The City and the Super-Organism: A History of Naturalism in Urban Planning

This book explores how naturalism, the idea of a common theory uniting natural social systems, has influenced urban planning over the centuries, from the 17th century to the present. It examines the work of medical analyses of city life and how vitalism, eugenics, evolutionary theories, and medical treatments were used to understand cities and propose new urban forms. It also highlights a renewed interest in applying sciences to analyze city life to address challenges of human-induced climate change.

Format: Hardback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 20 November 2021
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This captivating book delves into the profound impact of naturalism, the notion of a unified theory that connects natural social systems, on urban planning. Its journey begins in the 17th century, when the human body emerged as a source of inspiration for urban design. The book explores the work of medical analyses of city life, responding to the transformative forces of the 19th century industrial revolution, 20th century modernism, the Second World War, and mass motorization. Dr. Marco Amati, a leading authority in the field, showcases how vitalism, eugenics, evolutionary theories, and medical treatments were employed to understand cities and propose innovative urban forms.

While critically examining the applications of naturalism, Amati also detects a resurgence of interest in applying scientific methodologies to analyze city life. He argues that this is crucial in addressing the challenges posed by human-induced climate change. Through meticulous research and analysis, the book offers a comprehensive exploration of the ways in which naturalism has shaped the urban landscape, providing valuable insights into the future of urban planning and development.

Weight: 445g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811639760
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021