The Endless CityRicky Burdett, Deyan Sudjic

The Endless City presents a unique survey of the contemporary city at the beginning of the 21st century. It includes a wealth of material that has emerged from a sequence of six conferences held by influential figures in the field of urban development and its related disciplines, and examines the requisite tools for creating a thriving modern city. The book has been edited by Ricky Burdett and Deyan Sudjic in collaboration with one of the most important educational institutions in this field, the London School of Economics, which assures that the information and data provided is reliable, accurate and informed.

Taking 6 key cities as its focal point: New York, Shanghai, London, Mexico City, Johannesburg and Berlin, The Endless City discusses in depth not only the infrastructure and architectural expansion necessary for continuous urban growth, but also the social and economic factors that are critical to urban development in the 21st century. Clearly organised into separate sections for each city, the book will have a strong visual impact and make detailed scholarly research straightforward and manageable. Images of each city will complement the discussions and enrich the discussion presented in the text.

With contributions by experts in urban development, this book will appeal to architects, city planners, economists, students, politicians and anyone with an interest in the future of our cities. Specifications:

  • Format: Paperback
  • Size: 245 × 210 mm (9 5/8 × 8 1/4 in)
  • Pages: 512 pp
  • Illustrations: 2000 illustrations
  • ISBN: 9780714859569

Ricky Burdett is Centennial Professor in Architecture and Urbanism at the London School of Economics and Director of the Urban Age. He is an adviser on architecture to the Mayor of London, the BBC and the Tate, and is the Chief Adviser on Architecture and Urbanism to the London Olympic Delivery Authority. He was also Director of the Venice Architecture Biennale (2006).

Dejan Sudjic is Director of the Design Museum, London and a former Dean of the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture at Kingston University. He was previously editor of Blueprint and Domus magazines, and Director of 'Glasgow 1999: UK City of Architecture and Design' and the Venice Architecture Biennale (2002). Former architecture critic for the Observer, he has written several books, including The 100 Mile City (1992), and John Pawson Works and Future Systems, published by Phaidon.

"It's an urban jungle out there: a two-page spread of Berlin from Phaidon's The Endless City, edited by Ricky Burdett and Deyan Sudjic. The photographic urban studies title seeks to analyse the 'relentless' migration from rural areas to the city by focusing on London, New York, Shanghai, Berlin, Mexico City and Johannesburg. The book was overseen by The London School of Economics and written in conjunction with the Urban Age Project, an international organisation that investigates the future of cities. There are more than 30 contributors, including architect Rem Koolhaas, sociologist Richard Sennett and deputy mayor of London Nicky Gavron."—The Bookseller

"A scholarly study of urban development... While The Endless City is packed with statistics and terms like 'dense compact city with traditional perimeter housing', the facts are broken up and made palatable by stunning images that demonstrate what the statistics and jargon actually mean... This book will help you understand what 'social diversity' really is."—Dazed & Confused

"A 500-page tour de force."—Washington Post Writers Group

"The sheer scope of this book, with nearly 35 contributors, is magnificent - covering topics from global capitals and employment dynamics to 'vertical ghettos' and satellite photos of 'urban grain."—Dwell

"Photographs, diagrams, and statistics add up to a captivating, if alarming, portrayal of metropolitan life in the twenty-first century."—Condé Nast Traveler

"Exhilarating... This book is as discursive, contradictory and downright dangerous as any great city should be."—RIBA North West magazine