By Craig S. Beavers, AICP Candidate

March is National Reading Month, so it’s the perfect opportunity to crack open a new book! Here are a few of our recommended reads for 2025:

Killed by a Traffic Engineer: Shattering the Delusion That Science Underlies Our Transportation System
By Wes Marshall
In the United States, traffic fatalities continue to climb around the country, despite best efforts from planners and local officials. The question to be asked is: why? Civil engineer Wes Marshall attempts to unravel the truth behind transportation engineering and the outdated practices it is based upon. Marshall explores the manuals, standards, and practices formed decades in the past, interlaced with personal stories and easy-to-understand explanations, to motivate planners and engineers to demand change.

Poverty, By America
By Matthew Desmond
We are all aware of the poverty that exists in our communities, but few have taken the time to contextualize such a complex issue into a concise message. Desmond attempts to do just that, exploring the degradation of our job market and how it preys upon low-income Americans, and proposing bold solutions for reform. This is a great read for planners on the role we play in advocating for our disadvantaged communities and our obligation to promote positive reform.

Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World
By Sara Bronin
Bronin examines how zoning regulations have fundamentally transformed communities across the United States, from its origins in the late 19th Century to the present day. Highlighting how invisible zoning can appear to the average public, the book discusses the need for reform to improve our built environment, mitigate natural disasters, and revitalize communities. For any planners involved with land use decisions, this is an invaluable read for deeper insight on the impact of regulations.

The High Cost of Free Parking
By Donald Shoup
As we remember and celebrate the life of the late Donald Shoup, FAICP, we would be remiss to not recommend The High Cost of Free Parking. One of the most revolutionary books of the 21st century, Shoup exposes the hidden economic, social, and environmental costs of parking mandates. This comprehensive anthology analyzes how car dependency, traffic congestion, and land use destruction for parking have changed our cities and town, and what action planners should take to bring around reform for sustainable city design. While a lengthy read, it is a must-read for all planners, elected/appointed officials, and anyone interested in promoting their communities.