30 key books on urban innovation to shape better cities for all
By | 2025
At Anteverti, we’re constantly asking ourselves a big question:
How can we help design cities that are not only more sustainable, but also truly capable of offering long-term quality of life to the people who live in them?
And it’s not an easy question. Cities are complex, ever-changing ecosystems. And understanding how to improve them through innovation—from multiple disciplines and perspectives—is part of the challenge.
In our day-to-day work with cities and organizations around the world, we turn to books not just for answers, but for inspiration, frameworks, and fresh ideas. Some of these titles are timeless classics; others are newer voices pushing boundaries.
In this post, we’ve gathered a selection of books on urban innovation that have sparked meaningful conversations within our team—books we return to, recommend often, and genuinely love.
Whether you’re an innovator, an urbanist, a policymaker, or simply curious about how cities can work better for everyone, we think you’ll find something here to dig into.
Books to Grasp the Foundations of Contemporary Cities
«The Right to the City» | by Henri Lefebvre
“Urbanism, almost as much as the system, is fashionable. […] At one and the same time it becomes ideology and practice.” These words open this 1968 text by French philosopher Henri Lefebvre, which is considered one of the most insightful contemporary reflections on the role that citizens should play in urban realities—what he called “the right of urban inhabitants to build, decide, and create the city.”
«A City Is Not a Tree» | by Cristopher Alexander
Three years before Lefebvre’s text, architect and design theorist Christopher Alexander published this groundbreaking critique of modern urbanism. Rather than relying on social or political arguments, he drew on structural analysis rooted in emerging ideas from mathematics and cognitive science—arguing that the contemporary city is not a hierarchical “tree,” but a far more complex, interconnected network.
«The Death and Life of Great American Cities» | by Jane Jacobs
“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody,” wrote Jane Jacobs in her game-changing analysis of 20th-century urban planning. Published in 1961, the book challenges conventional planning ideals and advocates for vibrant, diverse, and mixed-use neighborhoods—emphasizing human-centered design, community engagement, walkability, and the preservation of local culture.
«Triumph of the City» | by Edward Glaeser
We fast-forward to 2008 to highlight this work in which economist Edward Glaeser celebrates cities as the driving force of the contemporary world’s economy, culture, and innovation—and explores what has enabled them to become so. At the heart of his answer are density, diversity, and connectivity.
«The Generic City» | by Rem Koolhaas
“Is the contemporary city like the contemporary airport — ‘all the same’?” In 1995, Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas posed this provocative and compelling question in a reflection on identity and differentiation in the creation (and expansion) of the contemporary city under the influence of globalization, questioning whether it is, in fact, «the generic» that increasingly defines them.
«The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces» | by William H. Whyte
How do public spaces in cities function, and how do people interact with them? What makes small urban spaces successful? Focusing on this scale, the 1980 book by urbanist William H. Whyte presents the findings of a groundbreaking project in which he analyzed a series of plazas and parks in New York City from a human behavioral perspective—launching a mini-revolution in the planning and study of public space.
«The City in History. Its Origins, Its Transformations, and Its Prospects» | by Lewis Mumford
Lewis Mumford’s monumental 1961 historical study weaves together a vast range of evidence—from early human settlements to medieval towns to modern commercial hubs—to trace the evolution of urban form throughout civilization. It’s an essential read for understanding where we come from, urbanistically speaking, before we can decide where we’re going.
«City of Quartz» | by Mike Davis
City of Quartz is a critical examination of Los Angeles, focusing on its urban development, social inequalities, and the power structures that shape the city. Davis delves into the history of L.A.’s architecture, political climate, and class divisions, offering a dark view of how the city’s growth has been influenced by corporate interests, racial segregation, and surveillance, ultimately creating a city of exclusion and isolation for many of its inhabitants.
Books on Approaches to Rethinking City-Making
«Cities for People» | by Jan Gehl
What if we designed cities for people first? Jan Gehl’s classic calls for urban planning that prioritizes human well-being — walkability, interaction, vibrant public spaces. A hopeful and practical guide to creating cities that are healthier, more sustainable, and truly livable.
«Happy City» | by Charles Montgomery
Can a city make us happy? Montgomery takes us on a global journey to explore how urban design can boost well-being, connection, and joy. A powerful rethinking of what cities are — and what they could be. The book examines how thoughtfully designed cities can foster social connections, reduce stress, and enhance overall happiness by prioritizing people over cars and creating spaces that encourage interaction and well-being.
