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The Social Fabric of Cities

Author: Vinicius M Netto

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2016-09-19

Total Pages: 234

ISBN-13: 1317015738

Bringing together ideas from the fields of sociology, economics, human geography, ethics, political and communications theory, this book deals with some key subjects in urban design: the multidimensional effects of the spatial form of cities, ways of appropriating urban space, and the different material factors involved in the emergence of social life. It puts forward an innovative conceptual framework to reconsider some fundamental features of city-making as a social process: the place of cities in encounters and communications, in the randomness of events and in the repetition of activities that characterise societies. In doing so, it provides fresh analytical tools and theoretical insights to help advance our understanding of the networks of causalities, contingencies and contexts involved in practices of city-making. In a systematic attempt to bring urban analysis and research from the social sciences together, the book is organised around three vital yet relatively neglected dimensions in the social and material shaping of cities: (i) Cities as systems of encounter: an approach to urban segregation as segregated networks; (ii) Cities as systems of communication: a view of shared spaces as a means to association and social experience; (iii) Cities as systems of material interaction: explorations on urban form as an effect of interactivity, and interactivity as an effect of form. Visit the author’s website at: http://socialfabric.city/

The Fabric of Place

Author: Bob Allies

Publisher: Artifice Incorporated

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 207

ISBN-13: 9781908967381

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Cities are the product of a myriad of forces. Their forms and structures evolve over centuries and articulate the relationships between us, their citizens--how we live, work and connect. Although constantly changing, they are also remarkably fragile, particularly in these times of rapid expansion and consequent pressures for increased density. Cities need careful cultivation by all involved in making proposals for their growth, if new projects are to support the continuity of existing city fabric, reinforce the particular identity of place and provide new workable living environments. Through their urban design work in many cities, Allies and Morrison have participated in ongoing discussions around many current issues. This book combines insights about how cities work with observations on how development plans can help, or hinder, their further evolution. Written by people in the practice, it draws together the rich ideas, theories, precedents and explorations that have informed their work and illustrates them with case studies of individual projects. The Fabric of Place: Allies and Morrison reflects on work-in-progress, as continuing conversations between theory and realisation.

The Fabric of Space

Author: Matthew Gandy

Publisher: MIT Press

Published: 2014-10-31

Total Pages: 363

ISBN-13: 0262028255

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A study of water at the intersection of landscape and infrastructure in Paris, Berlin, Lagos, Mumbai, Los Angeles, and London. Water lies at the intersection of landscape and infrastructure, crossing between visible and invisible domains of urban space, in the tanks and buckets of the global South and the vast subterranean technological networks of the global North. In this book, Matthew Gandy considers the cultural and material significance of water through the experiences of six cities: Paris, Berlin, Lagos, Mumbai, Los Angeles, and London. Tracing the evolving relationships among modernity, nature, and the urban imagination, from different vantage points and through different periods, Gandy uses water as a lens through which to observe both the ambiguities and the limits of nature as conventionally understood. Gandy begins with the Parisian sewers of the nineteenth century, captured in the photographs of Nadar, and the reconstruction of subterranean Paris. He moves on to Weimar-era Berlin and its protection of public access to lakes for swimming, the culmination of efforts to reconnect the city with nature. He considers the threat of malaria in Lagos, where changing geopolitical circumstances led to large-scale swamp drainage in the 1940s. He shows how the dysfunctional water infrastructure of Mumbai offers a vivid expression of persistent social inequality in a postcolonial city. He explores the incongruous concrete landscapes of the Los Angeles River. Finally, Gandy uses the fictional scenario of a partially submerged London as the starting point for an investigation of the actual hydrological threats facing that city.

Space & Anti-space

Author: Steven Peterson

Publisher:

Published: 2020

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781941806777

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"This book challenges the conventional idea of what should constitute the physical form of the contemporary city. Observing the absence of connective urban fabrics in the new global cities being made today, it argues that they are merely dense accumulations of buildings that lack the positive formal attributes that are required to establish an extended public realm. Cities cannot be made by individual buildings alone but rather depend on the intertwined combination of architectural and urban forms bound together in networks of public space. ... Cities, because of their compact efficiency, will be an important part of the solution to climate change and resource depletion, especially as they house an increasing percentage of the world's population. In this series of essays and urban projects, 'Space & anti-space' makes the case for an urban fabric of shaped public space being the indispensable core of the future city."--Front flap of paper wrapper.

The Social Fabric of the Networked City

Author: Géraldine Pflieger

Publisher: EPFL Press

Published: 2008-01-01

Total Pages: 252

ISBN-13: 9780415461443

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Constructed around the work of Manuel Castells on the space of places, the space of flows and the networked city, nine contributors focus on the transformation of the fabric of the networked city in terms of policies and social practices.

