{"product_id":"the-london-square-todd-longstaffe-gowan-9780300152012","title":"The London Square: Gardens in the Midst of Town","description":"\u003cp\u003eModern-day London abounds with a multitude of gardens, enclosed by railings and surrounded by houses, which attest to the English love of nature. These green enclaves, known as squares, are among the most distinctive and admired features of the metropolis and are England's greatest contribution to the development of European town planning and urban form. Traditionally, inhabitants who overlooked these gated communal gardens paid for their maintenance and had special access to them. As such, they have long been synonymous with privilege, elegance, and prosperous metropolitan living. They epitomize the classical notion of \u003ci\u003erus in urbe\u003c\/i\u003e, the integration of nature within the urban plan--a concept that continues to shape cities to this day.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTodd Longstaffe-Gowan delves into the history, evolution, and social implications of squares, which have been an important element in the planning and expansion of London since the early 17th century. As an amenity that fosters health and well-being and a connection to the natural world, the square has played a crucial role in the development of the English capital.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Todd Longstaffe-Gowan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0300152019\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780300152012\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Paul Mellon Centre\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 07\/10\/2012\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 348\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 5.02lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 11.50h x 9.80w x 1.30d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eChoice\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/01\/2012\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Todd Longstaffe-Gowan","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":48447612125439,"sku":"9780300152012","price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_b7220462-9255-47b4-a8e9-1d8e300afe05.jpg?v=1777233854","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-london-square-todd-longstaffe-gowan-9780300152012","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}