BOOKS

DURAND - A NEIGHBOURHOOD RECLAIMED is a contemporary study of a citizens' association and its role during the last three decades in preserving a historic downtown district in Hamilton, Ontario. It echoes the experience of many older inner cities throughout North America blighted by decaying downtowns, demolition of heritage sites, inappropriate high-rise residential development, intrusive traffic and other ills. The story of the Durand Neighbourhood Association shows how public participation can make a difference in a community. It has relevance for anyone concerned about the ongoing reshaping of our urban municipalities.

DURAND CHRONICLE 1972-2000: THREE DECADES OF COMMUNITY SERVICE is a chronology of events detailing the history of the Durand Neighbourhood Association. It begins with its formation in 1972 to combat massive high-rise development and spans three decades of active citizens' involvement in the preservation of this historic inner-city district in Hamilton, Ontario. It will be a useful reference for anyone interested in the evolution of a community organization and the public's right to participate in the urban political process. It covers a wide range of issues: neighbourhood and downtown planning, demolition and development, heritage preservation, traffic and transportation, housing, school, open space and commercial development.

The Author, Russell Elman, is a former journalist and college professor who lives in the Durand Neighbourhood. He readily admits to becoming an instant community activist on the news that a high-rise apartment was about to displace almost every house on his own block. He has since gained a unique insight into the issues confronting this inner-city Hamilton district by serving on various planning advisory committees and becoming involved in the Durand Neighbourhood Association. In telling its story, he writes: "I have endeavoured to be as complete and as impartial as possible in recounting its successes and failures, its battles won and lost".