“by leaves we live”

(Image: National Library of Scotland)

‘……….there is arising anew the most real and vital of all educational developments – that of starting from the local experience, seeing our world, and taking part in it……….Observe how people live and work: and this as far as may be by sharing in their work and life, from hills down to sea and back again…..So – as I have been saying all along – get beyond books, and even ball games, and into active survey, always growing and extending, of the real world around you. And seeking out, and finding out, what your life can best do to help in that, to be of service to it …..’ (Geddes) Introduction

Family home at Mount Tabor Cottage, Kinnoull Hill, Perth, Scotland

Tay Valley image used as an educational resource at the Outlook Tower,

Kinnoull Tower, an inspiration for Geddes’s Outlook Towers

Perth City within its valley section

The Naturalist’s Classroom - Perth and its hinterland inspired Geddes’s interest in the natural world during his formative school years at Perth Academy and in his youth. Located in the scenic and historical landscape of Kinnoull Hill, his family home at Mount Tabor Cottage presented the ideal outdoor laboratory for Geddes; a place from which to explore and experience Perthshire. The Tay valley and surrounding region had an enduring influence on his life, teaching and work in places such as Edinburgh, London, Paris, Cyprus, America, India and Palestine. As Geddes described it, the family cottage had the open country at its back and an urban cultural centre in front: a strategic location in a complete natural region from mountains to sea. Examples of the many Valley Section diagrams: notations, sketches, drawings and images (Source: University of Strathclyde)

The Valley Section - Geddes often used notations or as they became known ‘thinking machines’ as a means to investigate and present many of his ideas; simple and complex. An example of Geddes’s most recognised ‘thinking machine’ used throughout his life is known as the Valley Section. This particular notation was used as a means to graphically represent his observations and theories on cities and town planning. As a mapping diagram it illustrated the connectivity and interrelationship between Place - where we live, Work - what we do and Folk - who we are. It’s enduring qualities as a ‘thinking machine’ is evidence in its use and reference by many architects, planners and urbanists - past and present. Selection of Geddes’s notations: conceptual and fully developed, they became known as ‘thinking machines’ (Source: University of Strathclyde)

Notations - Hugh MacDiarmid said of Geddes that he had a profound distrust of the modern habit of ‘verbalistic empaperment’. Geddes used schematics, sketches, hand written notes and notations as a means of exploring ideas through visual thinking. The use of notations clearly demonstrates an ongoing iterative process of investigation and reflective thinking throughout Geddes’s life – ‘the perfecting of this intellectual apparatus or ‘thinking-machine’ and the mapping of the world and life and time have been the great intellectual adventures of Geddes’s life’. As his ideas developed towards real world outcomes the notations became more formalised in lectures, publications and built form. Biography

1854 Born 2 October in Ballater, Aberdeenshire

1857 Family move to Mount Tabor, Perth. Attended Perth Academy

1875-1878 Studies in London (under TH Huxley), Roscoff and Paris

1884 Publishes John Ruskin: Economist

1887 Organises first summer school meeting of art and science

1889 Appointed to Chair of Botany, University College Dundee. Publishes The Evolution of Sex (with J Arthur Thomson)

1889-91 Visits Institute de Botanique, Montpellier

1891-6 Redevelopment and conservation in , Edinburgh

1895 Founds Franco-Scottish Society

1895-6 Publishes The Evergreen: A Nothern Seasonal

1899 + 1900 Lecture tour in USA

1900 Special summer school, Paris

1904 Publishes City Development: a Study of Parks, Gardens and Cultural Institutes: A Report to the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust

1910 Civic survey of Edinburgh at Royal Academy, London

1913 Cities and Town Planning Exhibition wins gold medal at the Exposition International, Ghent. Initial design for the Edinburgh Zoo

1915 Publishes Cities in Evolution

1915-16 Planning exhibitions in India

1919 Appointed to Chair of Sociology and Civics at Bombay University. Resigns from post in Dundee. Plans Hebrew University at Jerusalem

