Good overview of urbanism through the lens of transit. I liked that he gives sone commentary on the class/race/political issues surrounding development and transit. ( )

I found this book to be very informative and readable; it combines the best aspects of a travelogue with detailed surveys of public transit systems around the world- the good, bad and the ugly (*ahem, Phoenix*). A worthwhile read for anyone interested in urban planning, specifically how cities become more- or less- livable. ( )

This is a highly relevant book for the 21st century. As the population of cities increases and transportation systems start to buckle under the strain of these additional people, it is important to find ways to move them around more effectively and reduce dependence on the automobile. Taras Grescoe, a resident of Montreal, travels around the world to study examples of effective public transit and show multiple solutions: bus rapid transit, subways, light rail, and so on. From Paris to Moscow, from Philadelphia to Montreal, from Tokyo to Toronto, we see cities that have done it right from the start, some that have suffered damage from the automobile craze and have started to repair it, and some that are almost a lost cause or that have lost their way.

On a personal level, I greatly enjoyed this book and its validation of the public-transit culture. Not everyone has the ability or inclination to drive, and it's important to provide them with an efficient means of getting around. This book emphasizes the importance of managing transit at a regional level, with a long-term focus, and duplicating the "anywhere to anywhere" mobility provided by cars. It's all very well to have an efficient service bringing people from the suburbs to downtown and back again during peak times, but riders should also be able to get from one suburb to another easily.

In addition to public transit, Grescoe also discusses cycling infrastructure. Copenhagen is one city where cycling is safe, easy and very widely practised, because the infrastructure is in place to get cyclists where they want to go, instead of funnelling them off into parks and quiet areas (what's the use of a bike path in the middle of nowhere if you're trying to bike to work downtown?) It also helps that, in the winter, the snowplows tend the bike paths first.

Grescoe's writing style is smooth and efficient like a high-speed train. The book clacks along merrily, whisking you to various destinations and through a variety of interviews and statistics. Each chapter discusses a particular city, so it can be read easily in chunks, although I found it very hard to put down once I got started. I would definitely recommend this for anyone who is interested in urban planning, public transit, or those who live in and love the city. ( )

This book is fascinating, but I have trouble focusing on it for longer than a few pages, perhaps because the writing style is dry. I'll finish it someday!

I am somewhat late in reviewing this book and feel that I have litter to add to the excellent reviews written by other members. I found the book interesting, especially in its discussion of the history of suburban development and the ways in which different transit systems have contributed to the growth of their urban areas. The discussion of failures of certain types of system, such as the underutilized light rail in Phoenix, Arizona and of the success of cities such as Copenhagen undoubtedly provide guidance for those who would like to promote better transit. My only caveat is that the promotion of transit infrastructure development assumes continued economic growth and availability of materials, which will be in shorter supply as resources are exhausted. Oil is not the only resource that has or will soon reach peak production and technologically advanced systems with computerized controls, etc. may run into a shortage of the rare metals essential to modern electronics.