Earthly Cities

The first volume in the publisher’s pocket book series comprises two distinct sections. Firstly, architectural educator Tom Nielsen introduces the concept of the earthly city as a close, harmonious interweaving of people and nature in the history of urban development. From the muscle city, powered by human and animal labour, through the machine cities of the industrialised era, to the boundless cities of now, characterised by global communication and blurred urban distinctions. Secondly, Nielsen grapples with the urgent need to rethink urbanism in the face of the climate crisis by exploring the polarised responses to the climate crisis: technological optimism versus hyperlocal sustainability.