UNDERSTANDING TOWNS

David Stenhouse

Wayland 1977

For most of us, towns are just a meaningless mass of bricks and concrete, glass and tarmac: but observed carefully and in detail our urban environment can become a fascinating social study. By detecting and recognising the signs which you find all around you – from the types of building bricks used and "ordinary" house design, to road systems and the location of rail and other transport terminals – you can build up a picture of the fortunes, functions and character of your town.

Understanding towns is a study of the major factors which determine the shape and design of towns – transport, the demand for land, population changes, planning, town centres and suburban housing. With each chapter there is a special study section on one important aspect of the general topic covered. With the chapter on transport for example we learn how roads have developed and how road surfaces, signs and patterns have changed. To complete the book there is an in-depth study of one particular town – Runcorn – which illustrates all the processes involved in town growth and change.

This is an ex library copy, which has four light withdrawn stamps and one library stamp (over one of the withdrawn stamps), which has the expected ink references in it. There are also the remains of a label and a ticket envelope on the inside front covers. There is a reference tag towards the base of the spine and the whole has been covered with a clear protective film.These are not too intrusive in my opinion and do not detract from the character of the book.

The book features over 100 instructive photographs, diagrams and charts (black and white), glossary and index. The pages are clean and tightly bound. A useful aid to anyone studying the subject matter