Learning from the Japanese City

by Barrie Shelton

Japanese cities are amongst the most intriguing and confounding anywhere. Their structures, patterns of building and broader visual characteristics defy conventional urban design theories, and the book explores why this is so. Like its cities, Japan’s written language is recognized as one of the most complicated, and the book is unique in revealing how the two are closely related. Set perceptively against a sweep of ideas drawn from history, geography, science, cultural and design theory, Learning from the Japanese City is a highly original exploration of contemporary urbanism that crosses disciplines, scales, time and space. This is a thoroughly revised and much extended version of a book that drew extensive praise in its first edition. Most parts have stood the test of time and remain. A few are replaced or removed; about a hundred figures appear for the first time. Most important is an entirely new (sixth) section. This brings together many of the urban characteristics, otherwise encountered in fragments through the book, in one walkable district of what is arguably Japan’s most convenient metropolis, Nagoya. The interplay between culture, built form and cities remains at the heart of this highly readable book, while a change in subtitle to Looking East in Urban Design reflects increased emphasis on real places and design implications.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cities, Japan, Architecture, Urban Planning, Urbanism

208 pages, Paperback

First published July 27, 1999

Reviews

[Powersamurai · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long time resident of Japan, I've often wondered about the ad hoc cityscape in Japan but just accepted it as it was over the years. Shelton has helped me connect the dots and put some order to what most of us Westerners think is a mess. It's really not a mess at all. A bit expensive for a casual read, but well worth it for those with a deep interest in the whys of Japan's town planning.

[Yalin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The work of Shelton is one I have read closely with interest and with great ease. His dissection and discussion of the Japanese urban landscape - over about 170 pages - reads in a way I would not have expected from a scholarly work. It is not littered with jargon and boring in depth discussion of minute details that end up not mattering, but rather it is a creative and intriguing whole which is colored by the addition of Shelton's personal recollections and observations about the Japanese urban landscape. It is a great look into what makes the Japanese urban structures and landscapes so unique and interesting as an object of study, and as a living and evolving structure. It is a great work and a wonderful read - which I would recommend to beginners and enthusiasts of the subject of Japanese urbanism/urban studies.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book, overflowing with ideas. Shelton approaches his analysis from unlikely angles, considering Japanese writing systems, the design of children’s magazine covers, the terraforming of land, and use of sidewalks. I learned a ton. It’s not terribly easy to read but accessible to a non-academic.

[Showering · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for my Master study, it's pretty interesting.