Rebuilding Urban Complexity: A Configurational Approach to Postindustrial Cities [Hardcover]

A beautifully illustrated digital archeology of what some call the first Industrial city - Manchester. Francesca Froy charts the evolution and integration, the complexity and morphology of a place?made?by people and the materials they consume, process and rely on. Relying on a wider range of sources than almost any other book of this kind, the result is an academic masterpiece.

Danny Dorling, Professor, University of Oxford.

This is a much needed publication. It takes on the mantle of Jane Jacobs, discussing urban complexity in a way that will be appeal to people who are interested in actual cities rather than cities in the abstract. It is written with a lightness of touch which is not easily achieved, and which will appeal to a wide readership.

Sam Griffiths, Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL.

We are all captivated by complexity, recognising its pervasive presence in our world and striving to understand it. Many dream of mastering it or at least guiding it towards desired outcomes. Yet, complexity remains elusive, especially within urban environments. Francesca Froy presents a fresh and insightful perspective on deciphering the intricate fabric of cities and their local economies. Her configurational view explores how economies unfold and self-organise into specialised branches through the spatial topology of cities. With a captivating style, Froy unveils the hidden threads that shape urban life, offering readers a compelling journey into the heart of urban complexity.

Vinicius Netto, University of Porto, Portugal.

This book moves beyond the rhetoric of 'resilient cities' to show how the economy of cities is geared to urban form and street networks at multiple scales. In a masterful exploration of urban complexity and self-organization, Froy shows how cities work to sustain liveliholS: