PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The product of a large-scale research project initiated by Charles Waldheim at the Office for Urbanization at Harvard’s GSD, 50 Species-Towns is a history, critique, and research proposal for a new approach to rural urbanization in China based on fifty “heritage crops,” that are now under threat. The book proposes a new paradigm for development of agricultural towns centered on a “one town, one crop” model: “each species town conceived as both product and producer of a regionally specific crop.” The book physically references an elegant horticultural manual with classical typography and a die-cut index that references each chapter: an extensive list of products from melon and pears to rice, white tea, Pomelo, Apricots, scallions, etc. The book structure follows the logic of the planning approach: each chapter defined by a plant and town. Illustrative analyses of growing patterns and agricultural methods are compared to urban plans and patterns of development. Cultural landscapes from respective regions are depicted in immersive photographic essays that depict the landscapes, agricultural methods and people. An extensive index at the end of the hefty volume that includes research inputs, case studies and new models is printed on thin pale orange florescent stock. Index themes – agrarian imaginaries (historical references and perspective), agrarian identities (an analysis of demographics and speculative profiles of diverse populations), morphologies (case studies of principle planning morphologies and new environmentally sound strategies) and typologies (new models for regional building) are depicted in an eclectic array of images, diagrams and renderings.

BOOK INFORMATION

Trim Size: 8 7/8 x 11 ¾ in

Number of Pages: 560

Binding Method: Smythe-sewn

Paper:

Typefaces: Adobe Garamond Pro, Monument Grotesk, Noto Sans SC, Prestige Elite Std.

CREDIT INFORMATION

Creative Director: Michael Rock

Art Director: Donnie Luu

Book Designer: Zack Robbins; Bentzion Goldman

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Other Credits: Mark Heller - Research Assistant; Camila Huber Horta Barbosa - Research Assistant; Mingyu Kim - Research Assistant; Sue Kim - Research Assistant; Jaewon Lee - Research Assistant; Xiuzheng Li - Research Assistant; Ting Liang - Research Assistant; Zun Liu - Research Assistant; Jiangpu Meng - Research Assistant; Sam Naylor - Research Assistant; Sudeshna Sen - Research Assistant; Joshua Stevens - Research Assistant; Abbey Wallace - Research Assistant; Zhaodi Wang - Research Assistant; Erin Yook - Research Assistant; Xin Zhong - Research Assistant; Haoyu - Research Assistant; Preston Scott Cohen - Research Collaborator; Ann Forsyth - Research Collaborator; Teresa Gali-Izard - Research Collaborator; Ali Malkawi- Research Collaborator; Holly W. Samuelson - Research Collaborator; Andres Sevtsuk - Research Collaborator; Andrew Witt - Research Collaborator

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