The man who saved Edinburgh's Old Town - Scottish Architecture News

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The man who saved Edinburgh's Old Town

Archiseek / UK / Scotland / News / 2005 / November 2

Sir Patrick Geddes

Scots sociologist Sir Patrick Geddes remains, inexplicably, little recognised in Scotland for his achievements as the so-called father of modern town planning. Feted in his day by the likes of Albert Einstein and Charles Darwin, Geddes continues to influence millions of city-dwellers over 150 years after his death. Best known for redefining - some would say inventing - the concept of modern town planning, many claim today that Geddes has been overlooked as one of the most important thinkers of the Victorian era. But the zoologist, botanist and eventual philanthropist's abiding contribution to history remains the regeneration and conservation of Edinburgh's Old Town.

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