Patrick Geddes Contribution to Sociology and Urban Planning: Vision of a City

Description

This book explores Patrick Geddes' significant contributions to urban planning and sociology. His vision of the city, rooted in the principles of social development and preservation of cultural and ecological resources, has inspired generations of urban planners, architects and social scientists engaged with contemporary urban issues. The book discusses Geddes' early experiments with urban renewal in Edinburgh, the famous Cities and Town Planning Exhibition and his work in India for the improvement of cities and towns with minimal financial and human cost. It examines the theoretical underpinnings of his ideas in relation to issues such as better housing and health; the preservation of history and culture; the role of a citizen; university and urban renewal; and the contemporary urban ecological crisis among others. Furthermore, it looks at the question of sustainability in the context of Geddes' vision of a more humane, social, natural and aesthetic town and city. A comprehensive review of Patrick Geddes' ideas, this book underlines the relevance of his work to contemporary urban concerns and issues, especially in India. It will be of interest to scholars and researchers of sociology, urban studies, city planning, urban sociology, architecture, human geography, urban geography, settlement studies, development studies and environmental sustainability. Cover Endorsement Page Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of illustrations Foreword Acknowledgments Chapter 1: Introduction Who is Patrick Geddes? Patrick Geddes’ early years in Edinburgh Intellectual and academic influences The city of his time: a constructive critique Sociology: the unifying discipline Geddes and academic sociology in Britain Plan of the book Notes References Chapter 2: Early experiments in urban renewal and education Edinburgh: James Court, Students Hall and others Education for civic re-construction The Outlook Tower Summer school Cities and Town Planning Exhibition Dunfermline report Notes References Chapter 3: Indian experience: A giant step ahead Trips to India: realisation of a vision City survey Principles of planning: the larger purpose Conservative surgery and diagnostic survey Role of the planner Education for town planning The state of Indian cities and their plans A counterpoint to Geddes: Edwin L. Lutyens Notes References Chapter 4: Planning for better housing and health The housing question Cleanliness, sanitation and health The Indore experiment City improvement trust: Geddes’ critique Notes References Chapter 5: Towards preservation of nature and culture: Role of the citizen Ecological cities Water bodies: tanks, ponds, wells Nullahs, parks and parkways Cultural heritage Role of the citizen Notes References Chapter 6: Education for citizenship: University and urban renewal University and city Department of sociology and civics in Bombay University Geddes and Indian sociologists Interaction with J. C. Bose, Rabindranath Tagore and others The master and disciple: Patrick Geddes and Lewis Mumford Notes References Chapter 7: Contemporary urban ecological crisis and citizens’ response: Remembering Patrick Geddes Environmental degradation and floods: mangroves, nullahs, wetlands and rivers Mangroves Nullahs Wetlands and rivers Smart City Mission: an illusion Citizen’s initiatives: issues, lessons and questions Story of two promenades in Mumbai The Koli resistance Remembering Patrick Geddes Notes References Appendix Index