Paul N. Balchin

Jean Chen

David Isaac

A Global Perspective

Urban Economics

Providing a comprehensive account of one of the most formative historical periods, this book uniquely describes Renaissance architecture as the physical manifestation of economic, social and political change. Shifts in architectural style and design are described in parallel with Italy’s economic and demographic growth, external and internal conflict and the evolution of urban and regional government. Urban Development in Renaissance Italy covers the full extent of the Renaissance period, charting the era’s medieval roots and its transformation into Mannerist and Baroque tendencies. Encompassing Palermo and Naples, the book fully covers northern, central and southern Italy, surpassing the conventional literature that tends to focus solely on northern Italy. Transforming medieval towns into city states, Renaissance governments invested heavily in developing the built environment to create a sense of awe and civic pride; while aristocratic dynasties, bankers and merchants commissioned sumptuous properties as a means of expressing their wealth and position in society; and holy orders built imposing churches to extend their influence. Architecture and planning, it is argued by Dr Paul Balchin provided a clear and significant path to political and economic power. It is within this context that the centre of political and economic gravity shifted over time within Italy from the republic of Venice in the 14th century to Medici Florence in the 15th century, and on to Papal Rome in the 16th and early 17th centuries.

Urban Development in Renaissance Italy

Originally published in 2019, this book provides a comprehensive account of a formative historical period, uniquely describing Renaissance architecture as the physical manifestation of political and economic change. The book illustrates how shifts in architectural style and design were paralleled with Northern and Central Italy’s external and internal conflicts, the evolution of urban and regional government, and economic and demographic growth. Covering the full extent of the Renaissance period, Balchin charts the era’s medieval roots and its transformation into Mannerist and Baroque tendencies. He demonstrates how developments in architecture and planning were inextricably linked to political and economic power, and how these relationships shifted from city to city over time.

During the Renaissance

The Development of Cities in Northern and Central Italy

Originally published in 1990, this book examines the extent to which the ‘north-south divide’ in the UK has been a reality in recent years. It also reveals the degree to which the gap between the two parts of Britain has worsened. An issue of enduring relevance, particularly given the political drive to ‘level up’ the regions, the book focusses particularly on the 1980s, a period when regional assistance became a victim of both monetarism and free market ideology. The book reviews legislation and considers whether regional policy has been effective and consistent. To widen the debate, the author questions some common assumptions about regional imbalance, and argues that intraregional disparities and the plight of Inner London were causes of concern no less serious than the problem of the north-south imbalance.

Paul N. Balchin

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