Like many UK cities Birmingham was heavily bombed during the Second World War and as with so many bombed British cities; and many un-bombed ones that jumped on to the re-planning bandwagon; there was a clear imperative to reconstruct. But Birmingham was atypical in how it went about this. The city had begun planning in the mid-1930s; principally to replace vast quantities of slum housing ndash; and there had been suggestions about ring roads even from the time of the First World War. So plans were available virtually ready to go; and were approved by a private Act of Parliament in 1946.Yet within Birmingham there were individuals and organisations with a great interest and influence in planning matters. This followed a significant and long-standing local tradition from the Chamberlain family to Nettlefoldrsquo;s pioneering work on planning and housing at the start of the twentieth century. Prominent amongst these was the Cadbury family and the Bournville Village Trust; and one of its immediate responses to bomb damage was the book; When We Build Again.This was immediately influential in several respects; as contemporary reviews and ongoing citations demonstrate. It highlighted some less-palatable truths about conditions in the city and more widely; with ideas about what might be done. To modern eyes some of these are radical ndash; for example the wholesale redevelopment of the Jewellery Quarter ndash; an area which was recently proposed for World Heritage status. The origins of the derided post-war comprehensive clearance approach lie in these papers. Further; it used innovative and striking graphics to communicate statistical information to lay readers; including the use of striking photography of places and; particularly; people.Also included in this volume is a facsimile of a second Bournville Trust publication from 1955; Birmingham - Fifty Years On. This less famous but equally important publication grew from a frustration at the slow pace of post-war reconstruction; and envisaged what the city would look like half a century later.
#1264763 in eBooks 2012-11-01 2012-11-01File Name: B00E4HFJTM
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Sensitive and Respectful History of the Northern Arizona and Southern Utah Enterprise on the ColoradoBy Roger WardThe town of Page still bears witness to one of the last great engineering efforts to "tame" the West and provide resources for our nations Westward expansion. Through photographs and well-researched narrative; the book chronicles the culture and contributions of indigenous residents; the early explorers and the early pioneers in a respectful manner. The main focus is on the building of Glen Canyon Dam and the development of the area as a permanent recreational and tourism center. While providing hydroelectric power; water storage for agriculture and flood control; the building of the dam created many controversies. The book does not shy away from reporting on these; but takes a neutral tone and respects all sides of the environmental; cultural and historical concerns this project created. As a part of the "Images of America" series; this book will be purchased mainly by locals and visitors to the area. However; I recommend it to history buffs and environmentalists as an excellent; short history that uses a well-documented project during the late 20th century pinnacle of the era of American Progress as a subject for important themes. It is a useful primer on the tremendous benefits as well as the complex societal changes; some good; some destructive; mainly well-intentioned but sometimes short-sighted; that this era created. Many important contemporary political and sociological issues are illustrated in the book; and the authors do a great job in presenting without too much editorial bias. As a native of Page; the primary author; Jane Ward; does; however; represent the residents pride of achievement in creating and sustaining this hardscrabble town in one of the most barren and remote; but awe-inspiring and beautiful places in our country.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Love i!By Jane E. Ward(Of course; I co-authored it; so I should!) Happy reading! And come visit us sometime!Jane E. WardPage; Arizona