«Soft City: Building Density for Everyday Life» | by David Sim
Density doesn’t have to mean chaos. David Sim shows how we can build compact, vibrant cities without sacrificing comfort or community. It’s a vision of everyday urban life that’s social, accessible, and deeply human. Through Transforming City Life, the author illustrates how cities can embrace density while fostering connection and well-being, offering practical solutions for creating urban spaces that are both sustainable and enriching for residents.
«Atlas of the Senseable City» | by Carlo Ratti and Antoine Picon
A deep dive into how sensing technologies and digital mapping are transforming our cities. Ratti and Picon reveal how real-time data — from pollution to traffic to connectivity — allows us to visualize urban life in entirely new ways. As the physical and digital worlds merge, we’re creating a new kind of map to navigate the city of tomorrow.
«The Innovation Complex: Cities, Tech, and the New Economy» | by Sharon Zukin
A powerful critique of how the tech economy is reshaping urban life. Zukin explores how the pursuit of “innovation” often leads to gentrification, displacement, and growing inequality. Far from being neutral, the new economy is transforming cities — and not always for the better.
«Co-Cities. Innovative Transitions toward Just and Self-Sustaining Communities» | by Sheila R. Foster and Christian Iaione
An inspiring look at how collaboration can reshape our cities. Foster and Iaione present real-world models where communities, governments, and private actors share responsibility for building more just, sustainable, and resilient urban spaces. A vision for cities powered by cooperation and collective care.
Books for Building Sustainable and Resilient Cities
«Building Better – Less – Different: Circular Construction and Circular Economy» | by Felix Heisel and Dirk E. Hebel
A call to rethink how we build. This book applies circular economy principles to the construction industry, advocating for buildings that reduce waste, reuse materials, and are designed for adaptability and longevity. A practical and visionary guide to creating a more sustainable and economically responsible built environment.
«Garden city: Supergreen Buildings, Urban Skyscapes and the New Planted Space» | by Anna Yudina
Garden City presents a global survey of innovative architectural projects that merge nature with the built environment to create sustainable, livable cities. Featuring seventy groundbreaking examples from around the world, the book explores how architects are incorporating urban farms, vertical gardens, and even tree houses into city designs.
«Growing Architecture: How to Design and Build with Trees» | by Ferdinand Ludwig and Daniel Schönle
What if buildings could grow with nature? In Growing Architecture, Ludwig and Schönle challenge the idea that architecture and nature are separate. This book introduces Baubotanik — the innovative discipline of designing with trees, where living plants become integral components of architecture. Inspired by ancient techniques, this book showcases projects, prototypes, and visionary concepts that demonstrate the potential of «living» structures.
«Phytopolis, The Living City» | by Stefano Mancuso
A bold vision of “phytopolis”—cities where humans and plants thrive together. Mancuso traces our growing disconnect from nature, arguing that urban life as we know it is unsustainable. With finite resources and climate instability, reconnecting with nature is essential. This book offers a blueprint for future cities in harmony with the environment, where life can breathe, grow, and thrive.
«Reclaimed: New Homes from Old Materials» | by Penny Craswell
This book explores the transformative potential of salvaged materials in architecture. Penny Craswell showcases inspiring projects that repurpose wood, metal, brick, and more to create sustainable, eco-friendly homes. This book highlights how creative reuse not only reduces waste but also breathes new life into materials, offering a forward-thinking approach to responsible construction and sustainable living.
«Resilient city: Landscape Architecture for Climate Change» | by Elke Mertens
How can landscape architecture help cities thrive in the face of climate change? Resilient City explores this question by focusing on how sustainable, adaptive landscapes can mitigate environmental impacts, enhance biodiversity, and improve urban life. Mertens provides a blueprint for designing cities that are not only resilient but also better equipped to face the challenges of a changing climate.
Books for Advancing Inclusion in Public Spaces
«Planet of Slums» | by Mike Davis
Mike Davis delivers a powerful critique of global urbanization through the lens of the world’s rapidly expanding slums, particularly in the Global South. The book exposes the failures of neoliberal policies and international development agendas that have fueled inequality and neglected the needs of the urban poor. It challenges readers to confront the political and economic systems that make cities increasingly unlivable for millions.
«Beyond the City: 10 Case Studies of Informal Cities | by Valter Fabietti and Carlo Pozzi
This book explores ten case studies of informal urban development, showing how communities create resilient, resourceful cities beyond formal planning systems. Beyond the City reframes informality not as failure, but as a source of adaptive, often sustainable urban solutions—offering valuable lessons in self-organization, community resilience, and alternative ways of city-making.
