Photography, Reconstruction and the Cultural History of the Postwar European City

This book explores how urban photography shaped individual architectural projects and national rebuilding efforts in Britain, France, and West Germany up to the early 1960s, revealing how the ways of seeing shaped in the postwar years by urban photography were a vital aspect of discourses on the postwar city and debates central to popular culture.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Examining the imagery of urban space in Britain, France, and West Germany up to the early 1960s, this book delves into the profound influence of photography on individual architectural projects and national rebuilding efforts alike. By exploring the impact of urban photography at a pivotal moment in contemporary European architecture and culture, this comprehensive work addresses a range of case studies, spanning from the destruction of the war to the modernizing reconfiguration of city spaces. These case studies encompass a diverse array of subjects, including ruin photobooks that document the aftermath of bombed cities, architectural photography that captures the essence of housing projects, and imagery of urban life from popular photomagazines. Moreover, this book showcases internationally renowned projects such as UNESCO's Paris Headquarters, Coventry Cathedral, and Berlin's Gedächtniskirche, highlighting the ways in which urban photography shaped the visual narrative of postwar Europe.

What emerges from this examination is a clear recognition of the ways in which the postwar years witnessed a profound shift in the ways of seeing, influenced by the medium of urban photography. These visual narratives not only shaped discourses on the postwar city but also played a central role in debates that touched upon key aspects of popular culture. From the commemoration of the past to the pursuit of modernization and democratization, from the quest for Europeanization to the celebration of cultural diversity, urban photography served as a powerful tool for capturing and conveying these complex and multifaceted themes.

As a result, this book offers a rich and captivating exploration of the multifaceted relationship between urban photography and the shaping of postwar European architecture, culture, and memory. It will be of immense interest to researchers in the fields of photography and visual studies, architectural and urban history, cultural memory, and contemporary European history. By delving into the visual archives and examining the ways in which urban photography influenced the construction of urban spaces and the construction of collective identities, this book provides valuable insights into the complex and evolving dynamics of postwar Europe.

Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367622541