Public Places - Urban Spaces [Paperback]

Matthew Carmona (Author), Tim Heath (Author), Taner Oc (Author), Steve Tiesdell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0750636327 | ISBN-13: 978-0750636322 | Publication Date: March 14, 2003 | Edition: 1

Public Places - Urban Spaces is a holistic guide to the many complex and interacting dimensions of urban design.

The discussion moves systematically through ideas, theories, research and the practice of urban design from an unrivalled range of sources. It aids the reader by gradually building the concepts one upon the other towards a total view of the subject.

The author team explain the catalysts of change and renewal, and explore the global and local contexts and processes within which urban design operates. The book presents six key dimensions of urban design theory and practice - the social, visual, functional, temporal, morphological and perceptual - allowing it to be dipped into for specific information, or read from cover to cover. This is a clear and accessible text that provides a comprehensive discussion of this complex subject.

* Learn all you need to know about design of urban spaces from this one-stop introductory guide
*Gain a comprehensive overview of the topic through the authors' holistic approach
*Complex ideas are presented logically for ease of understanding

Editorial Reviews

Review

The book looks at different theories of urban design, the context within which design takes place and dimensions of urban design.
- April 2003, Inside Housing

A self-described 'exposition of the different, but intimately related, dimensions of urban design', this book takes a holistic approach in order to be both an overview and general guide. ...The book is well organised; its uncomplicated style makes for rapid reading and easy comprehension. ...a thorough and workman-like reference for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of urban design.
- May 2003, The Architects' Journal

'This will become the standard textbook on its subject, and deservedly so.'
Robert Cowan, Director, Urban Design Group, UK

'...the result is practical, helpful, packed with useful information and easy to understand...this is the book I wish I had written!'
Sebastian Loew, Urban Design

From the Publisher

Its user-friendly structure, with self-contained, yet well cross referenced sections/chapters, has been adopted to enable you to dip in for specific information. Readers wishing to read the book cover to cover will be aided by the gradual building of concepts one upon the other towards a total conceptualization of the subject. The book/page format aims to facilitate the dual role of drawing board companion and introductory subject overview.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Architectural Press; 1 edition (March 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750636327
• ISBN-13: 978-0750636322
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #619,115 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For teachers and designers, March 8, 2006

By 

Fabiana Izaga (Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Public Places - Urban Spaces (Paperback)

Excellent reference book for an overall view of urban design today, with an accurate portrait of contexts and conceptual dimensions of and for a practice in urban design. The graphic design with explanatory boxes is very didatic for teaching purposes.

5.0 out of 5 stars Public Places Urban Spaces, January 4, 2007

By 

Mohd Hisyam Rasidi (Japan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Public Places - Urban Spaces (Paperback)

This book is very useful to understand the theory,design approach and planning schemes and concept development for public spaces. In addition the presentation and data are easily to understand the message of the author. The case study also provide good attempt to look at several good examples. Finally, I would like to suggest this book for all urban designers, students, architects, planners even public to understand the Public Spaces particularly in the Urban area.

4.0 out of 5 stars great introduction to urban design, August 24, 2006

By 

Jenn - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Public Places - Urban Spaces (Paperback)

I am a graduate student in planning and I had heard a lot about urban design but still had a ahrd time defining and describing it for myself-let alone someone else. I approached a professor who recommended this book and I found it really helpful. Good examples, lots of research from other urban designers, and I liked the way the book is divided into easy to grasp "dimensions."