Berman, Marshall

Cultural theorist examines the social roles and intentions of artists in modern urban life. He advocates 'Marxist humanism' and proposes that the urban realities of the marketplace are neither fixed nor immutable. (Book: All That is Solid Melts into Air)

Bertaud, Alain - The Study of Urban Spatial Structures

Papers and reports focused on urban spatial development.

Boyer, M. Christine

The William R. McKenan Jr. Professor of Architecture and Urbanism, at the School of Architecture, Princeton University, Boyer has written and lectured widely on 19th and 20th century urbanism, with a focus on the structure and meaning of urban form. (Books: Dreaming the Rational City, The City and Collective Memory)

Davis, Mike

Author whose writings on the 'architecture of control' and the extinction of public spaces have influenced many theorists and designers working to create a more livable city. (Books: City of Quartz; Ecology of Fear)

DeGrove, John

Teaches growth management (smart growth) with a special focus on initiatives to contain sprawl and ensure sustainable urban and natural systems. Florida Atlantic University Joint Center for Environmental and Urban Problems Director from 1972 until February 1999. (Books: Land, Growth and Politics; Balanced Growth: A Planning Guide for Local Government).

Downs, Anthony

Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C. He was for 18 years a member and then Chairman of Real Estate Research Corporation, a nationwide consulting firm advising private and public decision-makers on real estate investment, housing policies, and urban affairs.

Doxiadis, Constantinos (1913-1975)

Author and founder of Doxiadis Associates, a private firm of consulting engineers, with a small group of architects and planners. (Books: Ekistics - An Introduction to the Science of Human Settlements).

Fulton, William

Journalist, urban planner, researcher, pundit, and best-selling author. Regarded as one of the nation's leading commentators on urban planning, metropolitan growth, and economic development.(Books: Guide to California Planning, California Land and Legacy).

Geddes, Patrick (1854-1932)

Known as the 'father of town planning,' he developed the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, advanced ideas for the renovation of old housing and the planning and building of new homes, and advocated using the Camera Obscura as a teaching medium. (Book: Cities in evolution: An introduction to the Town Planning movement and the Studies of Civics.)

Gehl, Jahn

People, Gehl found, are drawn to crowded, bustling spaces, where those unpredictable, surprising actors - other human beings - are on centre stage. As a Scandinavian proverb puts it: 'People come where people are.' (Book: Life Between Buildings)

Gordon, Peter

Has recently written on the problems of the New Urbanism. He is also the co-editor (with David Beito) of 'Voluntary Cities (forthcoming) and is currently at work on a book on the 'sprawl' debate.

Halprin, Lawrence

Significant contributor in the areas of landscape architecture and urban design, active over six decades in the 20th century. Biographical information and index to his projects.

Harvey, David

A geographer concerned with environmental justice and uneven development, Harvey writes devastating descriptions of current urban situations, and offers a new framework for questioning design decisions. (Books: The Urban Experience, Spaces of Hope)

Haussmann, Baron (1809-1891)

French planner famous for the redevelopment of Paris under Napoleon III.

Hise, Greg

Associate Professor of urban history, his research focuses generally on the American West and specifically on Los Angeles. (Book: Magnetic Los Angeles: Planning the Twentieth Century Metropolis)

Huxtable, Ada Louise

Architecture critic for the Wall Street Journal, she advocates for preservation and cities as places of contrast. (Book: The Unreal America)

Jacobs, Allan

Urban Designer and Professor, Jacobs has observed street users and has studied a wide array of street types and urban spaces around the world. Books: Making City Planning Work, Great Streets, Boulevard Book.

Jane Holtz Kay

Architecture and planning critic for The Nation and author. She has written for Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Planning, The Boston Globe, The New York Times, Preservation and Sierra. (Books: Asphalt Nation, Preserving New England and Lost Boston).

Johns, Michael

Geography professor at UC Berkeley offers a walking tour of San Francisco with special regard to the economy and culture of the Western city.

Katz, Peter

Author and real estate marketing consultant, he argues that New Urbanism integrates modern life into pedestrian-friendly communities with effective links to their larger regions. (Books: The New Urbanism: Toward an Architecture of Community)