The Historico-Geographical Approach to Urban Morphology

This chapter addresses the fundamental developments of the historico-geographical approach over the last 30 years. After considering the central role of MRG Conzen, JWR Whitehand and the Urban Morphology Research Group (UMRG) in the conception and refinement of this framework for understanding the structure of urban landscapes, the chapter explores the advances in the main historico-geographical concepts and methods. In addition, it discusses the way knowledge on the physical form of human settlements can be communicated, namely in urban morphological courses, and the way description and explanation of urban form can be translated into prescription supporting planning, urban design, and architecture.