'Altering Houses and Small-scale Residential Development' is a practical guide for home owners and those undertaking residential building projects. It is also useful for students and emerging professionals concerned with the built environment, especially small-scale development procedures. Undertaking house alterations can be daunting, not least because considerations of cost, design and method can simultaneously demand urgent and careful attention. In addition, there are regulations and the law to be satisfied, contracts to be entered into and a host of potential problems concerned with the form and condition of the building itself. It is a rare building which is not defective in some way, but putting things right can be very satisfying. The Bridgers' book assumes that many home owners now wish to understand more clearly what goes on when they commission contractors and consultants to convert and adapt their homes. Or course, there are also people who intend to manage a project themselves, while others may undertake work on a DIY basis, and the secret then is getting the right kind of help. This book will be invaluable in either situation because it explains how to perform certain functions yourself, yet clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the professionals who may be needed to help with the processes of buying, altering and selling a house. The economic factors in development are not overlooked since, for people who wish to develop in order to sell or let property, market conditions will be paramount, as will the forecasting and control of costs. This book provides practical guidance on these matters; it avoids theory, but does suggest further reading. It is also highly illustrated with over 100 illustrations clarifying parts of the text. The main theme of this book is altering houses but, in practice, the differences between some alterations schemes and building a new house can be relatively small. As a result, much of the material will be useful for those who wish to acquire a plot of land and undertake a modest residential development. Altering or building houses and selling them can be a complex business, covering a wide range of interrelated factors. This book will make these processes easier.

A new way forward for sustainable quality of life in cities of all sizes Strong Towns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Build American Prosperity is a book of forward-thinking ideas that breaks with modern wisdom to present a new vision of urban development in the United States. Presenting the foundational ideas of the Strong Towns movement he co-founded, Charles Marohn explains why cities of all sizes continue to struggle to meet their basic needs, and reveals the new paradigm that can solve this longstanding problem. Inside, you’ll learn why inducing growth and development has been the conventional response to urban financial struggles—and why it just doesn’t work. New development and high-risk investing don’t generate enough wealth to support itself, and cities continue to struggle. Read this book to find out how cities large and small can focus on bottom-up investments to minimize risk and maximize their ability to strengthen the community financially and improve citizens’ quality of life. Develop in-depth knowledge of the underlying logic behind the “traditional” search for never-ending urban growth Learn practical solutions for ameliorating financial struggles through low-risk investment and a grassroots focus Gain insights and tools that can stop the vicious cycle of budget shortfalls and unexpected downturns Become a part of the Strong Towns revolution by shifting the focus away from top-down growth toward rebuilding American prosperity Strong Towns acknowledges that there is a problem with the American approach to growth and shows community leaders a new way forward. The Strong Towns response is a revolution in how we assemble the places we live.

Since the first edition was published in 1983, Building Surveys has been the core text in its field for students and professionals alike. Covering everything needed for initial inspections such as equipment, know-how and procedures to writing an accurate report, this book is a proven indispensable guide. This 6th edition has been updated to include changes in legislation and recent court cases, and highlights new concerns such as asbestos, contamination and energy efficiency in buildings. The book also contains details on the recently introduced Home Condition Report. It considers all the structural elements required when surveying a property for example, foundations, walls and roofs as well as what to look out for and how to deal with it. Legal considerations and recent cases are used to illustrate good working practice making this a comprehensive text to this important subject.

Building Surveys has been a trusted guide for both students and professionals for over 30 years.It covers everything needed for initial inspections such as equipment, know-how and procedures to writing an accurate report, making it indispensable to those practicing in or studying this field.

Introduction; Feasibility; Principles of Building Conversion; Adaptive fuses; Lateral extensions; Vertical extensions; Structural alterations; Principles of refurbishment; Further aspects of refurbishment; Sustainable adaptation; Implementation; Appendices.

Published to accompany the exhibition held at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, 28 Sept. 2010-3 Jan. 2011.

This book tells about the pivotal role of land in Hong Kong is always a vital resource in a dynamic economy.

This text describes the creation of garden suburbs, particularly by private enterprise in England during the 1920s and 1930s, and how they have changed over time in response to social, economic and cultural change.