2010 Volume 14.1
Editorial comment
Urban landscapes as ensembles
Articles
The urban structural unit: towards a descriptive framework to support urban analysis and planning
P. Osmond {+}Abstract [Full paper, PDF, 2MB 
]
ABSTRACT: At the most fundamental level, a city represents a set of structured relationships between space, form and flows. This paper focuses on the description of urban space and form to propose a classification framework to support subsequent explanation and interpretation of the flows of materials, energy and information which characterize the city. Description of urban form in terms of type, number and arrangement of parts and part-to-part relations, rather than explanation in terms of land use or historical derivation, is identified as the basis for decomposition of an urban space into a set of relatively morphologically homogeneous entities, or urban structural units (USUs). To enable a rigorous definition of the USU, this paper introduces the notion of a parallel hierarchy of open space, complementary techniques derived from space syntax to describe the urban street network, and consideration of other civil infrastructure networks (water, electricity etc.). Land classification systems are examined to assess the role of geophysical properties in delineating USUs. These diverse elements are combined into an integrated classification framework with the potential to support urban analysis, planning and design across multiple scales of investigation.
Plot longevity and urban land tenure: a Norwegian case study
G.A. Ersland {+}Abstract [Full paper, PDF, 5MB ]
ABSTRACT: The longevity of plot boundaries has been observed by many scholars and in different geographical regions. The hypothesis that the persistence of plot boundaries is related to the legal position of the plot holder (or renter) is explored in this paper, focusing on the Norwegian town of Bergen. The concept of ‘right to use and possess’ found in medieval law is shown to have had a major influence in maintaining existing plot patterns in Bergen over many centuries. The property owner could not change or amalgamate his plots if this conflicted with the interests of the plot holder. Thus the town’s plot structure was preserved even after fire.
The study of urban form in Turkey
A.S. Kubat {+}Abstract [Full paper, PDF, 0.2MB ]
ABSTRACT: Urban form is studied in a variety of disciplines in Turkey, but it has recently become central to urban studies. Histories of individual towns have usually been preoccupied with political, socio-economic and cultural issues. Archaeological excavations have made an important contribution to the reconstruction and analysis of Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Turkish historic cities located in Anatolia and Thrace. Urban form is often considered as a container of socio-economic processes and as a marker in the search for cultural identity in Turkey. Architectural studies have focused mainly on important buildings and housing areas. The increasingly strong morphological perspective in urban studies is part of a reaction to the loss of historical fabric associated with large-scale urban renewal schemes. Urban morphological research in Turkey is reviewed here mainly since the 1970s. A number of disciplines are covered, particularly architecture, urban planning, urban design, geography and urban history. The historical evolution of Anatolian civilizations and its impact on settlement forms is outlined. Attention is drawn in particular to the contribution of urban planning and urban history to urban morphological research.
Review article: Palladio’s children ... and Vitruvius’s grandchildren?
I. Samuels [Full paper, PDF, 0.1MB ]
Viewpoints
The elusive common denominator in understanding urban form M.P. Conzen
The form-making process and architectural type N. Marzot
A new lens to illuminate and elucidate urban form? I. Morley
A traditional English street village in America A. Krim
[Viewpoints, PDF ]
Reports
Représenter la ville: international colloquium, Bordeaux, 2009 T.R. Slater
Sixteenth International Seminar on Urban Form, Guangzhou, 2009 D. O’Connell
ISUF business meetings, Guangzhou, 2009 S.M. Whitehand
[Reports, PDF ]
Book reviews
V. Del Rio and W. Siembieda (eds) (2009) Contemporary urbanism in Brazil: beyond Brasilia S. de A. Pereira Costa
J. Monclús (2009) International exhibitions and urbanism: the Zaragoza Expo 2008 project C. Bellet
T. Hall (2007) Turning a town around: a proactive approach to urban design R. Fischler
M. Tang and D. Yang (2008) Urban paleontology: evolution of urban forms O. Çalişkan
C.P. Graves Jr (2008) The genealogy of cities M.P. Conzen
[Book reviews, PDF ]
Book notes
[Book notes, PDF ]
Notes and notices
- Historic urban landscapes
- Sustainable cities?
- ISUF 2011: Urban morphology and the post-carbon city
- Election to the Council of ISUF
- Seventeenth International Seminar on Urban Form
- Meeting of the Council of ISUF
- Fourteenth International Planning History Society Conference
- Space is luxury
- Revisiting New towns of the Middle Ages
- Annual Meeting of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
- Forthcoming articles in Urban Morphology
