ABSTRACT

Cities have historically supported production, commerce, and consumption, all central to urban life. But in the contemporary Western city, production has been hidden or removed, and commerce and consumption have dominated. This book is about the importance of production in the life of the city, and the relationships between production, architecture, and urban form. It answers the question: What will cities be like when they become, once again, places of production and not only of consumption? 

Through theoretical arguments, historical analysis, and descriptions of new initiatives, Working Cities: Architecture, Place and Production argues that contemporary cities can regain their historic role as places of material production—places where food is processed and things are made. The book looks toward a future that builds on this revival, providing architectural and urban examples and current strategies within the framework of a strong set of historically-based arguments.

The book is illustrated in full colour with archival and contemporary photographs, maps, and diagrams especially developed for the book. The diagrams help illustrate the different variables of architectural space, urban location, and production in different historical eras and in different kinds of industries, providing a compelling visual understanding for the reader. 

chapter |12 pages

Introduction

Beyond the city as object

part 1|2 pages

The evolution of production space

chapter 1|18 pages

Typologies of capital, control, and space

chapter 2|22 pages

Pre-industrial workshops

chapter 3|27 pages

Factory zones

chapter 4|20 pages

Cities adrift

chapter 5|21 pages

New work in old cities

part 2|2 pages

The vitality of city life

chapter 6|17 pages

Production and urban complexity

chapter 7|20 pages

The terroir of things

chapter 8|19 pages

Including the maker

chapter 9|22 pages

“One great workshop”

A new industrial urbanism

part 3|2 pages

Making space for production

chapter 10|37 pages

Design and policy for the new working city

chapter |7 pages

Conclusion

The city in 2050 and beyond