Book by UTSC Geographer Gains International Acclaim

Toronto - In July, The Making of Urban Japan: Cities and Planning from Edo to the 21st Century (London: Routledge, 2002), by Andre Sorensen, assistant professor in UTSC's department of social sciences, received the International Planning History Society book prize for the most innovative book in planning history written in English and based on original, new research.

The International Planning History Society endeavours to foster the study of planning history worldwide. It seeks to advance scholarship in the fields of urbanism, history, planning and the environment, focusing particularly on cities from the late nineteenth century.

The prize, among two instituted to recognise research excellence in planning history, was announced at the society's biennial conference in Barcelona, Spain.

A paperback edition of Sorensen's book was released in May of2004.

To read about more award-winners at UTSC, visit:
www.utsc.utoronto.ca/news/news_stories/awardwinners.html

Reviews:

Andre Sorensen has written a very important book. More miserably in providing than any English language study now available, it unlocks a major puzzle in understanding modern Japan - why has a country that has excelled at industry and efficiency in its economy (and transport systems) failed so miserably work'in providing a high urban quality of life for its citizens? ... A very well written work’

- Urban Studies, Vol. 40, No. 8, July 2003

This book should establish itself as the first port of call for both students and scholars embarking on a study of Japanese urbanism and planning history. The author's special skill lies in his ability to unravel the detail of Japanese planning while holding onto the broader historical context of social change ... a highly sophisticated work

- Environment and Planning C/Government & Policy Vol. 21, No. 6, 2003

Meticulously researched and impressively presented... a tremendous resource for the serious scholar.’

- Geographical Association

For more information contact:

info@utsc.utoronto.ca