Commonplace

A Commonplace Book is a compilation of knowledge as an aid for remembering useful concepts and facts, which was popularised in Great Britain during the 17th Century.

This Commonplace Book contains a series of short think-pieces based on books, articles and presentations produced by others. Many of these were not originally focused on street design, but they have all been re-worked such that they are more relevant to me and my profession. Therefore, although they rely heavily on the original work on which they are based, each think-piece does not necessarily continue to represent the original author’s views.

An Introduction | Oli Davey
On my first day of my Civil Engineering degree the head of the course explained to us students that we would never again see the world the same way. The knowledge that we were about to gain would mean that even a simple trip along a motorway would have us pondering whether a motorway bridge, something that had probably not been of much interest to us before, was supported by a Parker Through Truss or a Warren Pony Truss. I didn’t realise it at the time, but the implications behind this comment have helped to explain my enthusiasm for cities and, in particular, the streets and other public spaces that form them.

The idea that greater understanding brings with it a different perspective of the world is an incredibly appealing one. It is not simply the case that deeper understanding brings increased clarity through greater detail – it is not just a case of zooming further and further in on a subject. Rather greater insight can bring a fundamental shift in the way that we view things. To think that there is an almost inexhaustible amount of knowledge, in all of its various forms, waiting to completely change the way that we see the world is an incredibly exciting prospect. The contents of that book I’m planning to read tonight may mean that when I wake up tomorrow the world will never be the same again. Only time and our own apathy can limit us.

Jane Jacobs wrote about this over 50 years ago, and did so far more eloquently than I ever could:

"The leaves dropping from the trees in the autumn, the interior of an aeroplane engine, the entrails of a dissected rabbit, the city desk of a newspaper, all appear to be chaos if they are seen without comprehension. Once they are understood as systems of order, they actually look different".

The workings of cities seem to provide a particularly abundant and compelling subject matter, one that goes right to the heart of so many of the challenges facing mankind. This Commonplace Book is an attempt to capture some of this knowledge that has helped to change the way that I see the world.