Architectural Designer Jeff Speck has dedicated his career to determining what makes cities thrive and he has boiled it down to one key factor: walkability.
CONTACT: Susan Harding, Public Information Officer, 301-600-1385
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Architectural Designer Jeff Speck to Give Book Talk in Frederick, MD
FREDERICK, MD -- Architectural Designer Jeff Speck has dedicated his career to determining what makes cities thrive and he has boiled it down to one key factor: walkability. Speck will be in Frederick to speak about his work and his latest book, entitled “Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time,” at event scheduled for Sunday, April 28th at City Hall. The talk, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 5:00 PM with a book signing afterwards.?
The very idea of a modern metropolis evokes visions of bustling sidewalks, vital mass transit, and a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly urban core. But in the typical American city, the car is still king, and downtown is a place that’s easy to drive to but often not worth arriving at. Making walkability happen is relatively easy and cheap; seeing exactly what needs to be done is the trick. In this essential new book, Speck reveals the invisible workings of the city, how simple decisions have cascading effects, and how we can all make the right choices for our communities. Bursting with sharp observations and real-world examples, giving key insight into what urban planners actually do and how places can and do change, Walkable City lays out a practical, necessary, and eminently achievable vision of how to make our normal American cities great again.
Speck, who coauthored the landmark bestseller Suburban Nation, is a city planner who advocates for smart growth and sustainable design. As the former director of design at the National Endowment for the Arts, he oversaw the Mayors’ Institute on City Design, where he worked with dozens of American mayors on their most pressing city planning challenges. He currently leads a design practice based in Washington, D.C.
“Jeff Speck’s brilliant and entertaining book reminds us that, in America, the exception could easily become the rule. Mayors, planners, and citizens need look no further for a powerful and achievable vision of how to make our ordinary cities great again,” stated Joseph P. Riley, Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina.
The event is being presented with the support of The City of Frederick Planning Department, Downtown Frederick Partnership, Frederick Reads, and People Building Frederick’s Future. “Jeff has been called a leading advocate for pedestrian-friendly urban design and his work will change the way you look at cities,” said Shuan Butcher, one of the organizers for the event. “We are thrilled he will be sharing his expertise with us here in Frederick.” Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event.
For more information, call 240-344-4757.
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