The Evolution of American Urban Design: A Chronological Anthology

Urban design affects the vast majority of the world′s population. The quality of our living and working environment is dictated by it, and yet it is often either bound up in political red tape or dominated by notions of individual freedom that preclude the development of a successful overall system. It is a complex discipline that deals not only with the visual aspects of the environment, but also with the non–tangible aspects such as noise, water provision, air pollution and traffic safety.

This authoritative volume is the culmination of a lifetime′s research and practice. It offers a comprehensive survey of American urban design, beginning with an account of its origins from the 17th to the early 20th centuries and continuing with a decade–by–decade analysis of developments from the 1950s to the present. The author′s far–reaching examination extends beyond architectural and planning issues to a wider picture of the times, and he sets the development of urban planning theory and practice in the context of the cultural shifts that shaped them.

Gosling gives accounts of major projects – both completed and unexecuted – throughout the US, as well as others originating in the US but proposed or carried out elsewhere. In so doing, he analyses the impact of American urban design on the rest of the world.

From shopping malls to utopian settlements, and from the modification of existing cities to the creation of entire new towns, every type of urban design project is covered. The influence of leading figures is examined, including Gyorgy Kepes, Frank Lloyd Wright, Kevin Lynch, Philip Thiel, Christopher Alexander, Peter Calthorpe, Robert Venturi, Bernard Tschumi, Rem Koolhaas, Peter Eisenman, Joel Garreau, John Lang, and many others who have made significant contributions to theory and practice.

As recognition of urban design as a distinct and important discipline increases, this is a key text for students and professionals in the field.

Definitions of Urban Design

1950 –
1960

1960 –
1970

1970 –
1980

1980 –
1990

1990 –
2000

Urban Futures

Conclusions

DAVID GOSLING studied architecture, urban design and city planning at Manchester University (BA Arch), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M Arch), Yale University (MCP) and Sheffield University (PhD). He was Dean of Architectural Studies at the University of Sheffield and Chief Architect of Irvine New Town, Scotland, and later the State of Ohio First Eminent Scholar in Urban Design at the University of Cincinnati, USA. He acted as an assessor, visiting professor, adviser and external examiner at educational establishments throughout the world. David Gosling Associates (UK) undertook consultancies in the West Indies, the Middle East, Brazil, Sicily, Zambia and Sri Lanka as well as the USA and Great Britain. Gosling contributed to a number of leading architectural magazines and publications, and was the author of Gordon Cullen: Visions of Urban Design (Wiley–Academy, 1996) and co–author with Barry Maitland of Concepts of Urban Design (Academy Editions, 1985). Gosling sadly passed away prior to publication of this, his last book. The Evolution of American Urban Design is a major accomplishment which bears witness to his enormous knowledge and represents his enduring legacy to the study of urban design.

a valuable book that does justice to an ambitious task (Town Planning Review, December 2003)