Urban Landscapes: International Perspectives

The urban landscape is a valuable cultural asset. It is a major source of aesthetic stimulus and historical knowledge as well as a principal means of emotional and practical orientation. A great deal of public and private expenditure is concerned directly or indirectly with the creation and maintenance of urban landscapes, and research in the area from historical, geographical, architectural and planning perspectives is flourishing. The need has arisen to integrate this knowledge in order to understand the cyclical processes of adaptation and renewal, the different disciplinary and national approaches possible, and the challenges of managing cities as a cultural asset while accomodating new forms and functions. Urban Landscapesfulfills this need. Taking a multidisciplinary and multinational approach, reflected in its authorship and the urban landscapes discussed, this volume addresses the principal academic and practical issues concerning the past, present and future of thebuilt environment. It describes the historical development of urban landscapes and the roles of those who shape our cities, offering an essential understanding of our present-day environment and arguing for its enlightened management in the future.