Defending Modernism and Ignoring Preservation

A new book called The Lure of the City argues that planners today have "a lack of ambition" and argues against the "[Jane] Jacobs-influenced orthodoxy."

1 minute read

November 24, 2011, 1:00 PM PST

By Tim Halbur

Edwin Heathcote of the Financial Times reviews the book, written by Austin Williams and Alastair Donald:

"Most essays take a line contrary to the prevailing, Jacobs-influenced orthodoxy, arguing for cars, roads, big plans and a tough line with history."

The two are pro-city, saying that cities are good for education and for a better way of life than subsistence farming. But they have no truck with history, arguing in favor of clearing away anything in the way of progress. Heathcote doesn't agree completely:

"For all the temptation to start afresh, the most popular cities remain those that manage to maintain a blend of grains and textures, historic and modern, in which the existing limits the possible and forces imagination and reuse."

FULL STORY: The Lure of the City

Friday, November 18, 2011 in The Financial Times

Urban Development United Kingdom

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.