ABSTRACT
As where we come from is part of who we are, Chapter 7 focuses on place-identity. Whereas no two pre-twentieth-century towns looked the same, it can be hard to tell even on which continent many modern developments are. Being shaped by implicit assumptions, architectural style and urban design unavoidably express philosophical meanings, not all of which remain relevant. Traditionally, climate, local materials and skill-traditions, regional ecologies, economies and social culture created locality-specific identity. But today, this is commonly replaced by stylism: nostalgic, futuristic, dramatically decorative or hypermodern. However, synthesizing practicality, functional efficiency, soul-nourishment and technological innovation is a surer route to authentic character and holistic sustainability, both architecturally and bio-regionally. This requires learning from, but not copying the past, particularly its ecological and cultural relevance. Translated to suit modern circumstances, its time-honoured principles can still meet today’s deeper (soul) needs; automatically producing integrity-based distinctive place-identity.
