How to Read Towns and Cities

How to Read Towns and Cities

Author: Jonathan Glancey

Publisher: Bloomsbury Visual Arts

Published: 2019-10-31

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 9781789940169

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How to Read Towns & Cities is a pocket-sized primer to understanding the forces that have shaped the world's cities. It takes a practical, highly visual approach - showing us how to read the stories embedded in the fabric of the neighbourhoods, towns, and cities in which we live today. The fortunes of towns and cities rise and fall along with the fate of the civilisations to which they belong. Some are lost entirely, now no more than ruins; others have thrived as urban centres for millennia; and all contain vital clues embedded in their streets and skylines which reveal why their inhabitants grouped together, and tell of their unique social, political and cultural histories. Packed with plans, maps, and drawings, this book takes the reader on an international journey of discovery to explore the history of cities from our earliest urban origins to the contemporary world city - from Babylon to Beijing, London to Paris, and from the skyscrapers of New York to the streets of their own home town. A must-read for anyone interested in history, cities, and travel, this fascinating book turns the reader into urban detective to see how our towns and cities grew the way they are.


Book Synopsis How to Read Towns and Cities by : Jonathan Glancey

Download or read book How to Read Towns and Cities written by Jonathan Glancey and published by Bloomsbury Visual Arts. This book was released on 2019-10-31 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How to Read Towns & Cities is a pocket-sized primer to understanding the forces that have shaped the world's cities. It takes a practical, highly visual approach - showing us how to read the stories embedded in the fabric of the neighbourhoods, towns, and cities in which we live today. The fortunes of towns and cities rise and fall along with the fate of the civilisations to which they belong. Some are lost entirely, now no more than ruins; others have thrived as urban centres for millennia; and all contain vital clues embedded in their streets and skylines which reveal why their inhabitants grouped together, and tell of their unique social, political and cultural histories. Packed with plans, maps, and drawings, this book takes the reader on an international journey of discovery to explore the history of cities from our earliest urban origins to the contemporary world city - from Babylon to Beijing, London to Paris, and from the skyscrapers of New York to the streets of their own home town. A must-read for anyone interested in history, cities, and travel, this fascinating book turns the reader into urban detective to see how our towns and cities grew the way they are.

Close-Up

Close-Up

Author: Grady Clay

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 1980-04-15

Total Pages: 212

ISBN-13: 9780226109459

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"Grady Clay looks hard at the landscape, finding out who built what and why, noticing who participates in a city's success and who gets left in a 'sink,' or depressed (often literally) area. Clay doesn't stay in the city; he looks at industrial towns, truck stops, suburbs—nearly anywhere people live or work. His style is witty and readable, and the book is crammed with illustrations that clarify his points. If I had to pick up one book to guide my observations of the American scene, this would be it."—Sonia Simone, Whole Earth Review "The emphasis on the informal aspects of city-shaping—topographical, historical, economic and social—does much to counteract the formalist approach to American urban design. Close-Up...should be required reading for anyone wishing to understand Americans and their cities."—Roger Cunliffe, Architectural Review "Close-Up is a provocative and stimulating book."—Thomas J. Schlereth, Winterthur Portfolio "Within this coherent string of essays, the urban dweller or observer, as well as the student, will find refreshing strategies for viewing the environmental 'situations' interacting to form a landscape."—Dallas Morning News "Clay's Close-Up, first published in 1973, is still a key book for looking at the real American city. Too many urban books and guidebooks concentrate on the good parts of the city....Clay looks at all parts of the city, the suburbs, and the places between cities, and develops new terms to describe parts of the built environment—fronts, strips, beats, stacks, sinks, and turf. No one who wants to understand American cities or to describe them, should fail to know this book. The illustrations are of special interest to the guidebook writer."—American Urban Guidenotes


