The study of urban form in Great Britain

Abstract

This paper examines the history of the study of urban form in Great Britain, tracing its origins, the development of an 'indigenous' strand of work, and the introduction of M.R.G. Conzen's ideas. 'Urban form' is defined unusually widely, as many disparate strands of work have an influence upon that definition as currently conceived, including the consideration of agents and agency in urban change. Methods and techniques are discussed, from Conzenian plan analysis to computers and fractals. The main disciplinary focus is geographical, but studies from a broad range of other disciplines are also considered. © International Seminar on Urban Form, 2006.