What do you think?
Rate this book
London: the Unique City
In 1937 Steen Eiler Rasmussen set the city of London down in these pages with unrivaled clarity, accuracy, and sympathy. Originally written to show teh Europeans hwo much they could learn from the form of civilization in which London had taken the lead, the Unique City survives today as a work of remarkable perception and charm.
What makes London different? Why did the city develop persistently in its own way, despite interruptions and intrusions from abroad? Why is London the "scattered city," as opposed to the "concentrated city" of the Continent? Rasmussen finds his answers in the historical character and location of the English house and in the Englishman's fierce insistence on his own way of living. To make Rasmussen's central point, "London has developed organically, like the body of English law, out of the life of the people."
Rasmussen traces London's growth from it's original walls to teh modern bustle fo teh Upper Regent Street complex, crooked "like the knee of a jointed doll." His account is penetrating and detailed, a unique combination of ancient lore and modern observation. The many illustrations are an invaluable addition.
What makes London different? Why did the city develop persistently in its own way, despite interruptions and intrusions from abroad? Why is London the "scattered city," as opposed to the "concentrated city" of the Continent? Rasmussen finds his answers in the historical character and location of the English house and in the Englishman's fierce insistence on his own way of living. To make Rasmussen's central point, "London has developed organically, like the body of English law, out of the life of the people."
Rasmussen traces London's growth from it's original walls to teh modern bustle fo teh Upper Regent Street complex, crooked "like the knee of a jointed doll." His account is penetrating and detailed, a unique combination of ancient lore and modern observation. The many illustrations are an invaluable addition.
436 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1934
3 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Steen Eiler Rasmussen
55 books18 followersSteen Eiler Rasmussen, Hon. FAIA (9 January 1898 – 19 June 1990) was a Danish architect and urban planner who was a professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and a prolific writer of books and poetry. He was made a Royal Designer for Industry by the British Royal Society of Arts in 1947.
Early life and education
Steen Eiler Rasmussen was born on 19 February 1898 in Copenhagen to Lieutenant colonel and later general Christian Rasmussen and Anna Dorthea (Dori) Jung. He first apprenticed as a mason and then studied architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts from 1916 to 1918. In 1919 he set up his own practice.[1]
Architecture and urban planning
It was mainly as an urban planner that he made his name. He was part of the Danish Urban Planning Laboratory from 1924, as the Academy Council's representative, and its leader from 1942 to 1948. From 1932 to 1938 he worked at Copenhagen Municipality's Department for Urban Planning.
Through his involvement in the Urban Planning Laboratory, he was an important part of the process which led to the Finger Plan which has governed the overall development of suburban Copenhagen ever since. He also co-planned the area Tingbjerg town (yellow brickstone and greens) with C.Th. Sørensen in Copenhagen North West, as well as the town Hørsholm.
Among the buildings he has designed are Ringsted Town Hall, Mødrehjælpen (a social institution for women) in Copenhagen Ø and his own house in Rungsted Kyst Hørsholm, north of Copenhagen(1938).
Academia
Rasmussen was a lecturer at the Academy from 1924 and became a professor in 1936. Among his students were Jørn Utzon, designer of the Sydney Opera House, and Marian Pepler who designed rugs for Gordon Russell in the 1930s .
Writings
One of Rasmussen's most influential books was Experiencing Architecture, first published in Danish in 1957 and in English in 1959. Underlining the importance of a first-person, embodied experience of architecture - including its shape, color, scale, proportion, rhythm, textural effects, daylight and sound - the book may be regarded as a classic in architectural phenomenology.
Another important book was London. It was first published in Danish in 1934, in English (as London, the Unique City) in 1937. When this edition was re-issued in 1948, Rasmussen had added two Postscripts: "For English readers only", and "For American readers only". A shorter version was published as a paperback in 1960.
Other influential books by Rasmussen include Towns and Buildings (1951) and København (1969).
Among his many friends was Edmund N. Bacon.[citation needed]
Early life and education
Steen Eiler Rasmussen was born on 19 February 1898 in Copenhagen to Lieutenant colonel and later general Christian Rasmussen and Anna Dorthea (Dori) Jung. He first apprenticed as a mason and then studied architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts from 1916 to 1918. In 1919 he set up his own practice.[1]
Architecture and urban planning
It was mainly as an urban planner that he made his name. He was part of the Danish Urban Planning Laboratory from 1924, as the Academy Council's representative, and its leader from 1942 to 1948. From 1932 to 1938 he worked at Copenhagen Municipality's Department for Urban Planning.
Through his involvement in the Urban Planning Laboratory, he was an important part of the process which led to the Finger Plan which has governed the overall development of suburban Copenhagen ever since. He also co-planned the area Tingbjerg town (yellow brickstone and greens) with C.Th. Sørensen in Copenhagen North West, as well as the town Hørsholm.
Among the buildings he has designed are Ringsted Town Hall, Mødrehjælpen (a social institution for women) in Copenhagen Ø and his own house in Rungsted Kyst Hørsholm, north of Copenhagen(1938).
Academia
Rasmussen was a lecturer at the Academy from 1924 and became a professor in 1936. Among his students were Jørn Utzon, designer of the Sydney Opera House, and Marian Pepler who designed rugs for Gordon Russell in the 1930s .
Writings
One of Rasmussen's most influential books was Experiencing Architecture, first published in Danish in 1957 and in English in 1959. Underlining the importance of a first-person, embodied experience of architecture - including its shape, color, scale, proportion, rhythm, textural effects, daylight and sound - the book may be regarded as a classic in architectural phenomenology.
Another important book was London. It was first published in Danish in 1934, in English (as London, the Unique City) in 1937. When this edition was re-issued in 1948, Rasmussen had added two Postscripts: "For English readers only", and "For American readers only". A shorter version was published as a paperback in 1960.
Other influential books by Rasmussen include Towns and Buildings (1951) and København (1969).
Among his many friends was Edmund N. Bacon.[citation needed]
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 23, 2023
Quite an interesting book
May 4, 2009
Another book that I had from university in which we were only required to read a chapter and I figured it was due time to read it cover to cover. Great analysis of the development, history, and growth of London. Especially interesting are the post-WWII appendix Rasmussen added later.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in town planning, English History, or wanting to know more about London.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in town planning, English History, or wanting to know more about London.
August 13, 2011
What an amazing city!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews