The evolution of city planning theory and practice in the first half of the twentieth century was captured and driven by a range of exhibitionary practices in a variety of settings globally, from international expos to local public halls. The agendas of the promoters varied, but exhibitions generally drew their social legitimacy from their status as 'appropriate educative agencies of citizenship'. Bringing together a range of international case studies, this volume explores the highly visual genre of public planning exhibitions worldwide. In doing so, it provides a unique lens on the development of modern urban planning and design from the late 19th century to the present day. Focussing mainly on the first half of the 20th century, it looks in particular at historic exhibitions which sought to transform urban society's understanding of the possibilities of planning as a force for social betterment. The visuality of presentation, contemporary reactions, and outcomes for the planning profession and the community are explored to make for a unique, innovative and attractive approach to the history of planning ideas. The five major themes are the visual representation of ideas and ideologies; institutions and individuals involved; the broader context of display; and the impacts and implications for the development planning culture. With contributors including Karl Fischer, John Gold, Carola Hein, Peter Larkham, Javier Monclus, and Mark Tewdwr-Jones, the dominant intellectual paradigm further unifying the collection is planning history.

About the Author

Robert Freestone is Professor Planning and Associate Dean of Research at UNSW, Australia.

Dr Marco Amati is Senior Lecturer in Planning at La Trobe University, Australia.

Reviews

'A panoramic contribution to the history of the modern city, revealing for the first time how temporary exhibits have left a permanent mark upon the urban landscape, and - which is where planning culture comes in - on society's perceptions of past, present and future.' Michael Hebbert, University College London, UK

' ... a coherent collection of seventeen essays on planning exhibitions that have taken place since the mid-nineteenth century, and a useful introductory chapter, making it a fairly complete volume dedicated exclusively to planning exhibitions.... As the nineteen authors that contribute to this valuable book explain, planning exhibitions provided the opportunity to show the development of modern urban planning and design and through that played a major role in the transnational flow of planning ideas.' Town Planning Review

'The increasing use of information and communication technologies for the visualisation of planning proposals and impacts and the widespread use of web tools by urban planners, are just some of the new challenges confronting the future generation of urban (e-)planning exhibitions, which has much to learn from past experiences in the field, as this valuable edited collection of well written essays so clearly reveals'. International Journal of E-Planning Research

Book Information
ISBN 9781138247741
Author Robert Freestone
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 453g