We spent 28 hours on research, videography, and editing, to review the top options for this wiki. If you have a desire to see real change in the way that your community is organized, you might want to consider studying for a career in urban planning. You would be able to impact things like road layouts, housing plans, and even parks. These textbooks will ensure that you have an understanding of every individual facet before entering the field and beyond. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to support our work.
10. The Urban and Regional Planning Reader
The Urban and Regional Planning Reader brings together the work of both classic and contemporary researchers. The pieces cover a wide range of subjects including housing, transportation design, cultural diversity, and much more.
- Organized by topic
- Introduces well-known theorists
- Gets a bit repetitive
| Brand | The Urban and Regional |
|---|---|
| Model | pending |
| Weight | 2.3 pounds |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5.0 |
9. Urban Planning For Dummies
Urban Planning For Dummies is a much smarter pick than its name suggests. This option is ideal for students who have just finished an introductory class and wish to prepare for what comes next, or anybody who needs an accessible take on the profession.
- Excellent reference book
- Writer has real-life experience
- No advanced information
| Brand | For Dummies |
|---|---|
| Model | pending |
| Weight | 1.2 pounds |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5.0 |
8. Urban Sprawl and Public Health
Urban Sprawl and Public Health takes a look at how the physical environment affects the fitness of a society. It considers alternative approaches that might make dense communities better and safer places for people to live.
- Links asthma to sprawl
- Appealing to medical professionals
- Not terribly deep
| Brand | Island Press |
|---|---|
| Model | pending |
| Weight | 8 ounces |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5.0 |
7. Urban Forestry: Planning and Managing Urban Greenspaces
Urban Forestry: Planning and Managing Urban Greenspaces details everything that goes into creating the natural elements of a city’s environment. This selection endeavors to explain precisely why these areas need to have trees and how residents use them.
- Covers history of the subject
- How private vegetation is managed
- No color images
| Brand | Urban Forestry: Plannin |
|---|---|
| Model | pending |
| Weight | 1.9 pounds |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5.0 |
6. Urban Transportation Planning
Urban Transportation Planning is all about the complex problems faced when designing a modern transit system. It addresses the good and bad aspects of various models and backs up its information with excellent charts and graphs.
- Extensive bibliographies
- Incorporates major legislation
- Rather expensive
| Brand | McGraw-Hill Scie |
|---|---|
| Model | pending |
| Weight | 2.5 pounds |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5.0 |
5. Planning for Growth: Urban and Regional Planning in China
Written by a leading expert on the subject, Planning for Growth: Urban and Regional Planning in China details the ways that Chinese city plans have evolved as the country moves away from a socialist economy. It considers both positive and negative aspects of this change.
- Offered in paperback and hardcover
- A non-western perspective
- Relatively short
| Brand | imusti |
|---|---|
| Model | pending |
| Weight | 14.9 ounces |
| Rating | 4.4 / 5.0 |
4. Becoming an Urban Planner
Becoming an Urban Planner shows how an interest in the field can be transformed into a lifelong career. If you’re considering going to graduate school, but haven’t decided exactly what you want to do yet, this book might inspire you
- Chapter on education requirements
- Interviews and advice from experts
- Easy to understand
| Brand | John Wiley Sons |
|---|---|
| Model | pending |
| Weight | 1.5 pounds |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5.0 |
3. Planning and Urban Design Standards
Planning and Urban Design Standards details many of the best practices and guidelines when it comes to deciding how to use land. On top of explaining concepts, more than 1,400 illustrations will help to cement the most important ideas in readers’ minds.
- A wide variety of topics
- Information about street design
- Each section includes references
| Brand | Planning and Urban Desi |
|---|---|
| Model | pending |
| Weight | 3 pounds |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5.0 |
2. Contemporary Urban Planning
Contemporary Urban Planning will get students acquainted with everything that goes into the job, including the political and legal aspects. It’s the perfect starting point for anyone who has an interest in learning how modern cities are developed.
- Ideas on affordable housing
- Covers public transportation
- Uses real-world examples
| Brand | Contemporary Urban Plan |
|---|---|
| Model | pending |
| Weight | 1.9 pounds |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5.0 |
1. The Oxford Handbook of Urban Planning
The Oxford Handbook of Urban Planning combines the work of leading professionals and seeks to answer the questions of why, how, and who when it comes to designing a city plan. At over 800 pages, this single volume will keep you occupied for a long time.
- More than 45 contributing authors
- Great for both students and experts
- Fantastic aid for a class
| Brand | The Oxford Handbook of |
|---|---|
| Model | pending |
| Weight | 3.2 pounds |
| Rating | 4.6 / 5.0 |