About Lithuanian Historical Architecture and New Urban Changes
Almantas Samalavičius. Architecture and Urbanism: Essays in History and Aesthetics. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2019. 195 p. ISBN 978-1-5275-2228-2
The review discusses the book by professor Almantas Samalavičius “Lithuanian Architecture and Urbanism: Essays in History and Aesthetics” published in United Kingdom. The reviewer analyzes what essential problems and in what way the author discusses, and also sheds light on historical and cultural dimension with which the author of the book approaches his subjects. Reviewer stresses author’s critical attitude toward urban development of Lithuanian cities (especially Vilnius) during last three decades and analyzes his critical view of concentration of high-rise buildings on Konstitucijos Avenue in Vilnius as well as vertical development of central urban zones. The aesthetic erosion of Vilnius cityscape as presented by the book’s author is discussed. The reviewer concludes that the author of the book shares some conceptual attitudes with humanistic concept of the city offered by American urban historian and critic Lewis Mumford.
Key Words: Lietuvos architektūra, barokas, miestovaizdis, viešosios erdvės