1924 Retires to France. Founds the College des Ecossais in Montpellier

1925 Design proposals for centre of Tel Aviv

1930 Founds Indian College in Montpellier

1932 Receives knighthood in London. Dies 17 April in Montpellier

‘it is only by thinking things out as one lives them, and living things out as one thinks them, that a man or a society can really be said to think or even live at all’ (Geddes) Geddes and botany students at University College, Dundee Principal and professors at University College, Dundee (Geddes standing behind D’Arcy Thompson) (Source: University of Dundee) (Source: University of Dundee)

Geddes and friends, London (Source: University of Strathclyde)

Summer school meeting of Art and Science, Courtyard of Ramsay Garden (Source: University of Strathclyde)

Studies and Scholarship - Following a period of study under T.H.Huxley at the Royal School of Mines, London, Geddes continued his botanical and biological interests in Roscoff and Paris. His early studies included correspondence with great thinkers of the time including John Ruskin and Charles Darwin. In 1889 Geddes was appointed Chair in Botany, University College, Dundee. During this period, in partnership with J. Arthur Thomson, Geddes published ‘The Evolution of Sex’; the first of many collaborative academic activities with Thomson. Geddes’s continuing interest in the sharing and exchanging of ideas were developed to full effect in the organising of summer schools. A form of educational outreach programme; a Geddesian tradition that become a legacy for interdisciplinary practice and teaching culminating at the Scots College, Montpellier, France. Geddes commissioned design work from Mackintosh (Source: University of Strathclyde)

MacDiarmid’s ‘The Company I’ve Kept’ referenced Geddes Hugh MacDiarmid, Poet (1892-1978)

Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Architect (1868-1928)

Margaret Morris, Dancer (1891-1980)

Morris met her husband JD Fergusson in Paris and they Charles MacIntosh, Composer and Naturalist (1839-1922) spent much of their time in (Inspiration for Mr Macgregor - Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter) France. Morris taught classes Geddes wrote the introduction to the ‘A Perthshire Naturalist: Charles at Geddes’s summer schools, MacIntosh of Inver, by Henry Coates Scots College, Montpellier France. JD Fergusson, Artist (1874-1961) (Source: Culture Perth & Kinross)

Thompson, author of ‘On Growth and Form’ was a colleague of Geddes at University College, Dundee. D’Arcy W Thompson, Biologist, Mathematician Letter from Darwin to Geddes Charles Darwin, Naturalist and Geologist and Classic Scholar (1860-1948) (1809-1882) (Source: National Library of Scotland) Influences and Connections - Throughout his life Geddes contributed to other fields of study and enquiry including science, visual arts, drama, literature and above all the Scottish tradition of Generalism. This brought Geddes into contact with many influential thinkers and creative’s of the time, some of whom contributed directly to the work and ideas of Geddes such as the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The process of collaboration was fundamental to Geddes’s practice in developing such diverse interests across a broad cultural spectrum. In many projects the working partnership included family members, friends, co-operatives and professionals commissioned for specific expertise. Out with the formalities of established team work Geddes also encouraged the exchange of ideas and knowledge through organised gatherings, classes, fieldtrips and other innovative educational gatherings. The Evergreen: A Northern Seasonal (Published by Patrick Geddes and Colleagues 1895)

Master Plan of Tel Aviv 1925

City Development: A Study of Park, Gardens and Culture Institutes for the Carnegie Trust, Dunfermline 1904

Cities in Evolution 1915

Independent publications

Cities Exhibitions 1890’s-1931

Cities Exhibitions 1890’s - 1931

Dissemination - Exhibitions, reports and publishing were essential to Geddes’s working methods for engaging people and translating his ideas into actions. The Outlook Tower, Edinburgh become the focus and source for many of Geddes’s outreach activities; encouraging people to become more active citizens. This included public participation in the dramatisation of historical events known as ‘Masques of Learning’. Lecture series, travelling exhibitions and other public events contributed to the raising of public awareness and educational developments. Whilst not a prolific writer himself, Geddes’s publishing company was responsible for encouraging small independent publications. The extent of Geddes’s achievements were not only realised at a local and national level, a significant contribution towards the study of cities was recognised internationally. Legacy

Le Carré Bleu - A publication formed in 1958 to represent the views and work of a multidisiplinary group of architects, planners, designers, philosophers and poets. One of it’s founders André Schimmerling (1912-2009) was a student at the Scots College shortly after the death of Geddes. He was responsible for actively seeking the long term regeneration of the Scots College.

