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Semiotics in architecture

Daniel Brooke explores four cities that have become - each in its own time - batteries of the most advanced, new and tenacious that the world of that time could offer. St. Petersburg, Mumbai, Shanghai and Dubai are cities where a breakthrough began from old to new, from coarse to advanced, from conservative to cosmopolitan. The landmark architecture of these cities embodies this breakthrough - whether it is a magnificent palace built with an eye to the best churches in Europe, mass housing from local limestone or a copy of a skyscraper from another country in two copies at once. This is a fascinating architectural guide to the ambitions, aspirations and hopes of the four megalopolises.