Book Review: Dwellbeing: Finding home in the city by Claire Bradbury*

Dwellbeing: Finding home in the city is written by Claire Bradbury – with foreword by Tony Juniper CBE, Chair of Natural England – and is published by The History Press.

With 68 percent of the world’s population predicted to live in cities by 2050, Dwellbeing challenges the myth that cities have to be frantic, hostile, grey spaces which make us feel rootless, hopeless and leave us longing to escape. Instead, the book offers a fresh perspective on seven principles that we must build and rebuild on, if we are to create sustainable futures in our cities and fall back in love with them.

Bradbury suggests that the seven pillars which the city should be built upon are wilderness; nourishment; movement; connection; dwelling; imagination and love.

Each chapter of Dwellbeing explains some of the landscapes; behaviours and experiences in the city which contribute to one of the pillars. For example, the chapter on movement discusses spaces for physical exercise and play; the accessibility of sports facilities and organisations across the world’s cities; the rise of sedentary working; transport between and within cities and the health implications of all of these elements. The chapter goes on to discuss the positives and problems linked to the pillar; gives examples of research and action already in place and suggests future initiatives which individuals, groups of people and those in power might try, to turn some of the negatives of city living into positives.

Alongside this discussion on city life in the 21^st century, Dwellbeing acknowledges the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the topic. The book details how the hyper-local living encouraged by medical isolations, lockdowns and other travel restrictions forced many to interact with their urban environments in new ways. Here, Claire Bradbury’s first-hand knowledge and the experiences & opinions of a huge range of city-dwellers and users are particularly important. The wealth of recent research in the book – detailed in a ‘Sources and further reading’ section at the back – also covers the period of the pandemic in some cases.

Striking the balance between academic and general interest text, Dwellbeing celebrates the people and practical actions (on every scale) that are helping us to make the shift from ‘smart’ to ‘lovable’ cities where we can enjoy finding and making homes.

What I thought of the book

Dwellbeing is a very in-depth and thought-provoking book about a vital, but sometimes controversial, topic. The concepts being discussed were so wide-ranging that the book could have become overwhelming. However, dividing the text around Claire Bradbury’s seven pillars allowed both separation and overlap of ideas in quite a natural, yet organised, way. The seven pillars made what could have been quite a dry, academic text much more emotive and engaging. I did have to think a great deal about the problems, research and solutions being presented in the book, but found it an enjoyable challenge. However, if you’re interested in (to name a few ideas) environmentalism, human geography, contrasting rural & urban life or mental health and well-being, don’t expect to fly through this book as there’s lots of research to look up, ideas to ponder and practical actions to consider.

There are several elements of this book which I particularly like. Although the amount of city-shaping projects shown is obviously limited by the size of the book, those chosen are up-to-date; from varied locations across the world and being undertaken by a range of people – from academics, through charities and other formal organisations, to enthusiastic community groups who had recognised a problem in their area and worked to do something about it. Social inequalities and differences in access to the places and communities of the city are sensitively considered. Dwellbeing does not claim to have the answers to this, or any of the problems of life in the city. Instead, the book investigates why the problems are occurring and shows practical solutions which have worked in specific cases as inspiration. The combination of these two strands allows the reader to genuinely engage with the book, generate their own ideas and consider the issues in their own city. As a call to action, encouraging us to find and create ways to make enjoyable homes in our cities rather than looking to ‘escape’ to the country, Dwellbeing is very effective in its approach.

How much is the book and how can you buy it?

The hardback version costs £16.49; the eBook costs £10.39 and either can be purchased via this link – Hive: Dwellbeing by Claire Bradbury

About the author

Claire Bradbury is the ultimate urban nomad: born in the South African bush, she has spent her life working and living in cities across the globe.

Claire Bradbury is an environmentalist, sustainable futures specialist and wellbeing advocate. Her work has taken her from the African bush, across Europe and Asia. She has worked on pioneering initiatives in The Household of HRH The Prince of Wales and at Action Sustainability, and she joined Carbon Intelligence in Spring 2021. Claire is a passionate advocate for creating sustainable spaces that enhance the health of people and planet. She has spoken to everyone from city dwellers, street artists and planners to chefs, DJs and architects around the world to unearth the everyday actions that have the power to enhance our lives. When not working, she is often found up a mountain or in the bush.

About the Book

Title: Dwellbeing: Finding home in the city

Author: Claire Bradbury

Publisher: The History Press

ISBN: 978-0750996020

Trim Size: 169mm x 260mm x 241mm

Pages: 256

Review by Sharon Corbally

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