MetroGreen examines how open-space networks have fared in real scenarios in ten studies of U.S. and Canadian cities paired for comparative analysis—Toronto and Chicago, Calgary and Denver, and Vancouver and Portland among them. Planners, landscape architects, conservationists, and municipal officials will profit from this leading examination of “the tension between the widespread desire for open space and the complexity of and controversy over providing and protecting it.” MetroGreen is the authoritative source for examining the political and social issues affecting implementation of open-space systems.
Erickson
LAND USE PLANNING
MetroGreen Connecting Open Space in North American Cities
Advance praise for MetroGreen
“Erickson’s rigorous scholarship and engaging style will inform and inspire a broad audience of readers—students, professionals, and decision makers alike.” —Paul H. Gobster, Research Social Scientist, USDA Forest Service “Donna Erickson’s MetroGreen will set you imagining interconnected greenspaces all across your city—and her book will give you expert guidance for making such a network a reality. Erickson’s analyses of ten case studies are insightful and instructive and make fascinating reading. —Paul Cawood Hellmund, ASLA; Co-author, Designing Greenways and Ecology of Greenways; President, Conway School of Landscape Design “I see our open spaces as the living rooms of our cities, places where we meet and reflect. MetroGreen has great examples to help us understand our open spaces, in a clearly written and wellresearched text. This book should be a must-read for every local politician and public servant—to refresh or inspire.” —Moura Quayle, Professor of Landscape Architecture, University of British Columbia; Fellow, Canadian Society of Landscape Architects Donna Erickson researched and wrote MetroGreen during her tenure as associate professor of landscape architecture in the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Michigan. She has published extensively in design, planning, and conservation journals and books, and is the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship. She is now a consultant on open-space conservation in the Rocky Mountain West and is an adjunct professor at the University of Michigan. Cover design by Brian C. Barth Cover photo by Mel Buschert
Washington • Covelo • London www.islandpress.org All Island Press books are printed on recycled, acid-free paper.
MetroGreen
“Not since Olmsted has there been such a profound vision for re-shaping our cities. Erickson chronicles, with successful examples, the city-beautiful movement for our time: sustainable networks of interconnected greenways, green infrastructure and trails—places for people and for nature. This is more than an informative, thought-provoking read. It is a must-have reference to be kept in easy reach!” —Robert Searns, President, American Trails; co-author of Greenways: A Guide To Planning Design and Development
D ONNA ERICKSON