THE FACE OF THE METROPOLIS

Pointing out that ""urban design, architecture and landscape architecture are inescapable,"" interested in developing a responsive clientele since the ""greatest need in our cities is not so much a gigantic rebuilding program as for a gigantic upsurge of popular concern for and pride in the urban environment,"" the author presents some seventy examples of recent and current design. The buildings or complexes commented upon and pictured cover all the activities of the metropolitan area from commerce and industry, government and research centers, through transportation, education, recreation, places of worship and residence in the Center, Middle or Outer City. Most examples come from United States cities; but owering exceptions include Le Corbusier's Chandrigar and Unite d'Habitation, Marseillas, the Toronto Subway, the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, etc. Within the U.S.A., the concentration is heaviest in New York City (Rokckefeller Center, The House of Seagram, the UN, etc.) and Boston (The Charles River Basin, the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge, etc.) and the eastern part of the country. Remarks fill in on the history of the project, its effect not always salutary -- for instance, what provision is, there for traffic and accessory buildings at Lincoln Center?) and place in the community. This provides the interested layman with an easy acquaintance to the present cityscape and how it got that way. Photographs (not seen) form an important part of the book.