Edinburgh's New Town, built between 1767 and 1850, is one of Europe's
finest neoclassical neighbourhoods, a triumph of town planning, with
UNESCO World Heritage status. But the importance of the New Town goes
far beyond the quality of its architecture. Nearly 250 years after it
was built, today it is not only a carefully conserved Georgian
neighbourhood but a vibrant community in which people from all walks of
life thrive in harmonious surroundings. Those include over 7,000
residential properties of enormous variety, and its shops, schools,
pubs, restaurants and community facilities, which contribute to its
unique quality of life and attract visitors from around the world. This
book celebrates the history and achievements of the New Town. Through
photos, drawings, historic maps and aerial photography, the authors
explore the New Town's origins in the philiosophy of the Enlightenment
and the role of politics, land ownership, finance, design and materials
in its development. This is a friendly and accessible introduction to
the exteriors and interiors of its buildings, with a walking tour
included, drawing on both historic maps and modern satellite images. It
links the New Town to current debates on urban architecture, concluding
that it is an inspiring model for new communities around the world. This
is a book for the passionate, knowledgeable lover of Georgian
architecture, but equally for the casual visitor who wants to get to
know the New Town better.
