Description
Book SynopsisPart story, part atlas - this is a study of a city’s complexity. The most successful cities, the most interesting and sought-after ones, are those with an intrinsic and distinctive character that remain dynamic and relevant. They are complex and contradictory. And that is worth embracing. This is a visual, geographic and narrative journey that explains why London is the way it is today. Using stunning maps and artful imagery, it makes a compelling case for a finer grain understanding of density through a character-based approach to planning. Each character area is broken down, exploring the characteristics and character-based development potential. For those planning and designing projects, this is a reference book for the early stages of a design project and can help to inform site analyses which form the part of most architectural commissions and urban design studies. For lovers of maps and London, it is a must-read.
Table of ContentsIntroduction
Part 1: Layers of London
1. What is Character and why is it Important?
2. Natural Landscapes
3. The Square Mile
4. Ancient Routes
5. Georgian Planning
6. Victorian Enterprise
7. 20th Century Modernity
8. London's Centres
9. Artificial Landscapes
Part 2: A Way of Seeing
10. What Does it Mean for London?
11. From the Generic City to the Complex City
