Professor William Mitchell, a professor of ‘Architecture and Media Arts and Science in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’, has written the book called “City of Bits”, which deals with the relationship among internet, architecture and the urban planning. It is a handy book for any one who wants to know some basic elements about the interrelation of these three different, but some how interrelated subjects. As the dean of the School of Architecture and Planning, he is the ideal candidate of writing such a book.
As a review, it can be stated that in the book, the writer fails to deal with the inter-relationship of internet and architecture in much detail. There are not many details in the book for the readers who are already very fluent in using the internet. In addition, the book lacks in important aspects, like, how one can use the internet in drawing the virtual landscapes. This is an important element of modern architecture and the book should have covered this aspect. However, the book has its strong aspects too. The book is compact and short. The writer talks about number of internet based applications that help architecture and urban planning in modern days. May be, the traditional readers will not like Mitchell’s style as they might complain that the book is too easy, and may be, “breezy”. However, the book will be a treat for the new internet users who are thinking to take up architecture. In addition, the book is cheap by today’s standards. It will surely introduce the readers about the manner new developments in technology can change our lives.
The summary of the book is simple. It states that although electronic communication is developing in a rapid pace in recent times, still direct and interpersonal communication is preferred mode in any cases. However, they cannot replace each other completely. In the age of Globalization, electronic communication is an important communication system, and in some cases, it is the only option. Generally, and traditionally, architecture was concerned to buildings and other construction works, but now; it also applies in the sphere of making the electrical connections. With the help of computers, one can make various types of architectural models that can surely enhance the study of architecture. The progression in technology has also changed the way the studies were conducted. Now, all the studies are mainly based on the computer applications.
In the age of computers every thing is getting changed or even going through a transformation process. From entertainment to the prison system, from accounting to library work, every thing is now concerned with the proper use of computers. The invention, and up gradation, of computers is probably the most important social element after the Industrial Revolution. Many works of a man, which were essentially outdoor based and oriented, are changing its main nature, and becoming centred to our homes. Now, with the help of computers, we can shop from home. We can also do the necessary banking from the home. In the concluding scrutiny, we can say that the computers are an integral part of the modern life and they are making life simpler in many cases.
In the final analysis, we can say that, internet is one of the backbones of the modern society, and it can be applied to all the aspects and spheres of our life. The author does a commendable effort to show the importance of it in the book.