Visualizing Density By Julie Campoli and Alex S. MacLean

Visualizing Density By Julie Campoli and Alex S. MacLean, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 113 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, ISBN 1-55844171-9, 978-1-55844-171-2, $39.95, 160 pages, 2007

Planners and designers should make room in their reference library for this engaging new book that explores land density in the United States. The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a group of think tanks, along with authors Julie Campoli, whose focus is landscape change, sprawl and density, and Alex MacLean, an aerial photographer, have produced a book Authorized for professionals and laymen alike Green construction and design is more than a trend and this in-depth book outlines today’s density problem as well as offers solutions to uninspired sprawl and urban housing concentrations that put pressure on urban housing. infrastructure and residents.

Content covers: Getting Closer: The Count, The Coming Boom, Expanding Out or Growing In, Crosscurrents, The Benefits, Why We Hate Density, How We Can Love Density and Patterns of Density: Planning for Density, Designing for Density Las density catalog features aerial photos of density from less than 1 unit per acre to more than 200 units per acre. Additional features include a foreword, references, acknowledgments, about the authors, and general information about the Lincoln Land Institute. A handy CD-Rom for educational use is also included.

Aerial photography tells a compelling story of how many cities and suburbs can learn and visualize patterns of density, which Mr. MacLean does impressively, with sharp, clean, and interesting photographs. Highly recommended for urban, suburban, and exurban planners, designers, city and town managers, smart growth advocates, and residents of areas across the country seeking a bird’s-eye view of their community.