2004 Volume 8.2
Editorial comment
Linking disciplines: typological process and spatial process
Articles
The history of urban morphology
B. Gauthiez {+}Abstract [Full paper, PDF]
ABSTRACT: The use of town plans as a source for history and geography and as data for urban planning led, from the end of the nineteenth century, to major developments in the theoretical and analytical aspects of urban morphology. The contributions of the Italian 'school', first Muratori and then Caniggia, principally on architectural typology, are well known today, as are the contributions of the English 'school' initiated by Conzen. But knowledge of previous work is generally poor, especially of the German 'school', which played a major role between the 1890s and the 1950s. This article is a history of the ideas of urban morphology, based upon an examination of the German, English, French and Italian contributions. Its aim is to identify the most relevant scholars in this field and the way in which ideas passed from one discipline to another and across state frontiers. After examining the present-day situation, a new approach is proposed that achieves a better integration of morphological analysis and the use of written sources.
The restructuring of Bulgarian towns at the end of the nineteenth century
K. Stanilov and V. Donchev {+}Abstract [Full paper, PDF]
ABSTRACT: The paper explores the morphological transformations of Bulgarian towns at the end of the nineteenth century. These transformations occurred as a result of massive restructuring of existing towns through the implementation of new modernist principles of town planning popularized during that period. Informal rules that governed development patterns for centuries based on continuing cultural and building traditions were abruptly replaced by rational ideas about a new spatial order imposed by a centralized authority. Features specific to the Balkan region and those occurring more widely are noted. Variations between the plans are investigated in terms of their response to the realities and unique characteristics of existing Bulgarian towns subjected to large-scale redevelopment. A range of planning approaches employed at the time is outlined. While some plans ruthlessly imposed a new spatial order, others attempted to integrate the existing fabric into the new spatial framework advanced by the plans. The paper explores further the rationale shaping these various responses. A comparison is made between the plans as a manifestation of idealistic design principles and the extent of their implementation within a turbulent period of dramatic economic and political transformation.
Review article: Can there be a joint venture between urban history and urban morphology?
S. Malfroy [Full paper, PDF]
Obituary
Joan Vilagrasa
Reports
ISUF at the Thirtieth International Geographical Congress, Glasgow G. Jivén
IGC Symposium in Urban Morphology, Newcastle upon Tyne L. Evenden
ISUF Council Meetings, 2004 P.J. Larkham
Book reviews
H. Tangires (2003) Public markets and civic culture in nineteenth-century America M. Sernoff
R. Rodger (2001) The transformation of Edinburgh G. Gordon
J.R. Soraluce Blond (2001) Arquitectura de la casa Cubana J.L. Scarpaci, Jr
M. Roncayolo (2002) Lectures de villes A. Levy
H. Mortada (2003) Traditional Islamic principles of built environment E. Wirth
V. Prakash (2002) Chandigarh’s Le Corbusier Z. Çelik
J.M. Lupala (2002) Urban types in rapidly urbanising cities G. Anyumba
M. Southworth and E. Ben-Joseph (2003) Streets and the shaping of towns and cities A.V. Moudon
T. Ito (2003) Toshi-no-kuukanshi K. Ugawa
D. Parrish (ed.) (2001) Urbanism in Western Asia Minor E. Fentress
J. Piekalski (2001) Von Köln nach Krakau A. Simms
L.R. Ford (2003) America’s new downtowns J. Lafrenz
J.W. Cody (2003) Exporting American architecture; J.L. Nasr and M.Volait (eds) (2003) Urbanism – imported or exported? L.R. Ford
Book notes
Notes and notices
- New ISUF appointments
- Prairie Urbanism
- Ville Recherche Diffusion
- ISUF Constitution, amended August 2004
- RUDI book offers