The author defines "lost space" as the unstructured space, landscape or edges that appear as leftovers from the urban structure. They are the 'no man's land' that no one is interested in maintaining or using. They are “….undesirable urban areas that need to be redesigned: anti-spaces that do not contribute positively to the environment or users” [5]​.

The first chapter presents the basic definitions of what is considered "lost spaces" and explains the causes that generate it: the predominance of the automobile, the architectural conception of the Modern Movement, the processes of urban renewal and zoning policies, the dominance of private interests over public ones and changes in land use in urban centers.

The second chapter details the evolution of urban spaces in the 20th century, as well as significant movements in the design and physical planning of the city. It also analyzes the impact of the ideals of functionalism "Functionalism (architecture)") in urban areas, clearly presenting the aspects that the author considers worrying in the way in which these ideals are physically manifested in the configuration of modern streets and squares, in predominantly vertical cities, with underground squares and shopping centers.

The third chapter analyzes the historical precedents of approaches to urban space, analyzing what the author calls hard space and soft space, their relevance and appropriate situations.

The fourth chapter corresponds to the most relevant theoretical proposal of the book, examining the three approaches to the theory of urban design proposed by the author: figure-ground theory, theory of links and theory of place.[5][4]​.

The fifth chapter presents four urban case studies to show the application of urban design theories at various scales: Boston, Massachusetts and Washington D.C., in the United States; Göteborg in Sweden; and Byker, Newcastle in England.

Finally, the last chapter analyzes an integrated approach to urban design developing a series of basic principles: sequential movement, lateral enclosures and continuity of edges, integration and reinforcement of urban activities, axes and perspectives, and appropriate transitions between interior and exterior space. Trancik concludes by precisely defining the role of the urban designer and proposing how the design process should be undertaken.

The book was originally published by Van Nostrand Reinhold[13]​ in 1986, which was later acquired by John Wiley & Sons in the 1990s.[14]​.

The author defines "lost space" as the unstructured space, landscape or edges that appear as leftovers from the urban structure. They are the 'no man's land' that no one is interested in maintaining or using. They are “….undesirable urban areas that need to be redesigned: anti-spaces that do not contribute positively to the environment or users” [5]​.

The first chapter presents the basic definitions of what is considered "lost spaces" and explains the causes that generate it: the predominance of the automobile, the architectural conception of the Modern Movement, the processes of urban renewal and zoning policies, the dominance of private interests over public ones and changes in land use in urban centers.

The second chapter details the evolution of urban spaces in the 20th century, as well as significant movements in the design and physical planning of the city. It also analyzes the impact of the ideals of functionalism "Functionalism (architecture)") in urban areas, clearly presenting the aspects that the author considers worrying in the way in which these ideals are physically manifested in the configuration of modern streets and squares, in predominantly vertical cities, with underground squares and shopping centers.

The third chapter analyzes the historical precedents of approaches to urban space, analyzing what the author calls hard space and soft space, their relevance and appropriate situations.

The fourth chapter corresponds to the most relevant theoretical proposal of the book, examining the three approaches to the theory of urban design proposed by the author: figure-ground theory, theory of links and theory of place.[5][4]​.

The fifth chapter presents four urban case studies to show the application of urban design theories at various scales: Boston, Massachusetts and Washington D.C., in the United States; Göteborg in Sweden; and Byker, Newcastle in England.

Finally, the last chapter analyzes an integrated approach to urban design developing a series of basic principles: sequential movement, lateral enclosures and continuity of edges, integration and reinforcement of urban activities, axes and perspectives, and appropriate transitions between interior and exterior space. Trancik concludes by precisely defining the role of the urban designer and proposing how the design process should be undertaken.

The book was originally published by Van Nostrand Reinhold[13]​ in 1986, which was later acquired by John Wiley & Sons in the 1990s.[14]​.