2011 Volume 15.1
Editorial comment
Positioning Urban Morphology
Articles
From village to metropolis: a case of morphological transformation in Guangzhou, China
Y. Lin, B. De Meulder and S. Wang {+}Abstract [Full paper, PDF, 35MB]
ABSTRACT: A historical analysis is undertaken of the morphological transformation and present form of a ‘village in the city’ in Guangzhou. The traditional layout was produced mostly by the clan authorities and provided a basic framework for subsequent development. During the process of rapid urbanization formal and informal alliances between new key stakeholders were established, greatly influencing the spatial restructuring of the village. A critical evaluation of current planning practices highlights the conflicts of interest between different stakeholders. It is concluded that integration of the activities of various key stakeholders is probably necessary in order to achieve more sustainable redevelopment.
The lifespan of a typological form? Los Corrales de Málaga, Spain
M. Barke {+}Abstract [Full paper, PDF, 8MB]
ABSTRACT: This paper identifies a distinctive form of multi-household dwelling that has been historically characteristic of the working-class districts of the large cities of Andalucía – namely corrales de vecinos. Most accounts of this typological form attribute its origin to the period of Islamic occupation of southern Spain but, using evidence from the city of Málaga, it is argued here that corrales have a variety of origins. The geographical distribution of this housing form is analysed and the factors accounting for its gradual demise are discussed. The paper concludes with an examination of the city of Málaga’s recent attempt to conserve some of the few remaining structures of this type and the relationship of this policy to neighbourhood regeneration and the fulfilment of a particular type of housing need.
Understanding the links between inherited built forms and urban design: Athens and Alexandria as case studies
L. Khirfan {+}Abstract [Full paper, PDF, 11MB]
ABSTRACT: This comparative study of three historical layers of the urban form of Athens in Greece and Alexandria in Egypt focuses on the links between heritage and the design of the public realm (street networks, public open spaces, and civic structures). The approach combines Geographical Information Systems, elements of town-plan analysis, and historical archival research. The aim is to improve understanding of the impact of heritage on the design of the public realm and how this can inform future urban design. The analysis reveals that during major periods of their history, Athens and Alexandria shaped their public realms through combining elements of their urban heritage, street network design, and the innovative design of civic structures.
The study of urban form in Portugal
V. Oliveira, M. Barbosa and P. Pinho {+}Abstract [Full paper, PDF, 10MB]
ABSTRACT: The origins, development and main characteristics of the study of urban form in Portugal are reviewed. After considering contributions during the middle of the twentieth century, attention is focused on recent developments. Fundamental themes in urban morphology as a field of knowledge are identified and characterized. These include the history of urban form, the relationships between urban morphology and building typology, morphological techniques, and the links between description, explanation and prescription.
Review article: Contrasting perspectives on the Arab city
M. Cetin [Full paper, PDF, 0.1MB ]
Viewpoints
Understanding place in the Netherlands H. Bienstman
What happened to the backyard? The minimization of private open space in the Australian suburb T. Hall
‘Our common future’ in urban morphology V. Oliveira
[Viewpoints, PDF]
Reports
Seventeenth International Seminar on Urban Form, Hamburg, 2010 K. Stanilov
ISUF business meetings, Hamburg, 2010 S. M. Whitehand
ISUF Italia: a progress report G. Strappa
Tenth International Conference on Urban History, Ghent, 2010 K. Ley
[Reports, PDF]
Book reviews
M. Foran (2009) Expansive discourses: urban sprawl in Calgary 1945 – 1978 B. A. Sandalack
K. D. Lilley (2009) City and cosmos: the medieval world in urban form O. Creighton
M. Darin (2009) La comédie urbaine. Voir la ville autrement C. Maumi
T. Fenster and H. Yacobi (eds) (2010) Remembering, forgetting and city builders P. J. Larkham
[Book reviews, PDF]
Book notes
[Book notes, PDF]
Notes and notices
- Portuguese Network of Urban Morphology
- Forthcoming articles in Urban Morphology
- ISUF 2011: Urban morphology and the post-carbon city
- Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
- UK/Ireland Planning Research Conference 2011
- Meeting of the Council of ISUF
- Elections to the Council of ISUF
- ISUF 2012: New urban configurations
- Urban coding and planning