Description
Book Synopsis"Changing the Commons reveals fresh thinking and a strong philosophical grounding in what makes a successful place; it is destined to be a seminal work on the art of placemaking." — Emily H. Axelrod, Former Director at Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence
"The design of the book and the inclusion of excellent photographs, maps, and landscape plans are all outstanding. It is a tribute to his work and a gift not only to his grandchildren, but to all of us who enjoy the ’Commons'." — Joe McBride, Emeritus Professor of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at the University of California at Berkeley
The intense social and environmental fervour that arose in the 1960s and 1970s in response to assaults on the planet’s life support systems, degradation of communities, and socio-economic inequality unleashed revolutionary change at all levels of society. Out of the turmoil of that era, community-based ecological design emerged as a powerful creative force for reshaping the commons, bringing people together, and forming ecologically sustainable relationships with the environment. The stories in this book reveal how the revolution has played out in reconceiving public places in the landscape of every-day life in northern California. The text focuses on the broad human, social, environmental, and cultural aspects of place-making to create liveable, inclusive, sustainable, and treasured spaces. The aesthetic experience of each place is revealed through photos, diagrams, sketches, and plans. Success stories like these offer hope, so sorely needed, for dealing with the seemingly insurmountable current assaults on earth’s life support systems.
Trade Review"Packed with pictures, sketches, and diagrams of multiple shared spaces across Northern California, Roberts’s book addresses this notion and, in so doing, reveals the power of people coming together." - Atla Online
"Readers of Changing the Commons: Stories About Placemaking (ORO Editions, available January 2023 ) by landscape architect John Northmore Roberts will come away with a new appreciation of the importance of landscape architecture to society, a profession whose title is often mistaken as a synonym for gardening. They will also become more aware of how, since the 1970s, movements toward social justice and ecological stewardship have been playing out in our physical environment." - Counter Punch
"Changing the Commons reveals fresh thinking and a strong philosophical grounding in what makes a successful place; it is destined to be a seminal work on the art of placemaking." - Emily H. Axelrod, Former Director at Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence
"The design of the book and the inclusion of excellent photographs, maps, and landscape plans are all outstanding. It is a tribute to his work and a gift not only to his grandchildren, but to all of us who enjoy the "Commons'." - Joe McBride, Emeritus Professor of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at the University of California at Berkeley
Table of ContentsSAN FRANCISCO Swords to Plowshares Peace Park Juana’s Briones's Place of Healing Past and Present The Revolution’s Extraordinary Ordinariness The Stonemason’s Signature REDWOOD NATIONAL AND STATE PARKS. HUMBOLDT COUNTY BERKELEY NAPA AND SONOMA COUNTIES SOUTH BAY COUNTIES MARIN COUNTY Gateway Hometown Community-Building Arts as Catalyst Gardens in the Center of the City Almost Clean and Green Street Theater Rediscovering the Origins of A River Town Into Snoopy’s Head Identity of A Small Town Wine and Friendship Pride of Place Just the Place for An Ice Cream Social Living with Death Coho Re-Wilding Interwoven in the Forest Floor YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK. MARIPOSA COUNTY Yosemite Valley The Heart of A Park Managing the Hordes Access to Wildlands