Lewis Mumford, Historian, Sociologist and Critic (1895-1990): Was influenced by Geddes’s humanism and sociological approach to the study of cities

Aldo van Eyck, Architect (1918-1999) Developed a programme of work for the reuse of vacant and derelict land to create children’s playgrounds in Amsterdam.

The work of the Smithsons included reference to Geddes’s Valley Section

Architecture and Planning - Geddes’s most significant and enduring contribution to a progressive generalist tradition has been the study and practice of town planning; exemplified in the seminal publication Cities in Evolution (1815). As a founding father of modern town planning Geddes’s legacy influenced urban theory, architecture, planning and community empowerment initiatives e.g. Charrettes and Stalled Spaces. Many influential thinkers and writers of the 20th century including the American historian Lewis Mumford were greatly inspired by Geddes. Members of Team 10, a post war generation of architects and planners including the Smithsons, Aldo van Eyck, Ralph Erskine and Giancarlo De Carlo were clearly influenced by Geddes. A three dimensional ‘Thinking Machine’ used for an exhibition

Acknowledgement by academics and practitioners of Geddes’s legacy

Community empowerment through the use of design workshops known as ‘Charrettes’

Perth City Study: exhibition and contrasting city plans of Perth by Youth Group and planners. A project guided by Geddes’s approach to reading the city through the process of survey, analysis and plan. Community participation Exhibitions and conferences relating to Geddes’s including workshops with a local youth group made a positive contribution to the project. work continues to the present day

‘So what are you going to do...... to create?’ (Geddes) Edinburgh’s Old Town

Geddes’s Edinburgh (Source: University of Strathclyde) Patrick Geddes (Source: University of Strathclyde)

Survey plan of open spaces (Source: University of Strathclyde) Edinburgh’s Old Town - In response to poor social conditions, witnessed firsthand by Geddes around the old town, a series of vacant land improvement schemes were initiated. The focus for such action was the local inhabitants - a form of citizen’s empowerment for utilising waste and redundant ground for use as allotments, education and communal amenity spaces. In 1888 Geddes established the Environment Society, later to become the Edinburgh Social Union. Garden plans and projects, many of which were organised by his daughter Norah in partnership with her husband Sir Frank Mears, transformed derelict back land areas into useful and productive community spaces. The projects were in many ways forerunners to Geddes’ work in India. Garden plans and projects, many of which were designed with the interests and well being of children in mind (Source: University of Strathclyde) Edinburgh Old Town Projects - gardens and playgrounds (Source: University of Strathclyde) Edinburgh Old Town Projects - gardens and playgrounds (Source: University of Strathclyde) Edinburgh Old Town Projects - gardens and playgrounds (Source: University of Strathclyde) Edinburgh Old Town Projects - gardens and playgrounds (Source: University of Strathclyde) Edinburgh Old Town Projects - gardens and playgrounds (Source: University of Strathclyde) Edinburgh Old Town Projects - gardens and playgrounds (Source: University of Strathclyde) Edinburgh Old Town Projects - Plan and Schematic (Source: University of Strathclyde)

Edinburgh Old Town Projects - Newspaper Report (Source: University of Strathclyde) Plan drawings and details of garden projects (Source: University of Strathclyde) Riddle’s Court, Edinburgh

In the mid 1800’s Riddle’s Court was in decline as a direct consequence of radical city centre improvements with the construction of Victoria Terrace and Street

Social life at Riddle’s Court early 1900’s (Source: Scottish Historic Buildings Trust)

Geddes’s University Hall motto inscribed above the entrance to Riddle’s Court - VIVENDO DISCIMUS – ‘By Living We Learn’ (Source: Scottish Historic Buildings Trust)

Riddle’s Court today (Source: Scottish Historic Buildings Trust)

