Category: Book Review
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Multisolving: Complex Systems
Chapter seven of Multisolving by Elizabeth Sawin acknowledges the fact that systems are complex and the behavior of complex systems often leads to people giving up any efforts to try to assert influence. The systems stance is discussed which is comprised of a series of elements: Elizabeth’s first question for reflection is to analyze which…
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Turf War
Book Review The fight to protect urban neighborhoods from overwhelming development is a topic that resonates widely, especially in dense metropolitan areas. In an episode of Booked On Planning, we cover the fight recounted in Steven Robinson’s book “Turf War: How a Band of Activists Saved New York from Donald Trump’s Masterpiece.” The narrative recounts…
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How to Remake the World, Neighborhood by Neighborhood
Book Review In a 2024 Booked on Planning podcast episode, we explore the impact of caring relationships on transforming communities and addressing systemic issues with Mack McCarter, author of “How to Remake the World, Neighborhood by Neighborhood.” Mack’s book discusses the power of genuine connections and their ability to create resilient communities, drawing inspiration from…
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Multisolving: Behavior of the System
In Chapter six of Mutlisolving by Elizabeth Sawin she pulls together all the elements of the previous chapters to discuss whole system behavior. She reinforces just how complex and interconnected systems really are and starts to show how they can be influenced. For reflection, she asks readers to think of a time we took action…
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Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation
Book Review In a 2024 Booked on Planning podcast episode, we dive deep into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of urban planning—building climate resilience for aging populations. Our special guest, Danielle Arigoni, author of “Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation,” shares her invaluable insights on this pressing issue. Her book underscores the importance of…
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Multisolving and the Role of Feedback Loops
In Chapter Five of Elizabeth Sawin’s book Multisolving, she asks readers to reflect on effective balancing feedback operating in either their life or work and what brings the system back into balance when destabilized. In my last post I discussed the idea of reinforcing feedback loops, a change in one direction creating more change in…
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The Misunderstood History of Gentrification
Book ReviewIn a 2024 episode of Booked on Planning, we dive deep into the complex and often misunderstood history of gentrification with our author, Dennis Gale. Spanning nearly a century, this book offers a comprehensive look at how urban renewal efforts evolved and the impacts it has had on our cities. Dennis introduces the concept…
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Multisolving and the Role of Reinforcing Feedback Loops
Chapter Four of Elizabeth Sawin’s book Multisolving, covers the first of two types of feedback loops in systems–Reinforcing. Reinforcing feedback is “a change in one part of the system that feeds back to amplify the initial change”. In other words, it’s a change in the same direction amplified. The prompt at the end of the…
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Dwell Time
Book Review Ever wondered how the intricate world of art conservation intertwines with the profound experiences of immigrants? In this a 2024 Booked on Planning podcast episode, Rosa Lowinger, the author of “Dwell Time: A Memoir of Art, Exile, and Repair,” discusses her emotional and educational journey as an art conservationist. Rosa’s narrative is not…
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Multisolving: Flows
Continuing on with the reading reflections in Elizabeth Sawin’s book Multisolving, Chapter Three is on Flows, processes that move and are measured in units of stuff per unit of time. As she mentions in the book, we tend to focus only on stocks and ignore the flows, to our detriment. If we ignore them too…
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The Planning Lady 