“Creating a Better New Mexico,” a slideshow, discussion, brunch and booksigning featuring University of New Mexico Assistant Professor Mark Childs is scheduled Sunday, Jan. 16 at 11 a.m. at Bookworks, 4022 Rio Grande Boulevard, N.W.
In his book, “Squares: A Public Places Design for Urbanists” (UNM Press, $45), Childs looks at playgrounds and street corners, courthouse squares and post office steps to help public policy makers and citizens understand the critical components of a good town.
Childs, director of the Design Planning Assistance Center in the UNM School of Architecture and Planning, has had extensive experience working with communities around New Mexico and globally assessing public spaces. In his book he reveals how cars, media, the natural environment, public art and safety impact urban spaces.
While Childs focuses on the urban environment, Tony Anella, author of “Saving the Ranch, Conservation Easements in the American West,” (Island Press, $30), will talk about rural open spaces.