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Urban Design for an Urban Century: Shaping More Livable, Equitable, and Resilient Cities
This book offers a comprehensive introduction to urban design, from a historical overview and basic principles to practical design concepts and strategies. It discusses the demographic, environmental, economic, and social issues that influence the decision-making and implementation processes of urban design. The Second Edition has been fully revised to include thorough coverage of sustainability issues and to integrate new case studies into the core concepts discussed.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
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October 8, 2023
Urban Design 101 and much more
I am sure this book was designed as an introduction to urban design. It has all the structure of a textbook. There is a plethora of design layouts and actual photographs spanning the history of photographs. Each chapter has notes at the end of that chapter; this makes it convenient for the hard copy. Hopefully, when a Kindle or online version is made it will be “X-Ray: Enabled” or have hyperlinks to notes and newer material.” The photographs are mostly monochrome with some exceptions. The writing is excellent; however, you will need to learn a few acronyms and be familiar with a few institutions.
The book has three authors. At the time of this review Oliver Gillham, AIA is deceased. Yet his influence is still present in this book.
The book does not have to be read from front to back. However, if you skip around you will need to first be familiar with:
The Congrès Internationaux d'architecture moderne – CIAM (International Congresses of Modern Architecture) was an organization founded in 1928 and disbanded in 1959, responsible for a series of events and congresses arranged around the world by the most prominent architects of the time, to spread the principles of the Modern Movement focusing in all the main domains of architecture (such as landscape, urbanism, industrial design, and many others).
The CIAM plays a big part in this book that shows international Urban Design.
I found it great fun to peruse by first looking at a few cities and structures that I am familiar with (including their history.) After reading the introduction I skipped to some of my favorite cities. I could not help but laugh reading about how designer Victor Gruen had a 1956 plan for the urban renewal of Ft. Worth, but Texas would not spring for Any Federal money. He did not understand the mindset of Texas. There are no recent pictures or plans of Ft. Worth’s water garden or subway. Just a note: I was living in Ft. Worth in 1956.
There is also a good bit of information on LA (Los Angeles) including the famous riverbed that housed giant ants in the movie “Them!” (1954.) Mia Lehrer + Associates planned to make a garden spot of the river. Note: the river is just a cement viaduct. Yet I spent some time exploring it with friends in the late ’50s.
I could go on; however, it is time whether from an urban design, historical, or just curious nature about cities around the world, it is time for you to purchase this book to fill a curiosity that you do not realize you have.
I am sure this book was designed as an introduction to urban design. It has all the structure of a textbook. There is a plethora of design layouts and actual photographs spanning the history of photographs. Each chapter has notes at the end of that chapter; this makes it convenient for the hard copy. Hopefully, when a Kindle or online version is made it will be “X-Ray: Enabled” or have hyperlinks to notes and newer material.” The photographs are mostly monochrome with some exceptions. The writing is excellent; however, you will need to learn a few acronyms and be familiar with a few institutions.
The book has three authors. At the time of this review Oliver Gillham, AIA is deceased. Yet his influence is still present in this book.
The book does not have to be read from front to back. However, if you skip around you will need to first be familiar with:
The Congrès Internationaux d'architecture moderne – CIAM (International Congresses of Modern Architecture) was an organization founded in 1928 and disbanded in 1959, responsible for a series of events and congresses arranged around the world by the most prominent architects of the time, to spread the principles of the Modern Movement focusing in all the main domains of architecture (such as landscape, urbanism, industrial design, and many others).
The CIAM plays a big part in this book that shows international Urban Design.
I found it great fun to peruse by first looking at a few cities and structures that I am familiar with (including their history.) After reading the introduction I skipped to some of my favorite cities. I could not help but laugh reading about how designer Victor Gruen had a 1956 plan for the urban renewal of Ft. Worth, but Texas would not spring for Any Federal money. He did not understand the mindset of Texas. There are no recent pictures or plans of Ft. Worth’s water garden or subway. Just a note: I was living in Ft. Worth in 1956.
There is also a good bit of information on LA (Los Angeles) including the famous riverbed that housed giant ants in the movie “Them!” (1954.) Mia Lehrer + Associates planned to make a garden spot of the river. Note: the river is just a cement viaduct. Yet I spent some time exploring it with friends in the late ’50s.
I could go on; however, it is time whether from an urban design, historical, or just curious nature about cities around the world, it is time for you to purchase this book to fill a curiosity that you do not realize you have.
Displaying 1 of 1 review