{"product_id":"smooth-city-against-urban-perfection-towards-collective-alternatives","title":"Smooth City: Against Urban Perfection, Towards Collective Alternatives","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSynopsis\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat happens when cities become too clean, too efficient, and too controlled? In \u003cem\u003eSmooth City\u003c\/em\u003e, architectural critic René Boer argues that the global pursuit of frictionless urban living has come at the cost of democracy, diversity, and public life. From Amsterdam and London to Dubai, Hong Kong, and Cairo, Boer examines how surveillance, privatization, tourism, and carefully managed public spaces are reshaping cities into polished environments that leave little room for spontaneity, dissent, or difference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlending architecture, urban theory, politics, and cultural criticism, \u003cem\u003eSmooth City\u003c\/em\u003e offers a compelling critique of contemporary city-making while imagining more open, imperfect, and genuinely public alternatives. An essential read for anyone interested in how our built environments shape the way we live together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRené Boer is a Dutch critic, curator, and writer working at the intersection of architecture, urbanism, design, and cultural heritage. Based in Amsterdam, he is a founding partner of Loom: Weaving New Worlds and an editor at \u003cem\u003eFailed Architecture\u003c\/em\u003e. His work focuses on the social and political dimensions of the built environment, exploring how cities can become more equitable, democratic, and inclusive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eValiz\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOctober 3, 2023\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePaperback\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePages\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e272\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubjects\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eArchitecture · Urban Studies · Cultural Criticism · Design · Politics\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e9789493246201\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Old Post Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45261797949622,"sku":"9789493246201","price":35.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/2264\/4150\/files\/9789493246201.jpg?v=1784080702","url":"https:\/\/oldpostbookshop.com\/products\/smooth-city-against-urban-perfection-towards-collective-alternatives","provider":"Old Post Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}