The concept of “place work” might not be familiar to most urban planners, but it’s a critical element of city life that deserves our attention. In a fascinating conversation on the Booked On Planning podcast, author Gabrielle Bendiner-Viani discusses her book “The Cities We Need: Essential Stories of Everyday Places,” offering insights into how everyday spaces shape our communities and individual identities.

Alexandra Lang’s recent book “Meet Me by the Fountain: An Inside History of the Mall,” is an exploration of the mall as both a physical structure and a cultural phenomenon providing unexpected insights into how we might better design our communities.

Mack’s book discusses the power of genuine connections and their ability to create resilient communities, drawing inspiration from historical studies and successful initiatives worldwide.