Synopses & Reviews
Built by industrialists whose early businesses contributed to the escalation of the Industrial Revolution, company towns flourished in countries that embraced capitalism and open-market trading. In many instances, the company town came to symbolize the wrecking of the environment, especially
in places associated with extractive industries such as mining and lumber milling. Some resident industrialists, however, took a genuine interest in the welfare of their work forces, and in a number of instances hired architects to provide a model environment. Overtaken by time, these towns were
either abandoned or caught up in suburban growth. The most thorough-going and only international assessment of the company town, this collection of essays by specialists and authorities of each region offers a balanced account of architectural and social history and provides a better understanding
of the architectural and urban experiences of the early industrial age.
Review
"Students concerned with the relation of industry to planning will have a field day reading it."--Choice
"This book is distinguished by a uniformly clear and well-written text along with good photographs and plans."--Journal of Interdisciplinary History
"This fine book not only does justice to the topic of company towns but also suggests how much more we need to learn and synthesize....The book includes an invaluable company town bibliography for each of the regions covered in its chapters..."--Industrial Archeology
Synopsis
Built by industrialists whose early businesses contributed to the escalation of the Industrial Revolution, company towns flourished in countries that embraced capitalism and open-market trading. In many instances, the company town came to symbolize the wrecking of the environment, especially in places associated with extractive industries such as mining and lumber milling. Some resident industrialists, however, took a genuine interest in the welfare of their work forces, and in a number of instances hired architects to provide a model environment. Overtaken by time, these towns were either abandoned or caught up in suburban growth. The most thorough-going and only international assessment of the company town, this collection of essays by specialists and authorities of each region offers a balanced account of architectural and social history and provides a better understanding of the architectural and urban experiences of the early industrial age.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [233]-241) and index.