ABSTRACT

With a practical approach to theory, Designing the City of Reason offers new perspectives on how differing belief systems and philosophical approaches impact on city design and development, exploring how this has changed before, during and after the impact of modernism in all its rationalism.

Looking at the connections between abstract ideas and material realities, this book provides a social and historical account of ideas which have emerged out of the particular concerns and cultural contexts and which inform the ways we live. By considering the changing foundations for belief and action, and their impact on urban form, it follows the history and development of city design in close conjunction with the growth of rationalist philosophy. Building on these foundations, it goes on to focus on the implications of this for urban development, exploring how public infrastructures of meaning are constructed and articulated through the dimensions of time, space, meaning, value and action.

With its wide-ranging subject matter and distinctive blend of theory and practice, this book furthers the scope and range of urban design by asking new questions about the cities we live in and the values and symbols which we assign to them.

chapter 1|6 pages

Introduction

part |2 pages

PART I Foundations

part |2 pages

PART II Frameworks

chapter 7|32 pages

Keeping time

chapter 8|27 pages

Measuring space

chapter 9|20 pages

Assigning value

chapter 10|25 pages

Providing accounts

chapter 11|27 pages

Connecting actions

chapter 12|20 pages

City of reason