Book Synopsis Close-Up by : Grady Clay

Download or read book Close-Up written by Grady Clay and published by University of Chicago Press. This book was released on 1980-04-15 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Grady Clay looks hard at the landscape, finding out who built what and why, noticing who participates in a city's success and who gets left in a 'sink,' or depressed (often literally) area. Clay doesn't stay in the city; he looks at industrial towns, truck stops, suburbs—nearly anywhere people live or work. His style is witty and readable, and the book is crammed with illustrations that clarify his points. If I had to pick up one book to guide my observations of the American scene, this would be it."—Sonia Simone, Whole Earth Review "The emphasis on the informal aspects of city-shaping—topographical, historical, economic and social—does much to counteract the formalist approach to American urban design. Close-Up...should be required reading for anyone wishing to understand Americans and their cities."—Roger Cunliffe, Architectural Review "Close-Up is a provocative and stimulating book."—Thomas J. Schlereth, Winterthur Portfolio "Within this coherent string of essays, the urban dweller or observer, as well as the student, will find refreshing strategies for viewing the environmental 'situations' interacting to form a landscape."—Dallas Morning News "Clay's Close-Up, first published in 1973, is still a key book for looking at the real American city. Too many urban books and guidebooks concentrate on the good parts of the city....Clay looks at all parts of the city, the suburbs, and the places between cities, and develops new terms to describe parts of the built environment—fronts, strips, beats, stacks, sinks, and turf. No one who wants to understand American cities or to describe them, should fail to know this book. The illustrations are of special interest to the guidebook writer."—American Urban Guidenotes

The Heart of the City

The Heart of the City

Author: Alexander Garvin

Publisher:

Published: 2019-05-07

Total Pages: 266

ISBN-13: 1610919491

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Downtowns are more than economic engines: they are repositories of knowledge and culture and generators of new ideas, technology, and ventures. They are the heart of the city that drives its future. If we are to have healthy downtowns, we need to understand what downtown is all about; how and why some American downtowns never stopped thriving (such as San Jose and Houston), some have been in decline for half a century (including Detroit and St. Louis), and still others are resurging after temporary decline (many, including Lower Manhattan and Los Angeles). The downtowns that are prospering are those that more easily adapt to changing needs and lifestyles. In The Heart of the City, distinguished urban planner Alexander Garvin shares lessons on how to plan for a mix of housing, businesses, and attractions; enhance the public realm; improve mobility; and successfully manage downtown services. Garvin opens the book with diagnoses of downtowns across the United States, including the people, businesses, institutions, and public agencies implementing changes. In a review of prescriptions and treatments for any downtown, Garvin shares brief accounts--of both successes and failures--of what individuals with very different objectives have done to change their downtowns. The final chapters look at what is possible for downtowns in the future, closing with suggested national, state, and local legislation to create standard downtown business improvement districts to better manage downtowns. This book will help public officials, civic organizations, downtown business property owners, and people who care about cities learn from successful recent actions in downtowns across the country, and expand opportunities facing their downtown. Garvin provides recommendations for continuing actions to help any downtown thrive, ensuring a prosperous and thrilling future for the 21st-century American city.


Book Synopsis The Heart of the City by : Alexander Garvin

Download or read book The Heart of the City written by Alexander Garvin and published by . This book was released on 2019-05-07 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Downtowns are more than economic engines: they are repositories of knowledge and culture and generators of new ideas, technology, and ventures. They are the heart of the city that drives its future. If we are to have healthy downtowns, we need to understand what downtown is all about; how and why some American downtowns never stopped thriving (such as San Jose and Houston), some have been in decline for half a century (including Detroit and St. Louis), and still others are resurging after temporary decline (many, including Lower Manhattan and Los Angeles). The downtowns that are prospering are those that more easily adapt to changing needs and lifestyles. In The Heart of the City, distinguished urban planner Alexander Garvin shares lessons on how to plan for a mix of housing, businesses, and attractions; enhance the public realm; improve mobility; and successfully manage downtown services. Garvin opens the book with diagnoses of downtowns across the United States, including the people, businesses, institutions, and public agencies implementing changes. In a review of prescriptions and treatments for any downtown, Garvin shares brief accounts--of both successes and failures--of what individuals with very different objectives have done to change their downtowns. The final chapters look at what is possible for downtowns in the future, closing with suggested national, state, and local legislation to create standard downtown business improvement districts to better manage downtowns. This book will help public officials, civic organizations, downtown business property owners, and people who care about cities learn from successful recent actions in downtowns across the country, and expand opportunities facing their downtown. Garvin provides recommendations for continuing actions to help any downtown thrive, ensuring a prosperous and thrilling future for the 21st-century American city.

