Towns have undergone dramatic and rapid change over the last
century. Declining historic cores are surrounded by sprawling low-density
housing, industrial and retail estates. The character and sense of place at the
heart of rural towns and villages is under threat. By drawing people away from
town centres, these developments erode the sense of community and public life.





This book demonstrates how contemporary architecture,
community engagement and thoughtful urban design can contribute to the creation
of thriving small communities. It addresses a lack of inspiration and ideas for
architects and designers working in small communities and promotes a character-based
approach to designing and planning 21st century towns.