Riddle’s Court, Edinburgh - Geddes’s academic interests went far beyond the abstract study and scientific observation of social conditions. Edinburgh’s Old Town provided the opportunity to test and evolve many aspects of civic activism advocated by Geddes. Through the process of adapt and re- use Geddes embarked upon a series of building projects utilising dilapidated and redundant buildings. The practical application of a conservation and regeneration approach to architecture and planning was initiated at Riddle’s Court. Acquired by Geddes in 1889 it was developed for use as halls of residence for University students where the first of many summer schools were established. It is currently being re-developed as The Patrick Geddes Centre by the Scottish Historic Building’s Trust. Riddle’s Court from Victoria Terrace (Source: Scottish Historic Buildings Trust)

LDN Architects

Painted ceiling in the room used by students of Geddes’s University Hall as their dining room (Source: Scottish Historic Buildings Trust) LDN Architects

Proposed Patrick Geddes Centre by the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust. First floor plan and sectional perspective showing a range of public spaces and uses

(Source: LDN Architects) Ramsay Garden, Edinburgh

Etching of Ramsay Garden - University Hall Public notice for various lodging accommodation available at Geddes’s University Hall

Ramsay Garden was the first student accommodation hostel in Scotland General arrangement plans for ground and first floor co-operative apartments The entire fourth floor was occupied by the Geddes family

Ramsay Garden, Edinburgh - Between 1890-1893 Geddes continued the Old Town rehabilitation programme with another urban renewal project at Ramsay Garden; formally the home of Allan Ramsay, Poet (1684-1758). Geddes organised a phased development of alterations and significant additions to the original building in order to provide a variety of apartments, student accommodation and communal spaces. A pioneering project of its time; Geddes and has family lived at Ramsay Garden. As with the other built projects realised by Geddes, Ramsay Garden exemplifies a commitment and belief in direct action and the role and responsibility of active citizenship. Ramsay Garden viewed from

Architectural detailing representative of Scottish Arts and Crafts

Internal view from within the courtyard

Memorial Plaque The Outlook Tower, Edinburgh

Sketch of the Outlook Tower, drawn by Patrick Geddes (Source: University of Strathclyde)

Blueprint of the design of Galeron’s ‘Hollow Celestial Sphere’ (Source: University of Strathclyde)

A diagrammatic elevation of the Outlook Tower with an indication of uses within each storey (Source: University of Strathclyde)

Photograph of a prototype of the ‘Hollow Celestial Sphere’, exhibited at the Outlook Tower in the 1900s, designed and The Outlook Tower 1892 executed by the French architect and astronomer Paul Louis (Source: University of Strathclyde) Albert Galeron (Source: University of Strathclyde)

The Outlook Tower, Edinburgh - Described as both a real building and an idea, this project realised many of Geddes’s preoccupations and aspirations. Considered by some as the first laboratory of civics in the world, the Outlook Tower was a base camp for Geddes’s town planning activities home and abroad. From its conception it was also a centre for many public events and activities; lectures, exhibitions and innovative summer school meetings. With its multi levels and layers of Geddesian thinking embedded in its fabric it culminated with a camera obscura and terrace offering panoramic views of Edinburgh and beyond. The building was a testimony to Geddes’s fortitude and persistence as an active citizen – ‘the maker of practical dreams’. Selection of Geddes’s preliminary notations and publications for visitors to the Outlook Tower (Source: University of Strathclyde) Biology Room Edinburgh Room (Source: University of Edinburgh) (Source: University of Edinburgh)

Anna, Geddes’s wife in the biology Outlook Tower pamphlet (Source: University of Strathclyde) room (Source: University of Strathclyde) Edinburgh Room (Source: University of Edinburgh) Examples of the range and type of events and activities organised by the Outlook Tower (Source: University of Strathclyde) View from the Outlook Tower The Outlook Tower 2016 India and Beyond

Geddes with Bombay Students Geddes as an Indian Guru, Bombay 1923 (Source: University of Strathclyde) (Source: University of Strathclyde)

Geddes in Indore 1919 (Source: University of Strathclyde)

