Ecopolis:

Architecture and Cities
for a Changing Climate

"A magnificent study. In an age where eco- has become the necessary prefix in urban design and building, Downton is a breath of fresh air. He speaks to the best within us and offers not only hope, but a blue -print for achieving sustainable communities that are in touch with people and place. Downton's Ecopolis represents both a vast theoretical knowledge (detailed particularly in a chapter entitled 'weavers of theory') but also the wizened experience of an architect who seeks to implement the ideas he advocates. Included in this volume are accounts of three projects Downton has personally been involved in.
Written in the lineage of Christopher Alexander & Richard Register, Downton's Ecopolis is set to become a modern classic."
Peter Burdon

Ecopolis is a book about cities, ecology and climate change written by one of Australia's leading advocates and pioneers of sustainable architecture. Challenging conventional definitions and limitations of architecture and planning, it proposes a strong trans-disciplinary approach that links built environment professionals,life scientists and the wider community in the design of human settlements as living components of the biosphere.

The book includes what may be the first definition of the purpose of cities in the modern era and introduces the powerful concept of the urban fractal. The author demonstrates the history and lineage of his philosophy through an extensive review of the work of key theorists and practitioners which, in itself, provides a useful reference tool for ecocity theorists.

Identifying key theorists, practitioners, places and philosophies, the book provides a solid theoretical context, and goes on to present a series of design and planning tools for achieving Sustainable Human Ecological Development (SHED). Combining knowledge from diverse fields to present a synthesis of urban ecology, the book will provide a valuable resource for students, researchers and practitioners in architecture, construction, planning, geography and the traditional life sciences.

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Your Home Technical Manual

(4th Edition)

Paul Downton is the editor and a major contributor to this best-selling publication from the federal government. It is available on-line and as a book which can be ordered from the Alternative Technology Association who describe it as "a step-by-step guide for matching building designs to your local climate."
Written by architects, designers and builders for fellow practitioners and you, Your Home is the definitive "how-to" tool for creating a home that is great to live in, affordable to build, and very effective to run. Your Home is the ultimate how-to guide for people who want to save money and the earth.
Your Home is Australia's most comprehensive guide to:

• Building with sustainable materials
• Passive solar design
• Designing and building for your climate
• How to collect and save water
• Insulation products and installation
• Shading and ventilation
• Energy saving appliances
• Solar hot water
• Energy efficient lighting
• Renewable energy for homes

Available on-line from:

http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/index.html

Book available from:

http://shop.ata.org.au/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16382&category_id=249

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Steering Sustainability:
Policy, Practice and Performance

Anitra Nelson, editor

Published by Ashgate, 2007

This book contains a chapter by Paul Downton - "Ecopolis: Concepts, Initiatives and the Purpose of Cities", as well as other authors including Peter Newman, Alan Pears and Jan Sheurer.

"a comprehensive tour of contemporary sustainability practice across Australia, with an emphasis on grass-roots action."

Available from:

http://www.ashgate.com/default.aspx?page=637&calcTitle=1&title_id=9872&edition_id=10629

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Compact Cities
Sustainable Urban Forms for Developing Countries

Rod Burgess and Mike Jenks, editors

Published by Spon Press, 2000

This book contains a chapter by Paul Downton - "Ecopolis: Compact City Environmental Strategies: Calcutta's Urban Ecosystem".

"Over 20 essays, by authors from round the world, present a wide-ranging analysis and debate on an issue that is shown to be of the utmost complexity"
Architecture Review

This book examines and evaluates the merits and defects of compact city approaches in the context of developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Issues of theory, policy and practice relating to sustainability of urban form are examined by a wide range of international academics and practitioners.

Available from Routledge:

http://www.tandfbuiltenvironment.com/books/Compact-Cities-isbn9780419251309

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