«Rebel Cities: from the Right to The City to The Urban Revolution» | by David Harvey
Rebel Cities reimagines the city as a site of anti-capitalist resistance and a platform for radical change. Drawing from Marxist theory and global case studies Harvey argues that urban spaces, long shaped by capital accumulation, can be reorganized to foster social justice, ecological sustainability, and new forms of collective life. What sets the book apart is its powerful synthesis of geography, economics, and activism—positioning the city not just as a product of capitalism, but as a potential tool to challenge it.
«Streetfight: Handbook for an Urban Revolution» | by Janette Sadik-Khan y Seth Solomonow
A bold transformation of New York City’s streets, reclaiming them from cars and returning them to the people. As transportation commissioners, the authors championed low-cost, high-impact changes—like turning traffic lanes into plazas using just paint—that made streets safer, greener, and more vibrant. With real-world lessons and practical strategies, this book serves as a powerful toolkit for cities everywhere looking to build a more human-centered urban future.
Books on Feminist Urbanism for Gender-Equal Cities
«Feminist City: A Field Guide» | by Leslie Kern
What if the city wasn’t built for everyone? In Feminist City, Leslie Kern blends personal narrative, pop culture, and feminist theory to expose how urban design reinforces gender inequality. From public transit to public toilets, she maps the city through the lived experiences of women and marginalized groups, showing how care, justice, and community could reshape our urban futures. It’s part manifesto, part memoir, and a full-on reimagining of the city through a feminist lens.
«Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men» | by Caroline Criado Perez
A world built on biased data is a world built for men. In Invisible Women, Caroline Criado Perez reveals how gender data gaps distort everything from healthcare and technology to city planning. With compelling case studies and shocking stats, she uncovers how women’s needs are systematically overlooked—sometimes with life-threatening consequences. The innovation here? A demand for evidence-based equity that challenges the very foundations of how we design systems, spaces, and policies.
«Beyond the Threshold. Women, Houses, and Cities» | by Zaida Muxí Martínez
Zaida Muxí rewrites architectural and urban history to center the women it has long ignored. Beyond the Threshold traverses private homes and public cities, challenging patriarchal legacies that have shaped our built environments. By revisiting the contributions of female architects, planners, and thinkers, the author opens the door to more inclusive, equitable spatial design—where gender equality is not an afterthought, but a foundation.
«Women Walk the City in Paris, New York, Tokyo, Venice, and London» | by Lauren Elkin
Traditionally, the “flâneur” was male. Lauren Elkin flips the script. In Flâneuse, she takes us on a literary and personal journey through five iconic cities, walking as women do—navigating freedom, fear, and curiosity. Part memoir, part cultural history, the book is a love letter to urban wandering and a sharp critique of how gender shapes movement in public space. It invites us to consider: what does it mean to truly belong to a city?
Books on Shaping City Narratives for Better Urban Futures
City Branding: Concepts and Tools for Reputation Management and Tourism Development» | by Alex Deffner and Mihalis Kavaratzis
Narratives and city brands have the power to shape realities. They help cities establish a positive public and cultural framework that not only enhances their reputation with external audiences but also strengthens how citizens view their own urban environment. In their 2025 work, professors Deffner and Kavaratzis explore the latest insights on city branding, positioning cities as catalysts for sustainable innovation and change, and unlocking their potential to create the right opportunities.
Vademecum: 77 Minor Terms for Writing Urban Places» | by Svava Riesto, Henriette Steiner, Kris Pint, and Klaske Havik atzis
If communication can shape positive imaginaries, it can just as easily reinforce biases, stereotypes, and negative perceptions. This sociologically grounded work introduces 77 carefully selected terms to encourage a rethinking of how we experience and communicate urban spaces. By bringing in diverse concepts that uncover blind spots and bridge disciplinary perspectives, it aims to transform prevailing narratives and contribute to more inclusive and reflective urban discoruses.
Curious for more?
Subscribe to CitiesToBe here to receive more episodes and insights in your inbox, or check out our YouTube channel for more videos.
Books curated by Anteverti team.
About the authors
Anteverti is a consultancy specialized in helping cities, governments, and companies harness innovation, sustainability and creativity to unlock new opportunities.
Since 2011, its multidisciplinary team has provided strategic and operational support in over 23 countries across 5 continents, advising organizations to plan for the future, seize global opportunities, and adapt to a dynamic world. Clients include cities like Barcelona, Seoul, and Stockholm, as well as national and regional governments such as Argentina and Catalonia or global actors such as the UN, the European Commission, the World Bank, or FC Barcelona.
Anteverti also curates the Smart City Expo World Congress, which has allowed them to build an extensive global network in urban innovation. To leverage all the knowledge they channel, in 2016, Anteverti launched CitiesToBe, a digital platform reflecting on urban challenges.
