So far, we’ve read Walkable City by Jeff Speck and Building & Dwelling by Richard Sennett. In early 2026, we’ll begin our next book. Join to receive updates!
The Urbanist Book Club is for anyone interested in urbanism. We will meet monthly for low key discussions of the books, network and sip on coffee. We move around to local area cafés and small businesses each month.
First Book Choice (based on poll suggestions):
Walkable City by Jeff Speck (2012)
Jeff Speck has dedicated his career to determining what makes cities thrive. And he has boiled it down to one key factor: walkability. The very idea of a modern metropolis evokes visions of bustling sidewalks, vital mass transit, and a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly urban core. But in the typical American city, the car is still king, and downtown is a place that’s easy to drive to but often not worth arriving at. Making walkability happen is relatively easy and cheap; seeing exactly what needs to be done is the trick. In this essential new book, Speck reveals the invisible workings of the city, how simple decisions have cascading effects, and how we can all make the right choices for our communities. Bursting with sharp observations and real-world examples, giving key insight into what urban planners actually do and how places can and do change, Walkable City lays out a practical, necessary, and eminently achievable vision of how to make our normal American cities great again.
Jeff Speck TED TALK: https://www.ted.com/talks/jeff_speck_the_walkable_city?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare
Contact Us
You can reach us at contact@syracuseurbanism.org with the subject “Book Club”.