Evolution of the City — Urban Architecture at the Beginning of the 21st Century

Author: (English) Kenneth Powell, translated by Wang Jue
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-06-01
Features: The book The Evolution of the City primarily discusses a new urbanization trend in architectural design, which has clearly become an increasingly important role in architectural design in the 21st century. This book selects representative projects from the 19th century to the new millennium, which are prominent examples of the revival of urban concepts and the regeneration of urban construction. The entire book is divided into four parts, covering topics such as urban reconstruction, urban expansion, urban transportation, and human development. The book begins with introductory comments, pointing out the historical causes and signs of modern urban problems, stating the views of critics and reformers, and discussing the principles that world cities and urban architecture should follow in transformation and improvement. From small-scale examples like the restoration of the Royal Theatre in London to large-scale reorganization in Kuala Lumpur's government and transportation districts, the projects introduced in the book cover a wide range of regions and scales. From all aspects of urban life: transportation, culture, housing, economy and politics, and the world-renowned architects involved include Foster Partners (Norman Foster), Renzo Piano, Rem Koolhaas, Terry Farrell, Richard Meier, Tadao Ando, and Kisho Kurokawa.
About the Author: Kenneth Powell is an architectural critic and a journalist in London. Among the many books he has written, there are monographs on Norman Foster, Edward Cullinan, and Richard Rogers. Powell has also been very active in the field of architectural conservation, serving as the president of the Save Britain's Heritage (SAVE) from 1984 to 1987, and is currently a consultant for the Twentieth Century Society.
Jennifer Hudson has been collaborating since 1993 on research for architectural and interior design publications by Laurence King Publishing. She graduated from the Courtauld Institute of Art and works in design in New York.