Book Review: Jeff Siegler's "Your City is Sick" Deserves Your Attention

 

Jeff Siegler’s Your City Is Sick: How We Can Improve the Economic, Social, Mental and Physical Health of Millions by Treating Our Cities Like People, was published in 2023:

Overview & Premise

Siegler—urban planner, civic pride consultant (founder of Revitalize, or Die), and Pittsburgh resident—argues that the physical, social, mental, and economic health of individuals is deeply shaped by the places they inhabit. Like a physician treats a sick patient, Siegler believes cities must be diagnosed and treated holistically to revitalize struggling communities.

The book contains several sentences that should be printed large and framed in city hall as a reminder for city officials about their role and city residents their own role in overcoming toxic civic relationships and building a sense of community belonging.

Siegler encourages readers to start doing the work to improve their city and says that work falls into the following five categories: building community, improve aesthetics, raise standards, increase ownership and foster identity. Great insights on these and his final chapter that encourages small steps of improvement every day instead of seeking a silver bullet project.

Strengths

Fresh, human-centered framing: Siegler’s metaphor of cities as living beings helps readers think beyond traditional planning rhetoric—shifting focus toward collective well‑being, emotional health, and local agency.

Practical mindset & narrative clarity: The writing is clear and accessible—tailored to both concerned citizens and local leaders. Siegler offers action-oriented insight grounded in his consulting and downtown management experience rather than abstract theory.

Emphasis on small, consistent changes: Siegler underscores that lasting community revival comes not from marquee investments, but from thousands of small decisions enforcing quality, aesthetics, codes, and social norms—ultimately rebuilding pride and cohesion (e.g. illustrated through Hattiesburg, Mississippi’s code enforcement initiative).

Criticisms

Sparse empirical evidence & case studies: As one Goodreads reviewer pointed out, Siegler relies heavily on anecdote over data. While his professional experience is evident, the book includes few well‑documented case studies or references to external research—limiting its use as a policy reference or evidentiary tool.

Repetition and padding: The 180‑page paperback feels slightly padded according to readers. Chapter ideas often wrap up in the first few pages, followed by repeated restatements, making pacing uneven for some.

Reader Impressions

Community praise is high among early readers—especially those already engaged in civic planning or local activism:

One reviewer called the book “amazing”, noting Siegler “brings a fresh perspective” on urbanism, challenging old fix‑it‑fast mindsets, and standing out among typical planning advice.

Another reader, with deep expertise in development literature, compared it favorably to classics like Walkable City, Strong Towns, and Suburban Nation, calling it “the book to read if you care about where you live” and praising its urgency and emotional resonance in a professional context.

Ideal Audience

Community leaders, civic activists, and downtown managers looking for inspiration on how civic pride, resident‐led effort, and design standards fuel healthier places.

Concerned citizens seeking a compelling lens to understand why their town or neighborhood might feel stagnant or demoralized—and what to do about it.

Urban planning advocates interested in the cultural, psychological, and social dimensions of place-making, beyond infrastructure or economic incentives.

Less suitable for those expecting heavily footnoted empirical research or rigorous academic case studies.

Bottom Line

Your City Is Sick is a concise, thought-provoking manifesto—one part urban planning, one part social psychology, and one part civic pep talk. While it trades depth of data for vivid personal insight and actionable metaphors, it delivers a bracing call to reevaluate how we engage with our environment and the future of our communities.

If you’re curious about why places fall into decline—and more importantly, how bottom-up, pride-filled efforts can bring renewal—this book delivers both clarity and motivation.

Written by David L. Burton

MORE INFORMATION

Take the Engaged Neighbor pledge and become part of a movement! The pledge outlines five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge at https://nomoregoodneighbors.com. Individuals who take the pledge do get special invitations to future events online and in person. Contact the blog author, David L. Burton via email at dburton541@yahoo.com or burtond@missouri.edu. You can also visit his website at https://engagedneighbor.com.