Fantastic Form : Architecture and Planning Today

This is a penetrating examination of architecture and social policy in the wake of the eclipse of modernism.

Bill Risebero, author of The Story of Western Architecture and Modern Architecture and Design, brings his story of modern architecture up to date with this examination of what has followed the eclipse of modernism. He looks critically at the theory and practice of the past decade–the decline of welfare capitalism, post-modern architecture, the development of free-market and right-wing political attitudes and their application to planning and social policy. Risebero places his subject in as wide a context as possible, geographical and historical, relating it to current trends in town planning, art, education, philosophy and literary theory. He also looks at the signs of hope for the future of our cities–people''s growing concern for the environment and the earth''s resources, their increasing demands for positive change–and at their architectural implications. This is a topical, controversial book which not only describes today''s architecture and goes a long way to explain why it is as it is but also suggests radical solutions to the current unsatisfactory state of affairs.