Place Parts, Episode 15: River, City, and Town

Sustaining a City’s Culture and Character begins with the notion that communities reflect the fusion of everyday life with the various forces and environments common to urban settings. One example is the overlap of built and natural environments, and the inspiration inherent in their combined appearance. I focus on water-influenced environments from the outset.

In the video, I reassert the book’s narrative that although it is possible to summarize some generic marks of urban culture and character-waterfronts, say; or the appearance of cities from well-known urban bridges-conclusions are elusive without additional information and reflection.

In place of the book’s examples, I document select inspirations and issues spurred by the River Thames from Richmond Hill in London, as compared to the Rivers Kennet and Lambourn in Newbury.

The not-so-subtle message redux? Local-as well as personal-circumstances still matter in a digital age.

Review the special “landing page” for Sustaining a City’s Culture and Character here.

Originally published at https://sustainingplace.com on March 13, 2021.