Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time

Genuinely one of the most interesting books I’ve ever read, hands down.

Speck explains why and how our cities started being designed first for cars, then for people, and why this is bad. Then he gives us 10 ways to change it, from increasing pedestrian safety, to fixing parking, to making the streets more pleasant to spend time on.

The book is absolutely engrossing, even though I’m not in politics or city planning, and have no vested interest in either, other than just being a good citizen. Speck is a wonderful writer, and the book is simply entertaining, apart from the subject matter. It’s extremely well-supported by references.

And absolutely crucial book, and a pleasure to read. My best book of 2014, so far.