Imaginary Athens: Urban Space and Memory in Berlin, Tokyo, and Seoul

This book explores how three modern cities - Berlin, Tokyo, and Seoul - transform into national capitals through an entangled, transnational process that involves an imaginative geography based on embellished memories of classical Athens. Schinkels classicist architecture in Berlin is adopted effectively in East Asia, merging with the notion of national polity as Imperial Japan sought to reinvent Tokyo and mutating into an inevitable reflection of modern civilization in colonial Seoul.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the intricate interplay of architecture, urban planning, and civic perception in three modern cities as they undergo a remarkable transformation into national capitals through a complex, transnational process infused with an imaginative geography inspired by embellished memories of classical Athens. The architectural legacy of Schinkels in Berlin, particularly his profound understanding of tectonics at its core, has left an indelible mark on cities across the globe, particularly in East Asia. As Imperial Japan embarked on the reinvention of Tokyo, blending it with the concept of national polity, Schinkels' architectural principles seamlessly merged, creating a metropolis that became an inevitable reflection of modern civilization. This remarkable journey also extended to colonial Seoul, where Schinkels' influence permeated the urban landscape, giving rise to a captivating tapestry of modernity. The book invites readers to contemplate the enigmatic allure of modernity, as these cities navigate the intricate web of historical, cultural, and geographical influences, shaping their identities and forging a new chapter in the global urban narrative.

This captivating book delves into the intricate interplay of architecture, urban planning, and civic perception in three modern cities as they undergo a remarkable transformation into national capitals through a complex, transnational process infused with an imaginative geography inspired by embellished memories of classical Athens. The architectural legacy of Schinkels in Berlin, particularly his profound understanding of tectonics at its core, has left an indelible mark on cities across the globe, particularly in East Asia. As Imperial Japan embarked on the reinvention of Tokyo, blending it with the concept of national polity, Schinkels' architectural principles seamlessly merged, creating a metropolis that became an inevitable reflection of modern civilization. This remarkable journey also extended to colonial Seoul, where Schinkels' influence permeated the urban landscape, giving rise to a captivating tapestry of modernity. The book invites readers to contemplate the enigmatic allure of modernity, as these cities navigate the intricate web of historical, cultural, and geographical influences, shaping their identities and forging a new chapter in the global urban narrative.

Weight: 740g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367639952