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This book presents an interplay of imaginative memoir-telling, action research data and future projection that reminds and inspires experiences academics, researchers, professionals, as well as a wider public to recognize the fundamental importance and the impellent need for more and better work in favour of true political and societal recognition of the needs and rights of children to play freely, to participate, to live fully and enjoy their neighbourhoods and cities, and to imagine and construct alternative futures, together with adults.
The book's abundant spoken dialogue is, in effect, storytelling between children (and youth) on their own and with adults (especially the elderly). It conveys an appreciation of children's special capacities to think critically about their everyday places-and the greater world around them-and to develop solutions (or 'projects') for the problems they identify. This book serves an effective catalyst for stimulating rich discussion of the theoretical and practical bases of the many themes, or areas of study, which are treated in the story.
List of contents
Part 1. A New Home ... awakening: The Little Child - Microcosm in Expansion ... asking why.- The Old Man - Getting grounded ... remembering why.- Part 2. A New Street ... exploring and bonding: The Child - Free play, friendship and learning.- The Old Man - Getting around ... recovering commitment.- Part 3. A New Community ... encountering, reflecting and taking part: The Boy - Growing up and out into 'a world beyond the hood'.- Part 4. A New World ... investigating, visioning, engaging and creating: The Young Man walking in the Shadows.- The Old Man reaching for the Light.- Postscript.- Index.
About the author
Raymond Lorenzo is Community-based City Planner (Harvard GSD, 1975) with considerable experience in university teaching. These have included the City University of New York Graduate School, The Open University and various Italian Universities. At present, he teaches "Place Making and Sustainable Communities" at The Umbra Institute, American Study Abroad, in Perugia Italy.
