The Principle of Participation: The fundamental human needs: to create, to control, to identify with the environment in which they live and have a sense of ownership. The Principle of Diagnosis: The well being of the whole is protected by an annual diagnosis which explains, in detail, which spaces are alive and which ones dead, at any given moment in the history of the community. The Principle of Piecemeal Growth: […]
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“The New Theory of Urban Design” by Christopher Alexander
Vision “Every project must first be experienced, and then expressed, as a vision which can be seen in the inner eye (literally). It must have this quality so strongly that it can also be communicated to others, and felt by others, as a vision.” “This vision is a literal thing. It is not merely an idea or concept, but a thing seen and felt in the mind’s eye as in […]
Read more“Small is Beautiful” by E. F. Schumacher
The Problem of Production “The modern industrial system, with all its intellectual sophistication, consumes the very basis on which it has been erected”, the irreplaceable capital which it treats as unlimited income, i.e., natural capital (capital provided by nature, not by man, e.g., fossil fuels) and human substance. “We need methods and equipment which are cheap enough so that they are accessible to everyone, suitable for small-scale application and compatible […]
Read more“Ten Episodes in China’s Diplomacy” by Qian Qichen
The only memoirs written by one of the Chinese leaders of the modern era. It gives an insider’s account of the strategies and tactics they used in foreign policies and diplomatic negotiations, with some juicy details. It’s interesting to see how heads of states make their imprints on the relationships between two countries. Nelson Mandela unabashedly sought financial aids, Deng Xiaoping showed vision and backbone in dealings with the U.S.
Read more“Memoirs” by Brian Mulroney
Having finished reading his 1,000 plus page autobiography, I can’t help wonder why so many people and the media in Canada hate Mulroney. If nothing else, he is a great writer and teacher, I’ve learned quite a few things about Canadian history and politics, which I knew nothing about before. He wrote with warmth and humor about his political allies, his family and his personal relationships with other world leaders. […]
Read more“Natural Capitalism” by Paul Hawken
One of those rare books that leave you wanting to know more and take action. “Natural capital refers to the natural resources and ecosystem services that make possible all economic activity, indeed all life. …Yet current business practices typically fail to take into account the value of these assets. As a result, natural capital is being degraded and liquidated by the wasteful use of such resources as energy, materials, water, […]
Read more“The Geography of Hope: A Tour of the World We Need” by Chris Turner
A comprehensive overview of the environment movement, both the ideology and practice, technologies and techniques, peoples and policies. It goes way beyond recycle bins, solar panels and hybrid cars, and introduces the readers to a whole new way of defining economic growth, our relationship with and responsibility for the environment. It is not only sustainable energy, but sustainable communities and lifestyle. The author travels around the world to interview pioneers […]
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