2005 Volume 9.2
Editorial comment
Understanding and shaping urban landscape character
Articles
Conceptualizing the social construction of urban and architectural forms through the typological process
P. Gauthier {+}Abstract [Full paper, PDF]
ABSTRACT: Process typology theory has proven extremely beneficial in providing refined depictions of the complex structure of the built environment and in proposing challenging intrinsic morphological explanations of processes of 'structuration' as opposed to the external explanations emphasized by other theoretical perspectives. Thus far, typologists have concentrated essentially on environments that are many centuries old. Yet, tumultuous historical and morphological conditions that have arisen more recently challenge the idea of focusing exclusively on internal factors for morphogenetic explanations. This paper discusses the central notions of type and typological process in relation to the action of agents in such a process in order to integrate the role of social 'demands' in urban morphology.
Assessing urban character: the use of fractal analysis of street edges
J. Cooper {+}Abstract [Full paper, PDF]
ABSTRACT: Fractal analysis can provide a synthetic measurement of place complexity and thereby allow a numerical characterization of places. A fractal analysis of street edges is provided, linking the calculation of fractal dimension to the presence of the physical features making up a street edge. A technique for calculating street edge fractal dimensions is presented and speculation on the use of fractal analysis in comparing the character of differing places is made.
Post-war new town 'models': a European comparison
T. Hall {+}Abstract [Full paper, PDF]
ABSTRACT: Stevenage, Tapiola (Hagalund) and Vällingby were the first exponents of the new town concept in Britain, Finland and Sweden respectively, attracting attention not only within their home countries but also widely in Europe. In all three places, general plans were finalized around 1950, testing the latest ideas B such as neighbourhood units, the Radburn concept and community centres. The towns were to be organized in cohesive neighbour-hood areas, each with its own identity and its own community centre. The three towns differ in their morphological character. In Tapiola the scale is modest but the variation all the greater. In Stevenage the single-family house predominates, while in Tapiola there is a mixture of house types. Vällingby is dominated by blocks of flats, though there are also row houses and detached houses. In all three towns resources and interest were invested in achieving a modern main centre, which included cultural and social activities as well as commercial ones. Each town epitomized a new, brighter future, perhaps reflecting an optimism that was stronger in Scandinavia and Britain than elsewhere. The firm faith that characterized the drive to build the three new towns may seem slightly naive from today=s point of view. Yet it is clear that we can learn a lot from the enthusiasm and fighting spirit of the 1950s, the social commitment, and the desire to create good housing, preferably with ample outdoor environments, affordable to broad groups of citizens.
Review article: Conzen's last bolt: reflections on Thinking about urban form
I. Samuels [Full paper, PDF]
Viewpoints
The study of territory and the role of history in applied research in urban morphology G. Cataldi
The question of 'proper' and 'improper' types G. Strappa
Which traditions do we keep and who decides? M. Hardy
English Heritage, characterization and the urban historic environment R.M. Thomas
Reports
Fifth International Space Syntax Symposium L. Vaughan
Conference on W.G. Hoskins and The making of the English landscape J. Stobart
Inaugural Nordic Geographers' meeting, Lund E. Camacho-Hübner
ISUF business meetings, London 2005 P.J. Larkham
ISUF Symposium, London, 2005 A. Sinding-Larsen
Book notes
Notes and notices
- International conference on sustainable development research
- The waters of Rome
- Planning Perspectives
- International urban form study
- Urban Land