In The New Science of Cities; Michael Batty suggests that to understand cities we must view them not simply as places in space but as systems of networks and flows. To understand space; he argues; we must understand flows; and to understand flows; we must understand networks -- the relations between objects that comprise the system of the city. Drawing on the complexity sciences; social physics; urban economics; transportation theory; regional science; and urban geography; and building on his own previous work; Batty introduces theories and methods that reveal the deep structure of how cities function.Batty presents the foundations of a new science of cities; defining flows and their networks and introducing tools that can be applied to understanding different aspects of city structure. He examines the size of cities; their internal order; the transport routes that define them; and the locations that fix these networks. He introduces methods of simulation that range from simple stochastic models to bottom-up evolutionary models to aggregate land-use transportation models. Then; using largely the same tools; he presents design and decision-making models that predict interactions and flows in future cities. These networks emphasize a notion with relevance for future research and planning: that design of cities is collective action.
#2961301 in eBooks 2013-10-30 2013-10-30File Name: B00GDFI8MS
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Jeannine B JohnsonPurchased as a gift1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Love the bookBy Artist and CuratorLove the book; it is dense with ideas clearly researched and with in depth discussions around Walter Benjamin and other writings that are often the basis of photographic discussions. It was great to go back and e-evaluate the original texts in such detail; and that propels the work into new areas of exploration.Great book for any photo history buff as well due to the collection of the earliest photographs and array of images of camera lucida devises.A real treasure! ( I am buying the hard back version too because I want the color plates that are not in the paperback!)10 of 11 people found the following review helpful. I was really impressed...By SJ CowanSilvermans history of photography is academically rigorous but has a poetic quality that makes it extremely enjoyable to read. In terms of the academic quality: there is an obvious amount of knowledge and research that went into writing this bookmdash;I dont mean to suggest that it is full of jargon that a nonspecialist would struggle to understand. This is because Silvermans style; which is subtle and philosophical; but also very approachable; gives each chapter its own sort of sensuous rhythm. And besides the gentle aesthetic quality of her writing; the images she chose to illustrate her points with successfully draw the reader in and drive her narrative forward.I was really impressed by Silvermans ability to not only engage with the history of photography in a creative way; imagining an alternative conceptual framework by which to understand not just the *being* but also the *becoming* of photography; but also with her ability to craft such a complex idea into a book that was so fun to read. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of photography (previous knowledge of the subject would help; but is by no means necessary); aesthetics; or in the work of Walter Benjamin or Merleau-Ponty; and I would also; recommend it for those interested in Alva Noeuml;; his "Varieties of Presence" in particular. My only complaint is that I have to wait to read the second volume...but I will definitely be reading this volume again once the second is released.