Sidewalking: Coming to Terms with Los Angeles - Hardcover

Sidewalking: Coming to Terms with Los Angeles

In Sidewalking, David L. Ulin offers a compelling inquiry into the evolving landscape of Los Angeles. Part personal narrative, part investigation of the city as both idea and environment, Sidewalking is many things: a discussion of Los Angeles as urban space, a history of the city's built environment, a meditation on the author's relationship to the city, and a rumination on the art of urban walking. Exploring Los Angeles through the soles of his feet, Ulin gets at the experience of its street life, drawing from urban theory, pop culture, and literature. For readers interested in the culture of Los Angeles, this book offers a pointed look beneath the surface in order to see, and engage with, the city on its own terms.

What You'll Discover

This book combines urban theory with personal observation to examine Los Angeles from street level. Ulin investigates the city's built environment through walking, offering insights into LA's architectural history and pedestrian culture. The narrative weaves together urban studies, literary analysis, and cultural commentary to present Los Angeles as both physical space and cultural idea.

Key Themes

The book addresses urban walking as a method of understanding cities, particularly Los Angeles. It explores how street life shapes urban identity and examines the relationship between pedestrians and the built environment. Drawing from pop culture and literature, Ulin provides context for understanding LA's unique urban character.