Streets and the Shaping of Towns and Cities

Streets and the Shaping of Towns and Cities

Author: Michael Southworth

Publisher: Island Press

Published: 2013-04-22

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13: 1610911091

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The topic of streets and street design is of compelling interest today as public officials, developers, and community activists seek to reshape urban patterns to achieve more sustainable forms of growth and development. Streets and the Shaping of Towns and Cities traces ideas about street design and layout back to the early industrial era in London suburbs and then on through their institutionalization in housing and transportation planning in the United States. It critiques the situation we are in and suggests some ways out that are less rigidly controlled, more flexible, and responsive to local conditions. Originally published in 1997, this edition includes a new introduction that addresses topics of current interest including revised standards from the Institute of Transportation Engineers; changes in city plans and development standards following New Urbanist, Smart Growth, and sustainability principles; traffic calming; and ecologically oriented street design.


Book Synopsis Streets and the Shaping of Towns and Cities by : Michael Southworth

Download or read book Streets and the Shaping of Towns and Cities written by Michael Southworth and published by Island Press. This book was released on 2013-04-22 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The topic of streets and street design is of compelling interest today as public officials, developers, and community activists seek to reshape urban patterns to achieve more sustainable forms of growth and development. Streets and the Shaping of Towns and Cities traces ideas about street design and layout back to the early industrial era in London suburbs and then on through their institutionalization in housing and transportation planning in the United States. It critiques the situation we are in and suggests some ways out that are less rigidly controlled, more flexible, and responsive to local conditions. Originally published in 1997, this edition includes a new introduction that addresses topics of current interest including revised standards from the Institute of Transportation Engineers; changes in city plans and development standards following New Urbanist, Smart Growth, and sustainability principles; traffic calming; and ecologically oriented street design.

Urban Design, the Architecture of Towns and Cities

Urban Design, the Architecture of Towns and Cities

Author: Paul D. Spreiregen

Publisher:

Published: 1981

Total Pages: 266

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Urban Design, the Architecture of Towns and Cities by : Paul D. Spreiregen

Download or read book Urban Design, the Architecture of Towns and Cities written by Paul D. Spreiregen and published by . This book was released on 1981 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

The Image of the City

The Image of the City

Author: Kevin Lynch

Publisher: MIT Press

Published: 1964-06-15

Total Pages: 212

ISBN-13: 9780262620017

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The classic work on the evaluation of city form. What does the city's form actually mean to the people who live there? What can the city planner do to make the city's image more vivid and memorable to the city dweller? To answer these questions, Mr. Lynch, supported by studies of Los Angeles, Boston, and Jersey City, formulates a new criterion—imageability—and shows its potential value as a guide for the building and rebuilding of cities. The wide scope of this study leads to an original and vital method for the evaluation of city form. The architect, the planner, and certainly the city dweller will all want to read this book.


Book Synopsis The Image of the City by : Kevin Lynch

Download or read book The Image of the City written by Kevin Lynch and published by MIT Press. This book was released on 1964-06-15 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The classic work on the evaluation of city form. What does the city's form actually mean to the people who live there? What can the city planner do to make the city's image more vivid and memorable to the city dweller? To answer these questions, Mr. Lynch, supported by studies of Los Angeles, Boston, and Jersey City, formulates a new criterion—imageability—and shows its potential value as a guide for the building and rebuilding of cities. The wide scope of this study leads to an original and vital method for the evaluation of city form. The architect, the planner, and certainly the city dweller will all want to read this book.

Strong Towns

Strong Towns

Author: Charles L. Marohn, Jr.

