Catalyst Architecture : Rio De Janeiro, New York, Tokyo, Copenhagen

This book raises a discussion in regard to architecture's role as a catalyst for urban development. Through studies of eight architectural projects in large cities on four different continents, the focus is placed on how architecture can promote the enriching experiences of the tolerant, the democratic, the learning and the experience rich city. In other words: The city worth living in, worth supporting and worth investing in. The projects operate with a mix of design programs, organised so that they invite diverse user groups to a variety of activities. Visual and other sensuous architectural effects frame the interaction between the projects and the human activities within their urban context -- an interaction that indicates a direction for a new narrative about the potential of place. The book is written for everybody with an interest in architecture and urban life in large cities and is a must-read for students of architecture, urban design, town planning, urban geography, urban sociology and aesthetic studies.