Notes on ‘Urban Morphology: Its Nature and Development’ (1992–1999)

Abstract

This chapter develops a cross-disciplinary philosophical basis for the study of urban morphology within the sciences and the humanities, with particular emphasis on the necessity for a geospatial perspective, and lays out a systematic conceptual structure for cross-disciplinary scholarly inquiry, research approaches, and interpretation of findings in urban morphology.

Edited by J. W. R. Whitehand: These notes were compiled and written by M. R. G. Conzen between 1992 and 1999 as an outline for a large final work, ‘Urban morphology: its nature and development’, concerned with the general status and meaning of urban morphology within the human sciences. Suitably elaborated, they were to form the detailed synopsis from which a full text would be developed. Although he made additions and alterations to the outline as late as a few weeks before his death (at age 93), the project was destined to remain a goal unfulfilled. Between 1994 and 1999, these notes were converted to and maintained as a computer record by Michael P. Conzen, working in concert with his father as opportunity permitted. M. R. G. Conzen worked on different sections of the outline at different times as inspiration flowed, and by the end some were somewhat more evolved than others. Most sections were written in prose or near-prose form, albeit in often abbreviated style. Consultations with J. W. R. Whitehand yielded a judgement that, despite their rudimentary form, these notes show important trends in M. R. G. Conzen’s thinking about urban morphology during his most mature years—not available in any other of his writings—and that readers might draw some value from their inclusion here. At Michael Conzen’s request, and in light of a long and close professional association with M. R. G. Conzen and his ideas, I have sought to edit the notes—lightly—in such a way as to harmonize the different sections in a document of relatively standard format. I have sought as much as possible to retain the essential expression, nuances, even idiosyncracies, that are the prerogative of the author (J. W. R. Whitehand).