"Real urbanism is the solution to creating dynamic urban spaces," states Bernard Zyscovich, author of ULI's new publication "Getting Real About Urbanism". Also referred to as contextual urban design, real urbanism is a planning process that results in authentic urban places reflecting a community's current economic and social underpinnings, while honoring its history. The book provides ground-breaking alternatives to cookie-cutter urban development and outlines the real urbanism planning process.

Written for design professionals, "Getting Real About Urbanism" details the essential elements of real urbanism, describes how to implement sustainable development by capitalizing on the historic advantages of a site, explains ways to engage stakeholders and resolve their concerns, and underscores the importance of anchoring development in a local context, while respecting the natural, historic, built, and human environments.

Lavishly illustrated, "Getting Real About Urbanism", highlights exemplary developments that demonstrate specific applications of real urbanism from a wide variety of urban settings. Projects include Bethesda Row, Bethesda, MD; Legacy at Museum Park, San Jose, CA; Mainstreet in the New Columbia Development, Portland, OR; Midtown Miami, Miami, FL; SouthSide Works, Pittsburgh, PA; and Waterfront Park; Louisville, KY.

Bernard Zyscovich, AIA, is a managing principal of Zyscovich Architects in Miami, FL. He has given lectures on real urbanism throughout the U.S. and his writing on architecture and urban planning has been published in numerous magazines. He received his bachelor of architecture degree from Pratt Institute.

"Getting Real About Urbanism: Contextual Design for Cities" (ISBN: 978-0-87420-105-5; Urban Land Institute, 2008) is available everywhere books are sold, and through the Urban Land Institute at www.uli.org or by calling 1-800-321-5011. The price is $69.95. For a review copy, book cover art, or additional information, contact Peggy Meehan by e-mail at [email protected] or at 202-486-8757.

About the Urban Land Institute
The Urban Land Institute is a nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has nearly 40,000 members worldwide representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.