The Importance of Urban Form as an Object of Study

The importance of urban morphology is argued from three perspectives—philosophical, cultural and practical. Urban morphology makes sense of the world around us and this chapter will demonstrate the importance of ‘ways of seeing’, arguing for a philosophical approach that integrates physical, social and cultural dimensions of cities. Culturally, understanding urban morphology is a prerequisite to an awareness of urban aesthetics and the layers of meaning attached to townscapes. Through such appreciation, its study adds to the quality of life. Practically, the study of urban morphology performs a vital educational function. Through the detailed study of urban form, we learn both what not to do and how to do things better, a vital objective in achieving successful and holistic urban management. Urban morphology provides an appreciation and unique training for integrating closely related fields of practical application such as urban design, planning, architecture and conservation

Fringe Belts

This chapter is principally concerned with Jeremy Whitehand’s contribution to the study of urban fringe belts. However, this consideration will initially be set in a broader context relating to the general field of urban morphology as an object of study. This is because the development of urban morphology as an academic endeavour, and along with it, the study of fringe belts, has not been a straightforward linear progression. Indeed, there have been periods when, in the Anglophone world at least, the subject appeared to be on the verge of extinction. The fact that this has not occurred is in no small measure due to the efforts of JWR Whitehand. The essay will then proceed to an assessment of the major contributions made by Whitehand in the general area of fringe-belt studies. We shall then conclude with a personal assessment of Whitehand’s overall influence and academic characteristics, derived mainly, although not exclusively, from his contributions to that specific branch of urban morphology