Making the Arctic City: The History and Future of Urbanism in the Circumpolar North

Making the Arctic City explores the untold history of city-building in the Arctic over the last 100 years, providing valuable lessons for the post-colonial study of architectural and urban planning history. It examines architects and planners' designs for Arctic urban futures and considers the impact of 20th-century models of urban design and planning.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Making the Arctic City delves into the untold story of city-building in the Arctic over the past century. Spanning northern regions of North America, including Greenland, Svalbard, and Russia, this groundbreaking book offers the first comprehensive circumpolar account of historical and contemporary architecture and urbanism in the Arctic. It showcases how the Arctic city provides valuable insights into the post-colonial study of architectural and urban planning history beyond its borders.

Examining the designs of architects and planners for Arctic urban futures, the book explores the impact of 20th-century models of urban design and planning in Arctic cities. It uncovers how contemporary architectural approaches continue to essentialize extreme climate conditions while disregarding the agency of Arctic city-dwellers, a critical perspective that is essential for shaping future design and planning practices in the region.

Through a multidisciplinary approach, the book combines historical analysis, architectural critique, and urban planning insights to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Arctic city. It sheds light on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by cities in the Arctic, including climate change, resource extraction, and cultural preservation.

By highlighting the resilience and adaptability of Arctic city-dwellers, the book encourages a reimagining of urban planning practices in the region. It advocates for a more inclusive and sustainable approach that recognizes the agency and expertise of local communities and takes into account the unique environmental and social dynamics of the Arctic.

Making the Arctic City is a groundbreaking contribution to the field of urban studies, offering valuable insights into the past, present, and future of city-building in the Arctic. It will be of interest to scholars, policymakers, and anyone passionate about the region's unique challenges and opportunities.

Weight: 614g
Dimension: 162 x 241 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350235854