{"product_id":"concrete-changes","title":"Concrete Changes","description":"From the 1950s to the end of the twentieth century, Boston transformed from a city in freefall into a thriving metropolis, as modern glass skyscrapers sprouted up in the midst of iconic brick rowhouses. After decades of corruption and graft, a new generation of politicians swept into office, seeking to revitalize Boston through large-scale urban renewal projects. The most important of these was a new city hall, which they hoped would project a bold vision of civic participation. The massive Brutalist building that was unveiled in 1962 stands apart - emblematic of the city's rebirth through avant-garde design.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd yet Boston City Hall frequently ranks among the country's ugliest buildings. Concrete Changes seeks to answer a common question for contemporary viewers: How did this happen? In a lively narrative filled with big personalities and newspaper accounts, Brian M. Sirman argues that this structure is more than a symbol of Boston's modernization; it acted as a catalyst for political, social, and economic change.","brand":"University of Massachusetts Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55324867756376,"sku":"9781625343574","price":25.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/1295\/4195\/files\/9781625343574.jpg?v=1777137322","url":"https:\/\/agendabookshop.com\/products\/concrete-changes","provider":"Agenda Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}