Here's the invite to the walk on Monday 11 August:
Would you like to join us on a celebratory walk from the Tower to Westminster on Monday 11 August from 6.00pm? It is a walk to mark the life and influence of Gordon Cullen, architect, illustrator and visual urbanist (b. August 1914).
Writing in the Architectural Review, Gordon Cullen encapsulated the concept of visual coherence and organisation of our urban environment, under the theme of ‘townscape’. He wrote a seminal book with the title ‘Townscape’ published in 1961. Some have argued that many of his ideas and observations were not sufficiently robust, others have seen him in better light, as a significant contributor to visual urbanism, architectural history, and urban design as well as an accomplished illustrator.
Along the route, we will be stopping to discuss (photograph & sketch) themes that Cullen described in ‘Townscape’, that encapsulated his arguments that visual coherence and organisation of buildings, streets and places contribute to on a human scale to the civility of our cities.
The walk is free but we would welcome donations to a fund we are putting together to create an annual 3-day ‘Talking Townscape Festival’ each August and an on-line platform to publicise walks and events to celebrate Cullen’s life and work.
To register to take part, simply complete the form here
- please arrive promptly at the start and bring with you any Cullen ephemera you may have - copies of books, plans, photographs or drawings. If you can't make the start, do register and check in with us to know times in the walk where we will be passing points specific landmarks.
"Historic figures like Gordon Cullen, are important in terms of the debate today on cities and towns, design and quality; and whether it can be won or influenced by reasoned argument, evidence and science; or by emotion and force of personality; or both. It comes at a time when there is a debate on density, on tall buildings; on health and liveability, on the role of design in promoting friendships and genuine community, as well as the immense problems of overcrowding, public-health, water supplies, sanitation that beset many of the world’s developing cities. There was never more need for a strong voice.”
Robert Huxford, Director of the UK’s Urban Design Group.
The Urban Design Group and the University of Westminster (where Cullen studied) will be running a Cullen symposium in November 2014.
More details (as they emerge) at Talking Townscape
#talkingtownscape
