ReThinking a Lot

Parking spaces clumped in lots shape this rigorous analysis of open space. In ReThinking a Lot, Ben-Joseph explores this potentially powerful, sustainable terrain, anchoring much more than cars.

John Stilgoe, Harvard University

In ReThinking a Lot, Eran Ben-Joseph convincingly urges the need to bring sound design to a ubiquitous, usually negative, environmental feature: the surface parking lot. Ben-Joseph understands design too well to offer a formula for improvement over a vast diversity of conditions. What he does offer is the courage to address a neglected opportunity for design excellence and to provide discussion and examples that facilitate such design.

Stanford Anderson, Professor, Department of Architecture, MIT

Parking—perhaps the most disruptive and nonproductive component of our contemporary landscapes—is in this book finally represented in all its manifestations both analytically and poetically, with a challenge to designers to 'rethink' the integration of cars and the critical space they occupy in urban systems.

Rahul Mehrotra, Professor and Chair, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Graduate School of Design, Harvard University

As residual and mundane spaces of everyday life, parking lots have not captured the attention of urban designers until now. Eran Ben-Joseph sets out to correct this significant oversight. Very well illustrated, concise, and clear, this book provides a rich cultural history of these overlooked urban settings. It also effectively shows that with creative design and policy, cities can indeed turn their ugly lots into 'modest paradises.'

Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, Professor, UCLA Department of Urban Planning

The book is sturdy and handsome with useful notes and bibliography.

Choice

...[T]he depth of research into the topic and the presentation of it in a lot of context and history make it a truly useful addition to your library.

Urban Tick