Urban landscape - Cristina Paredes

Urban design involves the arrangement, appearance and functionality of towns and cities, with a particular focus on public spaces such as parks, squares and gardens as well as infrastructure and privately owned spaces. The design of these public spaces has become increasingly important to the long-term development and well-being of communities, and can provide towns and cities with a unique identity. Careful use of a wide range of urban furniture assists and refines this aim. "Urban Landscape" shows off 37 examples of public spaces from all around the world, illustrating the arrival of new resources, procedures and priorities to the art of designing public spaces.Maps, sketches, plans, explanatory text and numerous photographs provide thorough documentation of the chosen projects. These include West 8's ongoing One-North Park (500 acres of greenery in the midst of Singapore City), Melbourne's futuristic focal point (the Lab Architecture Studio-designed Federation Square), Sami Rintala's temporary floating libraries in Oslo and the monstrous fluid curves of Vito Acconci's Performing Arts Centre Plaza, Memphis. The sheer variety presented here makes this an extremely desirable title for all with an interest in this field