Working Cities

Cities have historically supported production, commerce, and consumption, all central to urban life. However, in the contemporary Western city, production has been hidden or removed, while commerce and consumption have dominated. This book discusses the importance of production in the life of the city, exploring the relationships between production, architecture, and urban form. It addresses the question: What will cities be like when they become, once again, places of production and not only of consumption?

Through theoretical arguments, historical analysis, and descriptions of new initiatives, Working Cities: Architecture, Place and Production argues that contemporary cities can regain their historic role as places of material production—places where food is processed and things are made. The book envisions a future that builds on this revival, offering architectural and urban examples alongside current strategies within the context of a strong set of historically-based arguments.

The book is richly illustrated in full colour with archival and contemporary photographs, as well as maps and diagrams specially developed for the book. The diagrams effectively illustrate the varying aspects of architectural space, urban location, and production across different historical periods and industries, providing a compelling visual understanding for the reader.