The spell of the vanished urban center is a phenomenon that captivates the imagination and stirs curiosity. It refers to the enchantment that a city or town, once vibrant and bustling, can cast on those who witness its remnants in the present day. These vanished urban centers were once thriving hubs of activity, achieving great heights of civilization and advancement, only to eventually decline and disappear. One of the most striking aspects of these vanished urban centers is the apparent contradiction they pose. How is it possible for a once flourishing city to become lost and forgotten? The answer, often, lies in the unpredictable nature of history. Factors such as natural disasters, invasions, or economic collapse can contribute to the decline of a city, ultimately leading to its abandonment.
“A stunning debut full of vivid writing, A Map for the Missing reminds you of exactly why we read in the first place. Through the expertly drawn and utterly original characters of Yitian and Hanwen, Belinda Huijuan Tang confronts how history, mobility, memory, and desire all intertwine in our perpetual search for peace. From the campus of an elite American university to the countryside of Cultural Revolutionary China, Tang confidently and artfully paints a complex and vast world that is both ethereal and familiar, characters concurrently exacting and reckless. The result is a novel that explores the bittersweetness of returns and the ultimate healing behind coming home.” —Xochitl Gonzalez, author of Olga Dies Dreaming
Through this narrative of love, familial duty, the costs of charting one s own path and the enduring allure of paths not taken, Belinda Huijuan Tang proves herself to be the best kind of storyteller one who writes with heart and courage. 3 On the 6th, however, the students were given a break from this spell and instead were given a long and difficult essay on the Inanimatus Conjurus Spell.
Factors such as natural disasters, invasions, or economic collapse can contribute to the decline of a city, ultimately leading to its abandonment. Walking through the streets of a vanished urban center, one cannot help but feel a sense of nostalgia and awe. The remnants of buildings, streets, and infrastructure stand as silent witnesses to the city's past glory.
The Missing Middle
Downtown Toronto has a dense core of tall, glassy buildings along the waterfront of Lake Ontario. Outside of that, lots short single family homes sprawl out in every direction. Residents looking for something in between an expensive house and a condo in a tall, generic tower struggle to find places to live. There just aren’t a lot of these mid-sized rental buildings in the city.
And it’s not just Toronto — a similar architectural void can be found in many other North American cities, like Los Angeles, Seattle, Boston and Vancouver. And this is a big concern for urban planners — so big, there’s a term for it. The “missing middle.” That moniker can be confusing, because it’s not directly about middle class housing — rather, it’s about a specific range of building sizes and typologies, including: duplexes, triplexes, courtyard buildings, multi-story apartment complexes, the list goes on. Buildings like these have an outsized effect on cities, and cities without enough of these kinds of buildings often suffer from their absence.
For starters, cities with lots of “middle housing” offer more rental options, and tend to be more affordable as well. Meanwhile, cities without middle housing tend to be harder for pretty much everyone except the wealthy — they also tend to be more segregated. So it’s easy to see why there’s some conflation between the “missing middle” and a lack of “middle income” housing options – because these two concepts are absolutely related.
From grand palaces and temples to humble dwellings and shops, each structure tells a story of the lives once lived within its walls. As we explore these vanished urban centers, we are often reminded of the transient and fragile nature of human civilization. We are confronted with the impermanence of our own creations and the reminder that, in the grand scheme of things, even the most prosperous and bustling cities can be subject to the passage of time. However, amidst the ruins and traces of the past, there is also a sense of fascination and wonder. The spell of the vanished urban center lies in its ability to transport us to another time and place. It allows us to imagine the lives of those who once walked these streets, to envision the sights and sounds that filled the air, and to appreciate the accomplishments of our ancestors. In many cases, efforts are made to preserve and study these vanished urban centers, as they offer a unique glimpse into the past. Archaeologists, historians, and anthropologists work together to piece together the puzzle of these lost cities, shedding light on the civilizations that once thrived there. Thus, the spell of the vanished urban center continues to captivate the imagination of people around the world. It serves as a reminder of the ebb and flow of human history, the transitory nature of our achievements, and the enduring quest to understand the past. In its spell, we find both a solemn reflection on the fragility of civilization and a celebration of the resilience of human creativity and spirit..
Reviews for "Forgotten Wonders: The Magic of a Vanished Urban Center"
- John Doe - 1 star - I found "Spell of the vanished urban center" to be incredibly boring and confusing. The story lacked any clear direction or purpose, and I struggled to stay engaged throughout. The characters felt flat and unrelatable, and the writing style was overly verbose and self-indulgent. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and enjoyable read.
- Sarah Smith - 2 stars - While the concept of "Spell of the vanished urban center" had potential, I found the execution to be underwhelming. The pacing was incredibly slow, and it took me a long time to become invested in the story. Additionally, the world-building felt shallow and unconvincing, with a lack of attention to detail that left me feeling unsatisfied. While there were some interesting moments, overall, I was left feeling disappointed and wanting more.
- James Johnson - 1.5 stars - "Spell of the vanished urban center" was a major letdown for me. The plot felt disjointed and confusing, with too many subplots that didn't come together cohesively. The characters were poorly developed, and their motivations were unclear. The writing style was also a hindrance, often becoming unnecessarily verbose and convoluted. Overall, I struggled to connect with this book and would advise others to approach with caution.