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This book explores Patrick Geddes' significant contributions to urban planning and sociology. His vision of the city, rooted in the principles of social development and preservation of cultural and ecological resources, has inspired generations of urban planners, architects and social scientists engaged with contemporary urban issues.
The book discusses Geddes' early experiments with urban renewal in Edinburgh, the famous Cities and Town Planning Exhibition and his work in India for the improvement of cities and towns with minimal financial and human cost. It examines the theoretical underpinnings of his ideas in relation to issues such as better housing and health; the preservation of history and culture; the role of a citizen; university and urban renewal; and the contemporary urban ecological crisis among others. Furthermore, it looks at the question of sustainability in the context of Geddes' vision of a more humane, social, natural and aesthetic town and city.
A comprehensive review of Patrick Geddes' ideas, this book underlines the relevance of his work to contemporary urban concerns and issues, especially in India. It will be of interest to scholars and researchers of sociology, urban studies, city planning, urban sociology, architecture, human geography, urban geography, settlement studies, development studies and environmental sustainability.
List of contents
Preface Acknowledgements 1. Introduction 2. Early Experiments in Urban Renewal 3. Indian Experience: A Giant Step Ahead 4. Planning for Better Housing and Health 5. Towards Preservation of Nature and Culture: Role of the Citizen 6. Education for Citizenship: University and Urban Renewal 7. Remembering Geddes: Contemporary Urban Ecological Crisis and Citizens’ Initiatives Appendix Bibliography
About the author
Indra Munshi is former Professor of Sociology at the University of Mumbai, India. Her areas of interest are development studies, tribal studies, sociology of environment and the sociology of tourism
Summary
This book explores Patrick Geddes’s significant contributions to urban planning and sociology. His vision of the city, rooted in the principles of social development and preservation of cultural and ecological resources, has inspired generations of urban planners, architects and social scientists engaged with contemporary urban issues.
