This famous study of the planning, financing and building of the New Town in Edinburgh brings to life one of the most remarkable urban expansion programmes ever undertaken. A. J. Youngson brings to life the vigour of the planning debates, the fundraising schemes, the administrative and legislative infrastructure of planning, the construction of public buildings as poles of attraction for speculative building, and all the hopes, quarrels, victories and civic bankruptcy that went into this great experiment.
Superbly illustrated with photographs by acclaimed photographer Edwin Smith, along with a selection of contemporary images and a preface by Colin McLean, this book is a classic work of economic and social history, and a fascinating account of the shaping of one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
The Making of Classical Edinburgh
Description
Author Description
A.J. Youngson was a Professor of Economic History at the University of Edinburgh, and an Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University. He was also the Chairman of the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland and published extensively about the economic development of British cities.
Edwin Smith (1912-71) was one of the eminent architectural photographers of his time and his reflective, black-and-white images appeared in many books. His photographs for the original edition of 'The Making of Classical Edinburgh' quickly became recognised as the defining images of the City in the mid-twentieth century.
Colin McLean is an architectural photographer whose work has been exhibited in the Royal Scottish Academy, in Dundee Contemporary Arts and in Edinburgh City Art Centre, as well as appearing in publications and the media. His photography has been recognised with the award of a distinction by the Royal Photographic Society.