"He has given us an intimate, affectionate portrait of a city with a stimulating sub–text on the major debates in town planning today, and for that he is indeed to be congratulated.", , , Environments by Design#

Product Description

Combining historical, social science, and urban planning principles, this new title in the World Cities Series explores the 20th century struggles over the modernization of London. It reviews the solutions proposed, charts their successes and failures, and hints at what lessons learned can be applied elsewhere.

See all Product Description

Tag this product

(What's this?)

Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.

Customer Reviews

1 Review

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

5.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The essence of modern London, behind mere appearances, 7 Feb 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: London: More by Fortune Than Design (World Cities) (Paperback)

This book stands out amongst the great mass of titles on London for its learning and intelligence. A great deal of sophisticated research into human geography, history and ecnomics is presented and summarized in a consistently readable style, smartly presented and well illustrated throughout.

The scope of the series to which it belongs does not extend to complete urban histories, so it is perhaps not the best place to start for the reader who knows nothing on the subject. Anyone living in London or concerned with its history, however, will find their understanding of the city hugely enriched.

Particular highlights are the account of the power-plays in local government since the war, and in particular since the abolition of the GLC, and the discriminating and sensitive summary of the history of the various immigrant communities. The old paradox that London has flourished as much from the absence of planning as from the great schemes of urban improvers is brought up to date, giving this reader at least pause for thought on the utility of the forthcoming Greater London Authority. Text and bibliography are laid out in a way that permits particular points to be followed up with ease.

A celebratory and optimistic tone marks the book's final chapter, but this is no mere hype: by that point, the author has laid bare the workings of London's genius for endless self-renewal.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all customer reviews...

.jsOffDisplayBlock { display: block; } .jsOffDisplayInline { display: inline; } .jsOffVisibility { visibility: visible; } .jsOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jsOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jsOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; } .jsOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jsOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jqOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jqOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jqOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; }

Customer Discussions

This product's forum

Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight

Active discussions in related forums

Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
politics This is Politics?????	36	13 hours ago
politics Would it be so bad if we let Europe run the UK	6	13 hours ago
politics what happened to the BNP discussion	124	1 day ago
politics Special relationship America and Britain	3	1 day ago
politics Which is better a charismatic leader or the right policies?	9	1 day ago
politics Cast Iron promise - Cameron	4	1 day ago
politics English Democrats Party - Our last chance saloon?	55	1 day ago