About the book
Strategically situated at the gateway to the Mississippi River yet standing atop a former swamp, New Orleans was from the first what geographer Peirce Lewis called an \"impossible but inevitable city.\" How New Orleans came to be, taking shape between the mutual and often contradictory forces of nature and urban development, is the subject of An Unnatural Metropolis. Craig E. Colten traces engineered modifications to New Orleans's natural environment from 1800 to 2000 and demonstrates that, though all cities must contend with their physical settings, New Orleans may be the city most dependent on human-induced transformations of its precarious site. In a new preface, Colten shows how Hurricane Katrina exemplifies the inability of human artifice to exclude nature from cities and he urges city planners to keep the environment in mind as they contemplate New Orleans's future. Urban geographers frequently have portrayed cities as the antithesis of nature, but in An Unnatural Metropolis, Colten introduces a critical environmental perspective to the history of urban areas. His amply illustrated work offers an in-depth look at a city and society uniquely shaped by the natural forces it has sought to harness.
Editions of An Unnatural Metropolis
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807147825
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807147832
- PDF
- ISBN 9780807147818
Read an Excerpt
Strategically situated at the gateway to the Mississippi River yet standing atop a former swamp, New Orleans was from the first what geographer Peirce Lewis called an \"impossible but inevitable city.\" How New Orleans came to be, taking shape between the mutual and often contradictory forces of nature and urban development, is the subject of An Unnatural Metropolis. Craig E. Colten traces engineered modifications to New Orleans's natural environment from 1800 to 2000 and demonstrates that, though all cities must contend with their physical settings, New Orleans may be the city most dependent on human-induced transformations of its precarious site. In a new preface, Colten shows how Hurricane Katrina exemplifies the inability of human artifice to exclude nature from cities and he urges city planners to keep the environment in mind as they contemplate New Orleans's future. Urban geographers frequently have portrayed cities as the antithesis of nature, but in An Unnatural Metropolis, Colten introduces a critical environmental perspective to the history of urban areas. His amply illustrated work offers an in-depth look at a city and society uniquely shaped by the natural forces it has sought to harness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is An Unnatural Metropolis about?
Strategically situated at the gateway to the Mississippi River yet standing atop a former swamp, New Orleans was from the first what geographer Peirce Lewis called an \"impossible but inevitable city.\" How New Orleans came to be, taking shape between the mutual and often contradictory forces of nature and urban development, is the subject of An Unnatural Metropolis. Craig E. Colten traces engineered modifications to New Orleans's natural environment from 1800 to 2000 and demonstrates that, though all cities must contend with their physical settings, New Orleans may be the city most dependent on human-induced transformations of its precarious site. In a new preface, Colten shows how Hurricane Katrina exemplifies the inability of human artifice to exclude nature from cities and he urges city planners to keep the environment in mind as they contemplate New Orleans's future. Urban geographers frequently have portrayed cities as the antithesis of nature, but in An Unnatural Metropolis, Colten introduces a critical environmental perspective to the history of urban areas. His amply illustrated work offers an in-depth look at a city and society uniquely shaped by the natural forces it has sought to harness.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in An Unnatural Metropolis?
Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Industrial processes > Environmental science, engineering and technology
Where can I read a sample of An Unnatural Metropolis?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807147825
How long is An Unnatural Metropolis and how many pages does it have?
An Unnatural Metropolis has 264 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book An Unnatural Metropolis?
Craig E. Colten
Who is the Publisher of the book An Unnatural Metropolis?
LSU Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
An Unnatural Metropolis is available as ebook(ISBN 9780807147825) and ebook(ISBN 9780807147832) and pdf(ISBN 9780807147818)
Where can I buy An Unnatural Metropolis online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy An Unnatural Metropolis from below
Where can I buy An Unnatural Metropolis?