Cities, as the hubs of energy consumption, are one of the most important focus areas to ensure a sustainable future. It is essential that they remain vibrant, dynamic spaces that belong to the city dwellers rather than planners. Using his hometown of Vancouver, the poster city for sustainable development, Matt Hern pieces together a very different picture of urban renewal, one in which space retains its unique character. Each chapter focuses on a central theme of city life including diversity, street life, crime, population density and gentrification.