India and Beyond - Between 1914 and 1919 Geddes was commissioned both by British Governors and Indian Rulers to report on town planning aspects of many Indian cities; including Calcutta, Dacca, Indore, Lahore, Madras and Balrampur. In 1919 Geddes was appointed to the Chair in Sociology and Civics at Bombay University. During this period Geddes’s reputation as a planner was internationally recognised and he was commissioned to develop a masterplan for the Hebrew University at Jerusalem. The experiences and lessons leant from Edinburgh‘s renewal projects informed a proactive planning approach that would evolve into innovative urban regeneration proposals employing Geddes’s planning methods of ‘diagnostic survey’ and ‘conservative surgery’. These approaches to city development were also influential in his later work for the 1925 Tel Aviv masterplan. Design proposal for open space in an Indian city (Source: University of Strathclyde) Existing

Proposed

Photographs from Geddes’s town planning reports in India

Conservative Surgery (urban conservation – regeneration) as proposed by Geddes in part of Balrampur 1927 Diagrams illustrating Geddes’s conservative surgery

Plans illustrating Geddes’s conservative surgery

A. Portion of Tanjore Fort. The Municipal Council’s proposals for the relief of congestion - Cost approximately Rs 30,000 B. Portion of Tanjore Fort. A ‘diagnostic survey’ C. Portion of Tanjore Fort. The congested area as it would appear after the application of ‘conservative surgery’ - Cost approximately Rs 5,000 Jaqueline Tyrwhitt’s publication on Geddes’s work in India Farewell gathering for Geddes, Bombay’s first Professor of Civics and Sociology, 1923

Indian illustration depicting Geddes’s Pageant - Maharaja for a day

Geddes in Perth Day, April 1996 - George Wyllie’s local community work- shop built a white elephant celebrating Geddes as a Maharaja for a day! Presentation drawings of Hebrew University in Jerusalem

Model of the proposed Hebrew University in Jerusalem

Hebrew University in Jerusalem - Masterplan

View of the University Campus

Tel Aviv, a modern city influenced by Geddes’s progressive Garden-City ideals

Geddes’s plan of Tel Aviv - 1925 The Scots College, Montpellier, France

Scots College under construction (Source: University of Strathclyde)

Patrick Geddes at the Scots College 1929 (Source: University of Strathclyde)

Scots College completed - phase 1 (Source: University of Strathclyde) Patrick Geddes and Elisée Reclus at the Scots College (Source: University of Strathclyde)

Scots College in it’s Montpellier setting (Source: University of Strathclyde)

The Scots College, Montpellier, France - A final project founded in 1924 by Geddes to establish a centre for international activities and events including summer schools, teaching, gatherings and reflection. Montpellier was well known to Geddes through personal contacts and its renowned medical faculty and botanical garden. Many scholars and students attended the college throughout its active life including the french geographer, writer and anarchist Elisée Reclus. The plan was ambitious and representative of Geddes life work and included other institutions such as the Indian College (realised in 1930) and the American College (unrealised). The buildings were set within a symbolic landscaped ‘botanical’ garden designed by Geddes. After Geddes’s death in 1932 the college went through many challenges and not until the late 1990’s did some recognition of its importance emerge. In 2013, following a campaign to protect the site, it was given conservation status as a site of cultural significance. Scots College under construction (Source: University of Strathclyde)

Scots College under construction (Source: University of Strathclyde) Scots College information pamphlet (Source: University of Strathclyde)

Scots College and Gardens (Source: University of Strathclyde) Scots College Gardens (Source: University of Strathclyde) Scots College in 1998

Situation Plan

Valley Section Motif

Scots College Gardens

Scots College facade with Geddes’s ‘Three Doves’ relief symbolising ‘Sympathy, Synthesis and Synergy’ Scots College Outlook Tower

The Indian College Scots College was embellished with many of Geddes’s notations

The Scots College reflected Geddes’s interest in traditional Scottish Architecture

Decorative Motif Approach to the Scots College, with it’s castle like qualities of the Outlook Tower

Philosophers Avenue within the Symbolic Gardens

Stone Motif with the inscription ‘Vivendo Discimus’ - ‘by Living we Learn’