The Urban Ecologies of Divided Cities

Author: Amira Osman

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2023-06-12

Total Pages: 216

ISBN-13: 3031273087

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The book discusses how division affect the fabric of cities, and people’s sense of identity and agency, and are reflected in physical features, architecture, and urban planning. The question of divided cities represents a complex and multistranded urban Ecology—at once both social and spatial; it cannot be limited to a single science or discipline, such as social or spatial fields. This suggests integrated and cross- disciplinary understandings, as well as integrated or parallel approaches and solutions. Urban ecologies of division manifest in multiple forms. One of their most palpable expressions is conflict, with parallels around the world, and often with correlations in the spatial fabric. Violence in such contexts is often a surface expression of deeper socio-economic or ideological differences. Whether as a result of intervention by authority or by dissent between groups, a divided city inevitably becomes a place of conflict in various forms and intensity, eroding the joy of living and sense of collective belonging to the detriment of all. In effect, it erodes the collective advantage of being part of a more unified society. A city exists in collections of social structures which mutually form a society. A divided city implies divided social structures and, in consequence, a divided society. The papers compiled in this book present many case studies of divided cities, discussing the different causes of divisions and their effects on societies. Some of the causes can be linked to conflicts, wars, colonialism, or legislative political systems. In response to the serious challenges resulting from these divisions, the book aims to provide opportunities for new approaches and possibilities for new interventions and solutions, making it significant to urban planners, architects, and policymakers.

The Past and Future City

Author: Stephanie Meeks

Publisher: Island Press

Published: 2016-10-04

Total Pages: 353

ISBN-13: 161091709X

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At its most basic, historic preservation is about keeping old places alive, in active use, and relevant to the needs of communities today. As cities across America experience a remarkable renaissance, and more and more young, diverse families choose to live, work, and play in historic neighborhoods, the promise and potential of using our older and historic buildings to revitalize our cities is stronger than ever. This urban resurgence is a national phenomenon, boosting cities from Cleveland to Buffalo and Portland to Pittsburgh. Experts offer a range of theories on what is driving the return to the city—from the impact of the recent housing crisis to a desire to be socially engaged, live near work, and reduce automobile use. But there’s also more to it. Time and again, when asked why they moved to the city, people talk about the desire to live somewhere distinctive, to be some place rather than no place. Often these distinguishing urban landmarks are exciting neighborhoods—Miami boasts its Art Deco district, New Orleans the French Quarter. Sometimes, as in the case of Baltimore’s historic rowhouses, the most distinguishing feature is the urban fabric itself. While many aspects of this urban resurgence are a cause for celebration, the changes have also brought to the forefront issues of access, affordable housing, inequality, sustainability, and how we should commemorate difficult history. This book speaks directly to all of these issues. In The Past and Future City, Stephanie Meeks, the president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, describes in detail, and with unique empirical research, the many ways that saving and restoring historic fabric can help a city create thriving neighborhoods, good jobs, and a vibrant economy. She explains the critical importance of preservation for all our communities, the ways the historic preservation field has evolved to embrace the challenges of the twenty-first century, and the innovative work being done in the preservation space now. This book is for anyone who cares about cities, places, and saving America’s diverse stories, in a way that will bring us together and help us better understand our past, present, and future.

Reinterpreting Urban Fabric in Cities with Living Heritage: The Case of Central Kolkata

Author: Kshama Puntambekar

Publisher:

Published: 2020-02-14

Total Pages: 252

ISBN-13: 9789383419883

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The book explores the issues of livability and intervention strategies in the old urban cores of Kolkata. This work attempts to address these issues in a broad sense by making it applicable to cities of a similar genre, by working on certain generic methodologies of intervention possibilities.The case of Central Kolkata is intended as a base for the application of this study. This area has an interesting mix of problems and facilities, juxtaposed from archaic time; besides having a strong perpetual image and issues directly linked to heritage, health, quality of life, economy, governance, environment and transportation. Central Kolkata has quintessentialneighbourhoods where a range of activities are present, including railway stations, educational hub, office hub, medical facilities, gold business, wholesale daily markets and even prostitution; and a hoard of other activities. Multiplicity of statutory authorities involved makes it even more complex to deal with. Since there have been minimal temporal changes in Central Kolkata (in comparison to the rest of the city) and it has survived ages, the strengths of these organically planned settlements might serve as a prototype for future settlements.Thus, this book looks to answer these questions: - Why do core cities get degenerative?- Isn't there an ardent need for setting the functional and spatial development parameters of old cities based on their historic development?- Can the historic evolution of cities help in determining future development models?The book has captured the soul of Central Kolkata in its true spirit. The fact there is an order behind the chaos and chatter in the hidden alleys of Central Kolkata has been wonderfully captured by the authors. This is not a book for just academics;instead, it's a book that all Calcuttans should proudly read. -- Prof. Debashish SanyalKolkata is not just any other city and is unique in the way it has grown. There are many spaces in this special city that continue to be memories of an era gone by with experiences and emotions almost as though frozen in time. Even so, buildings that have been built in the last couple of decades and continue to be built, do often take away from the character of the city that was, thereby transforming the social and cultural fabric and the vocabulary as well. Architectural practice in Central Kolkata is especially critical due to the overarching development control regulations, Or in fact maybe a lack of appropriate regulations. This book offers an alternative urban scheme that might be theoretical at present but does open doors to a different way of looking at these issues. -- Ar. Gita Sharma Balakrishnan