A Chinese translation of Allen B Jacobs' The Good City - Reflections and Imaginations was published in January. That its publication coincides with the release of the Chinese government's new urbanization plan is timely, as it poses the question what a good city should be like.

One of the world's best known planners and urban design practitioners, the writer contends that cities should be places where people can be fulfilled and where they can fulfill their potential. They should be places where there is freedom, love, ideas, excitement, quietness and joy.

His book would be a good read for China's urban planners and local leaders, whose perception of a good city will have a strong bearing on the future of this country's new urbanization, which is expected to turn about 100 million rural villagers into urban dwellers in the coming six years.