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2019-10-01

Total Pages: 262

ISBN-13: 1119564816

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A new way forward for sustainable quality of life in cities of all sizes Strong Towns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Build American Prosperity is a book of forward-thinking ideas that breaks with modern wisdom to present a new vision of urban development in the United States. Presenting the foundational ideas of the Strong Towns movement he co-founded, Charles Marohn explains why cities of all sizes continue to struggle to meet their basic needs, and reveals the new paradigm that can solve this longstanding problem. Inside, you’ll learn why inducing growth and development has been the conventional response to urban financial struggles—and why it just doesn’t work. New development and high-risk investing don’t generate enough wealth to support itself, and cities continue to struggle. Read this book to find out how cities large and small can focus on bottom-up investments to minimize risk and maximize their ability to strengthen the community financially and improve citizens’ quality of life. Develop in-depth knowledge of the underlying logic behind the “traditional” search for never-ending urban growth Learn practical solutions for ameliorating financial struggles through low-risk investment and a grassroots focus Gain insights and tools that can stop the vicious cycle of budget shortfalls and unexpected downturns Become a part of the Strong Towns revolution by shifting the focus away from top-down growth toward rebuilding American prosperity Strong Towns acknowledges that there is a problem with the American approach to growth and shows community leaders a new way forward. The Strong Towns response is a revolution in how we assemble the places we live.


Book Synopsis Strong Towns by : Charles L. Marohn, Jr.

Download or read book Strong Towns written by Charles L. Marohn, Jr. and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2019-10-01 with total page 262 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A new way forward for sustainable quality of life in cities of all sizes Strong Towns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Build American Prosperity is a book of forward-thinking ideas that breaks with modern wisdom to present a new vision of urban development in the United States. Presenting the foundational ideas of the Strong Towns movement he co-founded, Charles Marohn explains why cities of all sizes continue to struggle to meet their basic needs, and reveals the new paradigm that can solve this longstanding problem. Inside, you’ll learn why inducing growth and development has been the conventional response to urban financial struggles—and why it just doesn’t work. New development and high-risk investing don’t generate enough wealth to support itself, and cities continue to struggle. Read this book to find out how cities large and small can focus on bottom-up investments to minimize risk and maximize their ability to strengthen the community financially and improve citizens’ quality of life. Develop in-depth knowledge of the underlying logic behind the “traditional” search for never-ending urban growth Learn practical solutions for ameliorating financial struggles through low-risk investment and a grassroots focus Gain insights and tools that can stop the vicious cycle of budget shortfalls and unexpected downturns Become a part of the Strong Towns revolution by shifting the focus away from top-down growth toward rebuilding American prosperity Strong Towns acknowledges that there is a problem with the American approach to growth and shows community leaders a new way forward. The Strong Towns response is a revolution in how we assemble the places we live.

Towns and Town-Making Principles

Towns and Town-Making Principles

Author: Andres Duany

Publisher: National Geographic Books

Published: 1991

Total Pages: 132

ISBN-13:

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Published with the Harvard Graduate School of Design.


Book Synopsis Towns and Town-Making Principles by : Andres Duany

Download or read book Towns and Town-Making Principles written by Andres Duany and published by National Geographic Books. This book was released on 1991 with total page 132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Published with the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Hometown Revelations

Hometown Revelations

Author: Mark Usler

Publisher: Dm Enterprises Incorporated

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 95

ISBN-13: 9780978698706

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In Hometown Revelations, you will find many mysteries revealed! Some hometowns appear to have normal names but others have very unique stories. Most of the major cities and numerous smaller ones are included in this book where you discover how the town acquired its name. In addition, find out how your state obtained its name. Not everyone's hometown may be included but the clues and mysteries revealed about other communities may lead you to your own revelation.Did you know? There are a lot of people that call their hometown New York City. But there are also people who live in Defiance, Bliss, Hell, and Paradise! Some of our hometowns sound like dangerous places to live like Savage, Hazard, Tombstone, and Burnt Corn. There are hometowns that appear to be in the wrong locations. Why is Kansas City in Missouri and Paris in Tennessee? Are there Buffalo in New York? A few of us from Georgia live in Between.The names given to cities, towns, and states come from a number of sources. The origins of these names have evolved like the United States. Some of the names come from homesick settlers who wanted to remember their birthplaces. Other names originated from famous heroes and places that were known around the world. During the early history of the United States, some towns were named after new found freedoms. In the 1800's, many towns used Greek and Roman places or heroes. Native Indians were a major source of names. The early French, Spanish, and British explorers were also a major influence. Still, many other creative ways were found by our ancestors to describe their new homes. Emotional feelings or significant events were often used to name their new hometowns. Some names originated from coincidence, errors, or by sheer accident. There were even places named by the flip of a coin. Whatever the reason, we are all Americans and live in the greatest hometowns in the world!


