So, I stumbled across this book: The Great Neigborhood Book, by the fine folks at PPS.

Well, I didn’t actually stumble across, Mark recommended it to me, and so I ordered it. And yes we have it for sale at einmaleins. (enough of the cheap sales tactic, on to the book review).

What can I say, but it blew me away!This is almost too good for just one review and should be disected and different elements posted in sections.

The book calls itself the Do-it-yourself Guide to Placemaking.

It’s filled with great stories, quotes and short anecdotes that are filled with hope and simple ideas on how to create, shape and influence your neigborhood.

This must be mandatory reading for everyone that calls him/herself a stakeholder in downtown and wants to participate in the shaping of its future. I wish I could get one for each City Council member who is in that peculiar position on having to make a decision on the isthmus rezone debacle.

Here are the 11 principles of placemaking as mentioned in the introduction of the book:

1. The community is the expert

2.You are creating a place, not a design.

3.You can’t do it alone.

4. They’ll always say “It can’t be done.”

5. You can see a lot by just observing.

6. Develop a vision.

7. Form supports function.

8. Make the connectiond.

9. Start with petunias.

10. Money is not the issue.

11. You are never finished.

So, this was enough of a teaser – now go out and buy the book!