Top Books Selection Criteria

Planetizen’s annual Top Books list is selected at the discretion of Planetizen editors.


The Planetizen Book Lists are subjective. Planetizen readers, editors, professionals, and academics nominate titles for consideration throughout the year. Planetizen editors then make the final determination about which titles will appear on the Planetizen Book Lists. Choices are based on the quality and number of nominations received for a particular title. To qualify for inclusion on the Planetizen Book Lists, the title should meet the following criteria:

  1. The title is considered by the urban planning community to be a "must-read" title for urban planning and development professionals.
  2. The title is currently in print and easily available on either Amazon or at Barnes & Noble.
  3. The title is generally acknowledged to be directly relevant to the field of urban planning.