Book Synopsis Hometown Revelations by : Mark Usler

Download or read book Hometown Revelations written by Mark Usler and published by Dm Enterprises Incorporated. This book was released on 2006 with total page 95 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Hometown Revelations, you will find many mysteries revealed! Some hometowns appear to have normal names but others have very unique stories. Most of the major cities and numerous smaller ones are included in this book where you discover how the town acquired its name. In addition, find out how your state obtained its name. Not everyone's hometown may be included but the clues and mysteries revealed about other communities may lead you to your own revelation.Did you know? There are a lot of people that call their hometown New York City. But there are also people who live in Defiance, Bliss, Hell, and Paradise! Some of our hometowns sound like dangerous places to live like Savage, Hazard, Tombstone, and Burnt Corn. There are hometowns that appear to be in the wrong locations. Why is Kansas City in Missouri and Paris in Tennessee? Are there Buffalo in New York? A few of us from Georgia live in Between.The names given to cities, towns, and states come from a number of sources. The origins of these names have evolved like the United States. Some of the names come from homesick settlers who wanted to remember their birthplaces. Other names originated from famous heroes and places that were known around the world. During the early history of the United States, some towns were named after new found freedoms. In the 1800's, many towns used Greek and Roman places or heroes. Native Indians were a major source of names. The early French, Spanish, and British explorers were also a major influence. Still, many other creative ways were found by our ancestors to describe their new homes. Emotional feelings or significant events were often used to name their new hometowns. Some names originated from coincidence, errors, or by sheer accident. There were even places named by the flip of a coin. Whatever the reason, we are all Americans and live in the greatest hometowns in the world!

Triumph of the City

Triumph of the City

Author: Edward Glaeser

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2012-01-31

Total Pages: 369

ISBN-13: 0143120549

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Shortlisted for the Financial Times and McKinsey Best Book of the Year Award in 2011 “A masterpiece.” —Steven D. Levitt, coauthor of Freakonomics “Bursting with insights.” —The New York Times Book Review A pioneering urban economist presents a myth-shattering look at the majesty and greatness of cities America is an urban nation, yet cities get a bad rap: they're dirty, poor, unhealthy, environmentally unfriendly . . . or are they? In this revelatory book, Edward Glaeser, a leading urban economist, declares that cities are actually the healthiest, greenest, and richest (in both cultural and economic terms) places to live. He travels through history and around the globe to reveal the hidden workings of cities and how they bring out the best in humankind. Using intrepid reportage, keen analysis, and cogent argument, Glaeser makes an urgent, eloquent case for the city's importance and splendor, offering inspiring proof that the city is humanity's greatest creation and our best hope for the future.


Book Synopsis Triumph of the City by : Edward Glaeser

Download or read book Triumph of the City written by Edward Glaeser and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2012-01-31 with total page 369 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Shortlisted for the Financial Times and McKinsey Best Book of the Year Award in 2011 “A masterpiece.” —Steven D. Levitt, coauthor of Freakonomics “Bursting with insights.” —The New York Times Book Review A pioneering urban economist presents a myth-shattering look at the majesty and greatness of cities America is an urban nation, yet cities get a bad rap: they're dirty, poor, unhealthy, environmentally unfriendly . . . or are they? In this revelatory book, Edward Glaeser, a leading urban economist, declares that cities are actually the healthiest, greenest, and richest (in both cultural and economic terms) places to live. He travels through history and around the globe to reveal the hidden workings of cities and how they bring out the best in humankind. Using intrepid reportage, keen analysis, and cogent argument, Glaeser makes an urgent, eloquent case for the city's importance and splendor, offering inspiring proof that the city is humanity's greatest creation and our best hope for the future.