Preserving the World's Great Cities: The Destruction and Renewal of the Historic Metropolis

From Publishers Weekly
HThe idea of preserving the material past is not a new one the Emperor Majorian (the Jane Jacobs of 458 C.E. Rome) issued an edict to protect old buildings but in modern times, it has often been in sharp conflict with the contemporary forces of commerce, war and redevelopment. Tung, a former New York City Landmarks Preservation Commissioner, has written an innovative historical and theoretical study of architectural and cultural preservation efforts in 20 cities across the world. Rather then relying on one cultural model, Tung makes his argument by illuminating specific cases in context how Amsterdam's "medieval communal water boards" set the groundwork for modern preservation; how religious warfare devastated and continues to hinder the conservation of Jerusalem; and in China and Japan, how preservation efforts focus on retaining "the original aesthetic" rather than the original building. But the common theme is the importance of cultural conservation. Tung visited each of the 20 sites himself and relies on exhaustive archival research. He presents difficult problems fairly such as whether the Elgin Marbles should be returned to Greece despite Athenian pollution, the battle over air rights in Manhattan, and whether the reconstruction of Warsaw has destroyed the history of its destruction during the war always attempting to find a solution that relies on common sense, historical integrity and balancing practical needs with preserving heritage. This is an important contribution not only to the literature of urban studies and city planning, but to architectural history and sociology. 75 b&w photos and 50 maps not seen by PW. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Having learned that the most useful information on architectural preservation often comes from other places, former New York City Landmarks Preservation Commissioner Tung decided to visit some of the world's most significant buildings in China, Italy, Greece, Japan, and elsewhere. Here he aims to compile what he learned into one volume, recording his on-site investigations into the architectural preservation issues facing 18 major cities of the world. The first section describes the destruction of historic urban environments worldwide and the conservation statutes that have been created in response. The second two contain a series of urban conservation profiles. While the book is not meant to be an academic treatise, its format and depth of discussion will discourage most popular readers. The maps are useful if minimal given the book's length; 75 black-and-white photographs, though not included in the proof copy, should help clarify the discussions. Recommended for urban public libraries and all architecture and urban planning collections. Jay Schafer, Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
No doubt the world is getting more urban, for better and worse. What has drawn so many to occupy so little space? What have great cities done to preserve their culture, heritage, ideology, and beauty? Have those cities reconciled increased growth and greater standards of habitability? Tung researched 22 modern metropolises, investigating how architectural preservation has worked or failed in some of the most significant cities in the world. He visited modern incarnations of ancient cities, such as Athens, Rome, Jerusalem, Kyoto, and Beijing; and he explored relatively young, planned cities, such as Singapore. He explored war-ravaged, historic centers such as Warsaw, Berlin, and Vienna. In all these cities, he finds, a culture of conservation is hotly debated, and proponents of tourism butt heads with historical preservationists. Utilitarian megacities, such as Cairo, confront failing infrastructures. Through his studies, Tung discerns that, on every continent, cities have adopted a culture of destruction that seems to divide further our modernity from our many pasts. Michael Spinella
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


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Having learned that the most useful information on architectural preservation often comes from other places, former New York City Landmarks Preservation Commissioner Tung decided to visit some of the world's most significant buildings in China, Italy, Greece, Japan, and elsewhere. Here he aims to compile what he learned into one volume, recording his on-site investigations into the architectural preservation issues facing 18 major cities of the world. The first section describes the destruction of historic urban environments worldwide and the conservation statutes that have been created in response. The second two contain a series of urban conservation profiles. While the book is not meant to be an academic treatise, its format and depth of discussion will discourage most popular readers. The maps are useful if minimal given the book's length; 75 black-and-white photographs, though not included in the proof copy, should help clarify the discussions. Recommended for urban public libraries and all architecture and urban planning collections. Jay Schafer, Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.


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