Best Urban & Regional Economics Books of 2025

PowerNomics: The National Plan to Empower Black America by Dr. Anderson is a book that proposes new principles, strategies, and concepts to make Black America self-sufficient and prosperous by the year 2005. The author debunks the myths and illusions of black progress and provides insightful analysis and action steps to redesign core areas of life like education, economics, politics, and religion. The book emphasizes the importance of building industries in black communities based on group competitive advantages and presents models of the proposed strategies. PowerNomics: The National Plan is a unique and thought-provoking book that challenges the conventional thinking about race matters and offers a new perspective.

Discrimination and Disparities by Thomas Sowell examines the origins of economic disparities and challenges the idea that different economic outcomes can be explained by any one factor, be it discrimination, exploitation, or genetics. The book analyzes the human consequences of prevailing social visions of these disparities and the policies based on that vision. The author presents a well-researched and thought-provoking argument that is both accessible and relevant. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex issues surrounding economic disparities.

San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities is a thought-provoking book that exposes the failure of progressive policies in solving problems related to homelessness, inequality, and crime. Author Michael Shellenberger, a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area for 30 years, offers a fresh perspective on the issue of homelessness, revealing that it's not solely a housing or financial problem, but rather an ideological one. Shellenberger's proposed solutions are both practical and humane, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in the future of our cities. Overall, San Fransicko is a well-written and informative book that challenges conventional wisdom and offers a new way of thinking about urban issues.

Strong Towns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Rebuild American Prosperity presents a new vision for urban development in the United States. Charles Marohn explains why inducing growth and development has not worked for cities of all sizes and offers practical solutions for bottom-up investments to strengthen communities financially and improve citizens' quality of life. This book offers insights and tools to stop the vicious cycle of budget shortfalls and unexpected downturns. The Strong Towns revolution shifts the focus away from top-down growth toward rebuilding American prosperity, making it a must-read for community leaders.

This book, America's Frozen Neighborhoods: The Abuse of Zoning, examines how local zoning policies have created barriers to the development of affordable housing, resulting in major damage to the national economy. Robert Ellickson presents case studies of Silicon Valley, Greater New Haven, and Greater Austin, and suggests reforms that states and the federal government could undertake to counter the detrimental effects of local policies. This insightful and intensively researched book is a must-read for policymakers interested in reforming a system gone awry, and sheds remarkable new light on the obduracy of exclusionary zoning.

This book titled "Goodbye, Oakland" explores the paradoxical identity of the city as a sports town, featuring conversations with luminaries from sports, politics, and economics. The book delves into the rich history of Oakland sports, including the departure of teams like the Raiders and the Warriors, and the ongoing fight to keep the Oakland Athletics. Through the perspective of veteran Oakland Tribune scribe Dave Newhouse and sports business leader Andy Dolich, readers will gain an appreciation for the challenges and quirks that define "The Town." Overall, "Goodbye, Oakland" is a fascinating read for sports fans and anyone interested in the unique identity of this gritty city.

Happy City by Charles Montgomery is an eye-opening exploration of how cities can make us happier people. The book delves into the intersection between urban design and the emerging science of happiness. Montgomery takes the reader on a journey across the world’s most dynamic cities, meeting visionaries who have hacked the design of their own streets and neighborhoods. The book is beautifully researched and cleverly interweaves rigorous inquiry on urban history and the science of happiness with intimate and personal stories. Happy City offers new insights on how retrofitting cities and our own lives for happiness can tackle the urgent challenges of our age. It is a must-read for anyone interested in urban planning and development.

She Who Wins by Renee Bauer is a compelling self-help book that encourages women to break free from societal norms and take control of their lives. Through her tough-love approach, Bauer provides relatable stories, real-life examples, and practical tools to help readers achieve excellence in all aspects of their lives. The book is especially timely as many women emerge from the pandemic feeling stuck and unfulfilled. Overall, She Who Wins is an inspiring and empowering read that challenges readers to think bigger, dream bolder, and become the best version of themselves.

Harvard Square: A Love Story by Catherine J. Turco is a captivating exploration of why we love our local marketplaces and why we struggle with changes in them. Turco takes readers on a journey through the past and present of Harvard Square, introducing a cast of characters, from early 1900s businessmen to modern-day businesswomen, who have shaped and been shaped by the changing marketplace. The book offers a new perspective on the stability and instability that markets provide and how they reflect our relationship with ourselves and one another. Turco's novelistic approach to character, place, and pacing makes this book an incisive and engaging read.

Rising From the Deep by Geoff Baker is a captivating read that tells the story of how the Seattle Kraken, the National Hockey League's newest expansion franchise, came to be. The book traces the origins of the team, from the history of Seattle hockey in the early 20th century to the winter sports void left by the bitter departure of the Sonics. Baker takes readers behind the scenes and back to the start with power brokers, players, and fans in this fascinating, hard-fought saga. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in sports, civics, and regional identity, as it offers a multifaceted narrative of launching a franchise from the ground up.