections of the book focus on practical advice and stylish floor plans to maximize space. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to build their dream barndominium.

The Timeless Way of Building by Christopher Alexander presents a new theory of architecture that describes an ancient process in modern terms. Alexander argues that the current theory of architecture is bankrupt and proposes a way of building that has been used for thousands of years. This book is an excellent resource for design students and anyone interested in architectural theory and design. The author's expertise as a builder, craftsman, general contractor, architect, painter, and teacher is evident throughout the book. Overall, The Timeless Way of Building is a unique and insightful read that challenges the current approach to architecture.

Missing Middle Housing by Daniel Parolek is a must-read for anyone interested in urban planning and housing crisis. The book explores the concept of attainable housing options that meet the diverse needs of residents. Parolek's approach to Missing Middle Housing is well supported by case studies, graphics, and data analysis, making it a comprehensive guide for planners, architects, builders, and city leaders. The book highlights the barriers that cities need to remove to enable the construction of these housing types. Overall, the book is informative, well-researched, and provides practical solutions to address the current housing crisis in the US.

Arbitrary Lines: How Zoning Broke the American City and How to Fix It by M. Nolan Gray is a must-read for anyone interested in urban planning and development. Gray argues that zoning abolition is necessary for building more affordable, vibrant, equitable, and sustainable cities. He provides lively explanations and stories to show how the arbitrary lines of zoning maps across the country have led to segregated and sprawling cities. However, the good news is that reform is happening, and Gray lays out the groundwork for this ambitious cause in this book. Overall, Arbitrary Lines is a well-researched and thought-provoking book that offers practical solutions for creating better cities.

The Great American House by Gil Schafer is a must-read for those who love traditional design and old houses. The book covers the three essential cornerstones of creating a great traditional house: architecture, landscape, and decoration. Schafer's work takes the best of American historic and classical architecture and updates it to be more practical, comfortable, and family-oriented. The book includes in-depth profiles of Schafer's own new "old" house in the Hudson Valley, a historic home in Nashville designed by Charles Platt in 1915, and a magnificent 1843 Greek Revival mansion in Charleston. The Great American House is an invaluable resource filled with hundreds of interior and detail shots that inspire readers to build one perfect home in their lifetime.

Confessions of a Recovering Engineer: Transportation for a Strong Town is an insightful look into the flaws of America's current transportation system and how to improve it for local communities. The author, Charles L. Marohn Jr., provides real-world examples of poor design choices and how they affect people's lives, as well as case studies of successful design improvements. The book also discusses the priorities of transportation professionals and how they differ from those of the public, and offers budget-friendly solutions to fight traffic congestion and improve quality of life for residents. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding and improving transportation systems.