ABSTRACT
The debate about the apparent transition from modernity to post-modernity in society is extensive and has generated an enormous volume of literature from architecture and urban studies to film, literary criticism and fashion. This section aims to summarise the main characteristics of the debate that apply to the city. This section should be used only as a crude, short-hand guide to the debate. The actual nature and extent to which modern forms of urbanisation have been supplanted by post-modern forms will vary enormously between cities. The outcome of the interrelationships between these two processes will be unique in every case. Not all cities, for example, could be said to be modern or industrial. Many, such as York and Durham in the UK, have retained much of their pre-industrial structure. Likewise, in the face of post-modern forms of urbanisation, many cities are likely to retain much of their modern or industrial structure. In reality many cities will demonstrate some combination of modern urban characteristics mixed in with newer post-modern urban forms. For example, recently redeveloped docklands areas might be surrounded by large areas of inner-city little affected by post-modern processes. In most cases the overall structure of the city still reflects modern urbanisation processes
The old idea of the city focused only on the
picture postcard landmarks and the central
crust of buildings and spaces. But it is clear
that the present-day city has long-since
outstripped those limits. The new
incarnation of the city is an endless
amorphous sprawl, with which outcrops of
skyscrapers or vast shopping malls can
appear almost anywhere.
