Return to the center : culture, public space, and city building in a global era / text and photographs by Lawrence A. Herzog.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Herzog, Lawrence A. (Lawrence Arthur)

Series:

Roger Fullington series in architecture.

Roger Fullington series in architecture

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Public spaces--Social aspects--Spain--Case studies.

Public spaces.

Public spaces--Social aspects--Mexico--Case studies.

City planning--Social aspects.

City planning.

Architecture and society.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (300 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Other Title:

Culture, public space, and city building in a global era

Place of Publication:

Austin : University of Texas Press, 2006.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The redesign and revitalization of traditional urban centers is the cutting edge of contemporary urban planning, as evidenced by the intense public and professional attention to the rebuilding of city cores from Berlin to New York City's "Ground Zero." Spanish and Latin American cities have never received the recognition they deserve in the urban revitalization debate, yet they offer a very relevant model for this "return to the center." These cultures have consistently embraced the notion of a city whose identity is grounded in its organic public spaces: plazas, promenades, commercial streets, and parks that invite pedestrian traffic and support a rich civic life. This groundbreaking book explores Spanish, Mexican, and Mexican-American border cities to learn what these urban areas can teach us about effectively using central public spaces to foster civic interaction, neighborhood identity, and a sense of place. Herzog weaves the book around case studies of Madrid and Barcelona, Spain; Mexico City and Querétaro, Mexico; and the Tijuana-San Diego border metropolis. He examines how each of these urban areas was formed and grew through time, with attention to the design lessons of key public spaces. The book offers original and incisive discussions that challenge current urban thinking about politics and public space, globalization, and the future of privatized communities, from gated suburbs to cyberspace. Herzog argues that well-designed, human-scaled city centers are still vitally necessary for maintaining community and civic life. Applicable to urban renewal projects around the globe, Herzog's book will be important reading for planners, architects, designers, and all citizens interested in creating more livable cities.

Contents:

Preface

Acknowledgments

Culture, public space, and cities

The city and public space in Spain

Modernity and public space in crisis: contemporary Madrid

"City of architects": public space and the resurgence of Barcelona

Spain meets Mesoamerica: the city and public space in Mexico

Revitalizing historic centers in urban Mexico: politics and public space

The globalization of urban form: transcultural public spaces along the Mexico-United States international border

Return to the center? politics, Latino culture, and public space.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. [255]-266) and index.

ISBN:

0-292-79415-0

OCLC:

646793550