2004 Volume 8.1
Editorial comment
Taking a broader view
Articles
The study of urban form in Germany
B. Hofmeister {+}Abstract [Full paper, PDF]
ABSTRACT: Urban geography in Germany is unique inasmuch as there was a period of three decades at the beginning of the twentieth century during which geographers focussed their research on urban morphology. In analysing the layout and the building fabric of towns their most important tool was the town plan. This period was followed by periods during which urban functions and urban structures were the major concerns of urban geographers. However, in the second half of the twentieth century there were again innovative contributions to the study of urban form, stimulated by the activities of architects and urban historians, the research of British geographers, such as A.E. Smailes and Berlin-born M.R.G. Conzen, the urban conservation movement, and activities of the study group Die alte Stadt.
Workers'-cottage and minimal-bungalow districts in Oakland and Berkeley, California, 1870-1945
P. Groth {+}Abstract [Full paper, PDF]
ABSTRACT: Case studies in West Oakland and West Berkeley, California - blue-collar districts built between 1870 and 1945 in the San Francisco Bay Area - exemplify two contrasting sets of urban forms. Within each set, house types and block plans share similar spatial rules. Workers' cottages and workers'-cottage districts, typically begun up to 1900, rely on mixed uses and very little spatial specialization, with ad hoc additions to the dwellings, varied street setbacks and lot lines, mixed land uses, and very little uniformity. In contrast, the dwellings and blocks of minimal-bungalow districts, typically built between 1900 and 1945, are constructed all at once and in a permanent form, with interior spaces that are specialized, hierarchical, socially zoned, and separated by hallways; the blocks have uniform setbacks and lots, and restrictive covenants. The differences between these two forms illustrate closely-intertwined oppositions of twentieth-century modernity that North Americans are still debating: the desirability of urban form based on individual decision-making rather than official control of experts; the benefits of mixture and overlapping uses rather than uniformity and hierarchical separation; and the tensions between obviously temporary urban surroundings on the one hand and visually finished, permanent forms and more predictable real estate values on the other.
Viewpoints
M.R.G. Conzen, Gianfranco Caniggia, Oscar Wilde and Aesop K. Kropf
Urban-scale architecture today M. Gallarati
What's left out? R. Williamson
Reply to Williamson K.-J. Kim and P.J. Larkham
Book reviews
C. Guerrieri and G. Strappa (2003) Gianfranco Caniggia M.G. Corsini
K. Brandt, M. Müller-Wille and C. Radke (2002) Haithabu und die frühe Stadtentwicklung in nördlichen Europa T. Riis
J.M. Malville and L.M. Gujral (2000) Ancient cities, sacred skies J. Stargardt
P. Panerai and J. Langé (2001) Formes urbaines, tissus urbaines J.-M. Roux
K. Frank (2002) Historic preservation in the USA A.R. Alanen
M. Kulesza (2001) Morfogeneza miast na obszarze Polski środkowej w okresie przedrozbiorowym B. Miszewska
M.T. Tomlan and M.A. Tomlan (2003) Richmond, Indiana J.A. Jakle
D.M. Habel (2002) The urban development of Rome in the age of Alexander VII K. Kropf
V. Dudeck and J. Tomlow (2000) Der Zittauer Ring F. Opll
J.A.B. Hegewald (2002) Water architecture in South Asia F.F. Ruggles
L. Vidal (2002) De Nova Lisboa ŕ Brasília L.O. da Silva
C. Wilson and P. Groth (2003) Everyday America R. Muir
A.B. Jacobs, E. Macdonald and Y. Rofé (2002) The boulevard book M. Darin
P. Lassus (2002) Harmonie et rčgle urbaine J. Castex
D. Wiktorin et al. (2001) Köln: Der historisch-topographische Atlas G. Curdes
V. Sachdev and G. Tillotson (2002) Building Jaipur R.C. Tiwari
A. Volwahsen (2002) Imperial Delhi R.P.B. Singh
M. Pirveli (2002) Miasto gruzińskie w świetle europejskiej i orientalnej koncepcji urbanistycznej B. Jałowiecki
T. Scrase (2002) Medieval town planning D. Nicholas
Book notes
Notes and notices
- International Geographical Congress 2004
- Symposium in Urban Morphology 2004
- ISUF Business Meetings 2004
- Book notes
- Change of Assistant Editor
- New Urbanism
- New publications