Water in the Making of a Socio-Natural Landscape: Rome and Its Surroundings, 1870-1922

Water in the Making of a Socio-Natural Landscape explores the transition from early modern to modern water management in late nineteenth-century Rome, focusing on the interactions between different users and uses of water and the dynamic interaction between different levels of power. It builds upon Maria Kaikas' Cities of Flows and Erik Swyngedouws' Liquid Power to introduce a new dimension to the analysis of urban water.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Water plays a crucial role in shaping the history of urban areas, and a shift in focus towards water as the central element of analysis offers a unique perspective on the development and transformation of these spaces. In Water in the Making of a Socio-Natural Landscape, author Maria Kaikas explores the transition from early modern to modern water management in late nineteenth-century Rome. This book delves into various aspects of water, including perceptions and conceptualizations of water, changes in water law, engineering projects, medical knowledge and practices, value of water in different productions, and the needs and uses of local stakeholders.

One of the key insights of the book is that water infrastructures are the complex outcome of the clash between different users and uses of water, as well as the dynamic interaction between different levels of power. Kaikas builds upon the works of Maria Kaikas and Erik Swyngedouws to introduce a new dimension to the analysis of urban water: the interaction among the three main uses of water: drinking, agriculture, and industry.

This book is written for a specialist readership with an interest in environmental and urban history, science, and technology studies. However, it can also be used by graduate and PhD students who are interested in exploring the complex relationship between water, society, and urban development. By examining the role of water in shaping urban areas, Water in the Making of a Socio-Natural Landscape provides valuable insights into the historical processes that have contributed to the formation of modern cities and the challenges that they face in the 21st century.

In conclusion, Water in the Making of a Socio-Natural Landscape is a groundbreaking book that offers a fresh perspective on the history of urban areas by focusing on water as the central element of analysis. Through its comprehensive exploration of various aspects of water, including perceptions, conceptualizations, law, engineering, medicine, value, and stakeholders, the book provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between water, society, and urban development. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in environmental history, urban studies, and the future of cities.

Weight: 560g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032184180