Anxious City: British Urbanism in the Late 20th Century
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Author Description
In The Western World, Cities Have Arguably Never Been More Anxious: Practical Anxieties About Personal Safety And Metaphysical Anxieties About The Uncertain Place Of The City In Culture Are The Small Change Of Journalism And Political Debate. Cities Have Long Been Regarded As Problems, In Need Of Drastic Solutions. In This Context, The Contemporary Revival Of City Centres Is Remarkable. But In A Culture That Largely Fears The Urban, How Can The Contemporary City Be Imagined? How Is It Supposed To Be Used Or Inhabited? What Does It Mean? Taking England Since Wwii As Its Principal Focus, This Provocative And Original Book Considers The Western City At A Critical Moment In Its History.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the paradox of the modern British city, questioning how urban centers are imagined and inhabited within a culture that simultaneously fears and seeks to revitalize them. Williams, an expert in contemporary visual culture and architecture, examines the intersection of post-war planning, political discourse, and social anxiety. He argues that the contemporary city is defined by a tension between practical concerns regarding safety and deeper metaphysical uncertainties about the role of urban spaces in modern life.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of British urban development from the post-WWII era to the late 20th century.
- Examination of the cultural shift from viewing cities as problems to be solved to sites of economic and social revival.
- Evaluation of how media, political rhetoric, and architectural planning shape public perception of urban safety.
- Theoretical framework for understanding the 'anxious' nature of the Western city in a globalized context.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts in urban planning and cultural history identify this work as a significant contribution to the study of post-war British identity and spatial politics. Readers frequently note the academic rigor of the prose, which effectively bridges the gap between architectural theory and social commentary.
Page Count:
296
Publication Date:
2004-01-01
Publisher:
Taylor & Francis Group
ISBN-10:
0203490975
ISBN-13:
9780203490976
History
Architecture
Urban Studies
Cities And Towns
British History
Sociology
Urban policy
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